Description
The holidays call for festive, crowd-pleasing appetizers that look beautiful and taste incredible. These Holiday Cranberry Pecan Cream Cheese Balls are the perfect combination of creamy, tangy, and slightly sweet flavors—ideal for Christmas parties, Thanksgiving gatherings, or cozy winter get-togethers. Each bite-sized cheese ball is rolled in a colorful mix of dried cranberries and toasted pecans, making them as stunning as they are delicious. Easy to prepare and great for making ahead, they’ll quickly become your go-to holiday party favorite.
Ingredients
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16 oz cream cheese, softened
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1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped (plus extra for coating)
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1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans (plus extra for coating)
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2 green onions, finely chopped
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1 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon onion powder
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/4 teaspoon black pepper
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2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley (optional, for color)
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Crackers, crostini, or vegetable sticks for serving
Instructions
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Let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for about 20–30 minutes until softened for easy mixing.
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In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and shredded cheddar. Mix until smooth and well combined.
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Add the chopped cranberries, toasted pecans, green onions, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and parsley if using. Stir until evenly mixed.
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Scoop the mixture with a small cookie scoop or tablespoon and roll into small, even-sized balls using your hands.
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On a shallow plate, mix the extra chopped cranberries and pecans for the coating.
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Roll each cheese ball in the cranberry-pecan mixture, pressing gently so it sticks well.
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Place the coated cheese balls on a parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
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Serve chilled with crackers, crostini, or fresh veggie sticks for dipping.
Notes
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Toast pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3–5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Let them cool before chopping.
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Substitute part of the cheddar with goat cheese, feta, or Monterey Jack for a flavor twist.
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Keep cheese balls stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days.
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For best texture, let them sit at room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving.
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To make ahead, form the cheese balls in advance and coat them just before serving to keep the coating crunchy.
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These pair perfectly with buttery crackers, apple slices, or a festive charcuterie board.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes