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This quick-to-fix cranberry cheese ball recipe is the perfect easy party food, especially for holiday entertaining. With its balanced blend of sweet and savory flavors, it makes a big hit every time we serve it. Another plus is that it can be made up to three days in advance, leaving you free to work on other last-minute details before guests arrive.
Notes From the MGC Kitchen
We’re always fans of easy, low-maintenance appetizers that allow us to spend more time with our guests and less time in the kitchen, and cheese balls are always crowd pleasers! Our easy cranberry cheese ball is our go-to appetizer when we’re tasked with bringing a dish to a holiday gathering, too. It’s perfect because it’s quick to prepare, easy to transport, and doesn’t require re-heating before serving. We just pack some cheese spreaders and crackers to serve alongside it, and guests can help themselves. Everyone loves the pop of sweetness the dried cranberries bring to the tangy cheese mixture, not to mention the festive presentation!

Key Ingredients
This is an overview of the key ingredients for this recipe. Please see the printable recipe card below for the complete listing, including quantities.
- CHÈVRE: Also known as fresh goat cheese, chèvre is easy to find in most supermarkets. Its tangy, grassy flavor is the star of this cheese ball, and it’s easy to work with, too.
- CREAM CHEESE: Cream cheese is included in most cheese ball recipes as its smooth, creamy texture helps to bind the other ingredients and blend the flavors.
- DRIED CRANBERRIES: In addition to bringing festive color to this cheese ball, dried cranberries provide its signature sweet-tart flavor.
- ORANGE ZEST: Fresh orange zest adds a delicious, citrusy note whenever you add it to a recipe, and in this case, it plays perfectly with the cranberries and the goat cheese.
- TOASTED PECANS: With their crunchy texture and buttery flavor, toasted pecans are the finishing touch for this cheese ball.
How to Make a Cranberry Cheese Ball with Pecans
This is an overview of how this recipe is prepared. Please see the printable recipe card below for detailed step-by-step instructions.
MIX THE INGREDIENTS: Place the softened cream cheese, goat cheese, dried cranberries, and orange zest in a bowl and combine thoroughly.
SHAPE THE BALL: Scoop the mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap and gather the wrap together tightly to form a ball about 4 inches in diameter.

CHILL: Refrigerate the cheese ball for at least 2 hours.
COAT: After chilling, unwrap it and roll it in the chopped toasted pecans.

SERVE: Serve with crackers or thin slices of toasted baguette.

How to Toast Pecans
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the pecans in a single layer on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Toast for 5 to 6 minutes, turn, then return to the oven and continue toasting for another 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown with a nutty, toasty aroma.
What to Drink: Recommended Pairings
When entertaining, appetizers and cocktails go hand in hand, and it helps to have food that will work with your guests’ favorite drinks. The flavors in this cheese ball make it easy to pair with a wide variety of beverages. Here are a few suggestions:
- If you want to serve mixed drinks, try our Spiced Orange Champagne Cocktail or keep with the cranberry theme and whip up a few Cranberry Moscow Mules.
- When choosing wines, avoid oaked varieties and instead try a light-bodied, fruity red like Beaujolais, or sparkling rosé, or Pinot Gris.
- For the craft beer fans on your guest list, both American-style pale ales and Belgian Saison are good choices.

Frequently Asked Questions About Homemade Cheese Balls
Yes, after coating with the toasted pecans, the cheese ball can be re-wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerated for up to 3 days. Take the ball out of the refrigerator about 20 to 30 minutes ahead of serving to come to room temperature.
Yes, start by wrapping the ball tightly in plastic wrap, followed by a layer of aluminum foil. Then place the wrapped cheese ball in a freezer-safe bag. When you’re ready to serve it, thaw in the fridge overnight. Keep in mind that the freezing and defrosting process may change the texture of the cheese slightly, but it will still taste great!
Toasted walnuts would be our first choice as a substitution for this cheese ball. We also think pistachios or almonds would work well. You can even use a combination of different toasted nuts for a more complex flavor profile.
More Easy Appetizers to Try


Easy Cranberry Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces chèvre (French goat cheese), softened
- 3/4 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- Zest of 1 orange
- 3/4 cup pecans, toasted and chopped (see notes)
Instructions
- Place the cream cheese, goat cheese, cranberries and orange zest in a bowl and combine thoroughly.
- Scoop the mixture onto a large sheet of plastic wrap and gather the wrap together to form a ball about 4 inches in diameter.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, unwrap it and roll it in toasted pecans.
- The cheese ball can either be served at this point or re-wrapped and refrigerated for up to 3 days.
- Serve with crackers, crisp breadsticks, or thin slices of toasted baguette.
Notes
How to Toast Pecans
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the pecans in a single layer on a parchment-lined rimmed baking sheet. Toast for 5 to 6 minutes, turn, then return to the oven and continue toasting for another 5 to 6 minutes or until golden brown with a nutty, toasty aroma.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I didn’t have quite enough pecans so I made up the difference by adding walnuts and it was delicious
Hi Janet,
I think you can easily substitute walnuts for the pecans entirely, or use a mix like you did. Thanks for sharing the tip.
This is so easy to make and has been a big hit at holiday parties when I bring it!
great combination of flavors – everyone loved it ~ looks pretty too !