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A round cranberry pecan cheese ball coated in toasted pecans, dried cranberries and parsley, surrounded by crackers and apple slices on a wooden board

Cranberry Pecan Holiday Cheese Ball

A creamy cheddar and cream cheese ball with dried cranberries and green onion, rolled in toasted pecans and fresh herbs.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Chilling 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Calories: 270
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese ball
  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened, two 8-ounce blocks (450 g)
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded from a block (225 g)
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries finely chopped
  • 3 green onions thinly sliced
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Coating
  • 3/4 cup pecans toasted and finely chopped (85 g)
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon fresh rosemary finely chopped, optional

Method
 

  1. Toast the pecans in a dry skillet over medium heat for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring often, until fragrant. Cool completely and chop finely.
  2. Beat the softened cream cheese with the Worcestershire, garlic powder, salt and pepper for about 1 minute until smooth.
  3. Stir in the cheddar, 1/4 cup of chopped cranberries and the green onions until evenly combined.
  4. Scoop the mixture onto plastic wrap, gather the wrap around it and twist into a tight ball.
  5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, until firm.
  6. Combine the pecans, remaining cranberries, parsley and rosemary on a plate. Unwrap the ball and roll it in the coating, pressing gently.
  7. Let it stand at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes and serve with crackers, fruit and vegetables.

Notes

Make ahead: Refrigerate the uncoated ball for up to 3 days and coat it on serving day.
Freezing: Freeze uncoated for up to 1 month and thaw overnight in the fridge.
Vegetarian: Most Worcestershire sauce contains anchovies, so use a vegetarian brand if needed.
Nutrition is an estimate per serving, not including crackers.