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A delicious Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball sits ready to be served, topped with cranberries and pecans.

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball Irresistible

This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is a creamy, tangy, and festive appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. It features a blend of cream cheese and goat cheese, studded with sweet cranberries and crunchy pecans, creating a delightful balance of flavors and textures that's surprisingly easy to make.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 4 ounces goat cheese, softened
  • 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
  • 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • Pinch of salt
  • Pinch of black pepper
  • 1 cup pecans, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, finely chopped optional
  • Crackers, baguette slices, or apple slices for serving

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Measuring cups
  • Measuring spoons
  • Mixing Spoon
  • Plastic wrap
  • Shallow dish
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Refrigerator

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and goat cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add the chopped dried cranberries, green onions, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper to the cheese mixture.
  3. Stir everything together until well combined.
  4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
  5. While the cheese mixture is chilling, prepare the coating. In a shallow dish, combine the chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and rosemary (if using).
  6. Once the cheese mixture is thoroughly chilled, remove it from the refrigerator.
  7. Using your hands (or a spoon), form the cheese mixture into a ball.
  8. Roll the cheese ball in the pecan mixture, pressing gently to help the coating adhere. Make sure to cover the entire surface.
  9. Wrap the coated cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the coating to set.
  10. Serve with crackers, baguette slices, or apple slices.

Notes

Make sure the cream cheese and goat cheese are thoroughly softened before mixing to prevent lumps. Finely chop all ingredients for even distribution. The cheese ball can be made up to 2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator. For variations, substitute walnuts, almonds, or pistachios for pecans, or use thyme or sage instead of rosemary. Maple syrup or agave nectar can be used in place of honey.