Name: Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 20 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 8 ounces cream cheese; 1 cup white sharp cheddar cheese, shredded; ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped; ½ cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted; ¼ cup chives or green onions, chopped; ½ teaspoon garlic powder; ½ cup dried cranberries, chopped; ½ cup Fisher’s Nuts pecans, chopped and toasted; 2 tablespoons chives, chopped

There’s something so inviting about the sweet-tart burst of cranberries paired with the rich creaminess of cheese and the satisfying crunch of pecans. This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe is exactly that festive crowd-pleaser you want at any gathering — easy yet so full of flavor and texture that no one will stop snacking.

The image shows a round cheese ball with three visible layers: the inside creamy white cheese with small bits of dark dried fruit mixed in, a middle layer covered in chopped green herbs, and an outer layer coated in a mix of bright red dried cranberries and brown pecan pieces. The cheese ball sits in the center of a white plate, surrounded by a neat ring of light golden, round crackers with small holes. The background surface is a white marbled texture. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to admit, the first time I made this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe, I was hosting a holiday party and wanted something festive but simple. The combination of sharp cheddar, cream cheese, sweet cranberries, and toasted pecans was a total hit — everyone begged for the recipe. It’s a perfect balance of creamy, savory, sweet, and crunchy.

Easy Prep: You only need a few ingredients and about 15 minutes to whip it all together — perfect for last-minute hosting.
Flavorful Contrast: The mix of creamy, sharp, sweet, and nutty elements creates a dynamic bite every time.
Customizable: You can swap ingredients like chives or use different nuts to suit your taste or dietary needs.
Great Presentation: Rolling the cheese ball in cranberries and pecans not only tastes amazing but looks stunning on a platter.

A round cheese ball covered in a mix of chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and green herbs sits in the center of a white plate. The cheese ball itself is creamy white, with the nuts and dried fruit adding rich brown, deep red, and green colors to its rough texture. Around the cheese ball is a neat circle of light golden-brown crackers, each with a smooth and slightly shiny surface. The plate rests on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

The beauty of the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe lies in its simple, quality ingredients that complement each other perfectly. Each component plays a vital role in texture and flavor harmony.

Flat lay of a small block of fresh cream cheese, a neat pile of shredded white sharp cheddar cheese, a small white ceramic bowl of chopped dried cranberries, a small white ceramic bowl of toasted chopped pecans, a small bunch of vibrant green chopped chives, and a small white ceramic bowl of fine garlic powder, all arranged symmetrically on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Cream Cheese: This is the creamy base that holds everything together. Use full-fat for the best texture and flavor.
Sharp White Cheddar Cheese: Adds a tangy, slightly nutty bite that balances the sweetness of the cranberries.
Dried Cranberries: Chop them finely; they bring a juicy sweetness and slight chew that contrasts beautifully with the cheese.
Pecans: Toast these to bring out their natural oils and crunch, enhancing the nutty aroma and texture.
Chives or Green Onions: Fresh and mild onion flavor that keeps the mix bright and fresh tasting.
Garlic Powder: Adds depth and a little savory warmth without overpowering the other ingredients.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of my favorite things about this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe is how easy it is to customize. I sometimes swap out chives for fresh thyme during the fall, which adds a lovely herbal note. You can also experiment with different nuts — like walnuts or almonds — or add a little heat with cayenne if you want a spicy kick.

Variation: Once, for a Christmas party, I added finely chopped dried apricots along with the cranberries, which added a fresh twist and deeper sweetness everyone adored.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe

Step 1: Toast those pecans to perfection

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Spread the chopped pecans out on a baking tray in a single layer. Toast them for about 5 minutes or until you can smell their nutty aroma — that scent tells you they’re ready! Keep a close eye because nuts can burn quickly. Let them cool while you prep the rest.

Step 2: Mix the creamy base

In a large bowl, beat your softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Then mix in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese, half of your toasted pecans, half the chopped dried cranberries, garlic powder, and chopped chives or green onions. Use a spatula or your hands to combine everything evenly — it should be thick and easy to form.

