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Home Recipes Appetizers
★★★★★ 5 from 2 Reviews

Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball

15 mins
Avatar by: Lindsay Grimes
December 13, 2019 (Updated: December 12, 2019)
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Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball
Whip up this Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball for your next holiday party or potluck! It’s loaded with flavors and takes only five ingredients to make!

I don’t know where I first saw a cheese ball, but I remember falling in love it with. A ball of cheese?! Sign this girl up!!

I love the flavors of this because there’s something about the toasty pecans and rosemary and sweet dried cranberries that just scream holidays. It’s the most gorgeous centerpiece for your charcuterie board or cheese plate. It adds a fun and festive homemade touch to any holiday party.

It also makes for a super 15 minute easy peasy potluck recipe if you’re in need of a simple appetizer that pretty much everyone will love. I kinda feel like this cheese ball should be displayed on a cake stand. I feel like it needs to be the centerpiece of some epic display of cheesey amazingness. It’s one of those things that has guests being all like “oooo have you tried the cheese ball?!”It’ll be the talk of the party, I tell ya!

Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball

I have to admit, I’ not totally thrilled with these pictures. I feel like it’s so busy and you can’t really see what’s happening. With the home renos happening I’m working with limited space, so maybe I’ll be updating the pics and deleting this post in a few weeks or months down the line. But for now, you’re stuck with these pictures which aren’t totally terrible but aren’t totally awesome so let’s make this Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball!!

First, warm the cream cheese in the microwave for about 30 seconds. I found that warm cream cheese was easiest to mix everything together and incorporate the goodies throughout the ball.

Also, toast up your pecans. This isn’t necessary to the recipe, but it adds a fun toasty depth to the flavors. Just place them in a pan over medium-low heat, shaking and stirring them frequently for about 5 – 7 minutes or until they are golden and fragrant.

Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball

Add the shredded Gruyere, toasted pecans, dried cranberries, and chopped rosemary to the bowl with the cream cheese. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together until the ingredients are combined.

In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups of pecans and 2 cups of cranberries, and rosemary. Stir to combined. Place a little scoop onto your plate and transfer the cheese ball to the plate. Use your hands to press the pecan and cranberry mixture into the ball. If needed, pick the ball up to form it and press the outside goodies onto the outside.

Place back on the center of the plate and serve with your favorite veggies and crackers!

Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball

Did you make this? Leave a review below and tag me on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest!

Recipe

Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball

Whip up this Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball for your next holiday party or potluck! It’s loaded with flavors and takes only five ingredients to make!

AvatarRecipe by:Lindsay Grimes
★★★★★ 5 from 2 reviews
Prep: 15 minTotal: 15 minutes
Print recipe Rate recipe Pin Save recipe
Servings: serves 16 1x

Ingredients

  • 16 oz (2 x 8 oz blocks) cream cheese
  • 3 cups chopped pecans, toasted
  • 3 cups dried cranberries
  • 2 cups shredded Gruyere cheese
  • 2 tablespoons chopped rosemary

Instructions

  1. Warm the cream cheese in the microwave for about 30 seconds. I found that warm cream cheese was easiest to mix everything together and incorporate the goodies throughout the cheese ball.
  2. Toast up your pecans. Place them in a pan over medium-low heat, shaking and stirring them frequently for about 5 – 7 minutes or until they are golden and fragrant.
  3. Add 1 cup of toasted pecans, 1 cup of dried cranberries, shredded Gruyere, and 1 tablespoon chopped rosemary to the bowl with the cream cheese.
  4. Use a rubber spatula to fold everything together until the ingredients are combined.
  5. In a separate bowl, combine the remaining 2 cups of pecans and 2 cups of cranberries, and remaining 1 tablespoon rosemary. Stir to combine.
  6. Place a little scoop of the pecan/cranberry mixture onto your plate and transfer the cheese ball on top.
  7. Use your hands to press the rest of the pecan/cranberry mixture into the ball. If needed, pick the ball up to form it and press the outside goodies onto the outside.
  8. Once completely coated with the pecans and cranberries, place the ball back on the center of the plate and serve with your favorite veggies and crackers!

Tips

If making ahead, allow to sit out for 20 – 30 minutes at room temperature before serving.

© The Toasted Pine Nut

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Enjoy!! xo

Whip up this Cranberry Pecan Christmas Cheese Ball for your next holiday party or potluck! It's loaded with flavors and takes only five ingredients to make! thetoastedpinenut.com #thetoastedpinenut #cheeseball #appetizer #holidayappetizer #christmasappetizer #cheeseplate

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Reader Interactions

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If you love this recipe it would mean SO MUCH to me if you give it a star rating and leave a comment about it. Not only do I love basking in the glory of your recipe love, but (perhaps more importantly 😋) it helps other readers find my recipes online. Thanks so much for your feedback!!

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Recipe rating ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆ ★☆

  1. AvatarDB says

    Posted on 12/20/20 at 12:36 pm

    This is so simple yet elegant. Thank you

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 12/21/20 at 9:11 am

      It’s such a fun festive treat! Enjoy!! xo

      Reply
  2. AvatarDeborah says

    Posted on 12/6/21 at 3:17 am

    This is seriously DELIGHTFUL !!!!
    THANK YOU !!!!

    ★★★★★

    Reply
    • AvatarLindsay Grimes Freedman says

      Posted on 12/7/21 at 12:29 pm

      Yay! I’m so happy you loved them! xo

      Reply

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Lindsay

Hi Friend!

I'm Lindsay I love sharing simple, better-for-you recipes. When I'm not in the kitchen, you can find me at the beach watching my kids boogie board and soaking in that warm Cali sun (with sunscreen, of course).

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