Just in time for your holiday parties, I’m sharing a recipe for a cheese ball with cranberries! This delicious pecan cranberry cheese ball recipe has a hint of citrus and is perfect for holiday entertaining. It’s also easy to make and can be prepared in advance to save you time on the day of your party. I originally made this cranberry orange cheese ball recipe for a Christmas Movie Night Ideas party, but it was so special that I knew it needed a post all to itself. If you’re looking for a new Christmas cranberry cheese ball idea, or searching for a cranberry nut cheese ball recipe, look no further than this yummy and festive recipe!
More cheese ball recipes like this pecan cranberry cheese ball
Need more ideas for your holiday entertaining like this Christmas cranberry cheese ball? Check out my other delicious and festive cheese ball recipes:
What you need to make this cheese ball with cranberries
Here’s what you’ll need to make this cheese ball with cranberries, pecans, and a hint of citrus:
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
How to make this pecan, cranberry, orange cheese ball recipe
If you’ve never made a cheese ball from scratch, they’re much easier than you might think! This cranberry cheese ball recipe is no exception. To make it, start by mixing together softened cream cheese, shredded Cheddar cheese, marmalade, orange zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl until the ingredients are well combined.
The next step in making your pecan cranberry cheese ball is to form the cheese mixture into a round ball. I find that it is helpful to use plastic wrap while shaping it, like in the example photo from my football cheese ball above. This keeps your hands clean and allows for smoother shaping. Then, wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Now it’s time to roll your cheese ball with cranberries! Place the cranberries and pecans on a plate and stir to mix them together. Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese ball and roll it into the cranberry and pecan mixture, lightly pressing the topping to the cheese ball so the cranberries and pecans stick.
To serve, place the coated cranberry cheese ball on a serving dish and surround with crackers for dipping.
See how easy it is to make a pecan cranberry cheese ball? Easy and delicious – that’s my type of party appetizer! Here’s the cranberry cheese ball recipe. Enjoy, and happy entertaining!
Cranberry Cheese Ball
This delicious pecan cranberry cheese ball recipe has a hint of citrus and is perfect for holiday entertaining.
Ingredients
- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup chopped pecans
Instructions
- Mix together cream cheese, Cheddar cheese, marmalade, orange zest, salt, and pepper in a bowl until well combined.
- Form the cheese mixture into a round ball (it’s helpful to use plastic wrap while shaping it). Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Place the cranberries and pecans on a plate and stir to mix. Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese ball and roll it into the cranberry and pecan mixture, lightly pressing the topping to the cheese ball so it sticks.
- Place the coated cheese ball on a serving dish and surround with crackers for dipping.
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