Step 3: Shape and chill the ball

Lay a large piece of plastic wrap or parchment paper on your counter. Scoop your mixture onto the center and carefully wrap it up while forming a tight ball. Pop it into the fridge for at least an hour — this resting time lets the flavors meld and firms up the shape.

Step 4: Roll it in crunchy goodness

Before serving, mix the remaining cranberries, pecans, and chives spread out on a cutting board or flat surface. Unwrap your cheese ball and gently roll it around in this mixture, pressing lightly so those tart cranberries and crunchy pecans stick beautifully all over the outside.

Step 5: Serve it up!

Set the cheese ball on a pretty serving plate surrounded by your favorite crackers, pita chips, or fresh veggies like carrots and celery sticks. You’ll be amazed at how fast it disappears once you set it out — trust me!

Top Tip

Over the years, making this Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe, I’ve picked up a few key tips that ensure it’s always a winner:

Toast Nuts Properly: Don’t skip toasting the pecans — it really intensifies their flavor and adds that satisfying crunch that makes this recipe shine.
Room Temperature Cheese: Let your cream cheese soften before mixing. Cold cream cheese is harder to blend smoothly and can cause a lumpy texture.
Chilling is Key: Don’t rush the fridge time; chilling helps firm up the cheese ball so it holds its shape nicely when rolled in the pecan-cranberry coating.
Use Plastic Wrap for Shaping: Wrapping the cheese ball in plastic makes shaping less messy and easier, especially if your mixture is sticky.

How to Serve Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe

cranberry pecan cheese ball - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I typically garnish mine with extra chopped chives sprinkled on top and a few whole pecan halves carefully placed around for that extra visual pop. The bright green and deep brown contrast perfectly with the red cranberries and creamy cheese.

Side Dishes

This cheese ball pairs wonderfully with a simple charcuterie board of cured meats and olives, fresh vegetable sticks like bell peppers and cucumbers, and buttery crackers to scoop it up. It’s also great alongside a crisp winter salad for some fresh crunch.

Creative Ways to Present

Once, for a friend’s birthday, I placed the cheese ball on a bed of mixed greens layered with pomegranate seeds and edible flowers — it instantly elevated the presentation and made it look like a centerpiece. Wrapping it in fresh herbs like rosemary sprigs is another lovely idea that adds aroma as well as style.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I usually wrap leftover cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 5 days, and the flavors even deepen a bit over time. Just bring it back to room temperature before serving again for the best texture.

Freezing

Freezing can change the texture of cream cheese-based dishes, so I don’t recommend freezing this cheese ball if you want that perfect creamy bite. However, if you must, wrap it super tight and freeze for up to a month — thaw overnight in the fridge and mix gently before serving.

Reheating

Since this is a cold appetizer, reheating isn’t really necessary. If you want to soften it a bit after chilling, just let it sit out at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving to bring back that creamy spreadable texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different nuts in the Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe?

Absolutely! While pecans add a wonderful flavor and texture, walnuts, almonds, or even pistachios make excellent substitutions depending on your preference or what you have on hand.

How far in advance can I make this cheese ball?

You can assemble and chill the cheese ball up to two days ahead of time. Just keep it tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in the fridge. Make sure to roll it in the cranberry and pecan coating just before serving for the best freshness.

Can I make this dairy-free or vegan?

This recipe relies heavily on cream cheese and cheddar, so it’s not naturally dairy-free or vegan. However, you could try plant-based cream cheese and vegan cheddar alternatives; just be aware the texture and flavor will be somewhat different.

What’s the best way to serve the cheese ball?

Serve it with a variety of dippers like crackers, pita chips, pretzels, or fresh vegetable sticks. Bringing an assortment of textures and flavors to the spread really enhances the enjoyment and complements the rich cheese ball perfectly.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Recipe holds a special place in my recipe collection because it’s always the recipe I reach for when I want to impress guests without any fuss. It’s approachable, forgiving, and wildly delicious — the kind of dish I can make with one eye on my kids and the other on setting the table. I truly hope you enjoy making and sharing it as much as I do. Go ahead, give it a try and watch it become your go-to festive favorite!