This Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball is creamy, sweet, tangy, and crunchy—perfect for holiday parties, potlucks, and snack boards. It’s easy to make ahead and always a crowd favorite!
⏱ Prep Time
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Prep: 10 minutes
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Chill: 1 hour
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Total: ~1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 8–12 people
🍳 Equipment
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Mixing bowl
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Spatula or hand mixer
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Plastic wrap
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Serving plate
🥘 Ingredients
Cheese Ball
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
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2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
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½ tsp garlic powder
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¼ tsp salt
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¼ tsp black pepper
Coating
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½ cup dried cranberries, chopped
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½ cup pecans, finely chopped
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1 tbsp chopped fresh parsley (optional)
📝 Ingredient Notes
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Use full-fat cream cheese for best texture.
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Swap cheddar with goat cheese or blue cheese for a gourmet twist.
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Walnuts or almonds can replace pecans.
👩🍳 Instructions
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Mix base: In a bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar, honey, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
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Shape: Scoop mixture onto plastic wrap and shape into a ball. Wrap tightly.
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Chill: Refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 2 days).
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Coat: Mix chopped cranberries and pecans. Roll chilled cheese ball in the mixture until fully coated.
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Serve: Place on a serving plate with crackers, bread, or veggie sticks.
🧮 Nutrition Facts (per serving, approx.)
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Calories: 210
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Protein: 5g
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Fat: 18g
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Carbohydrates: 8g
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Fiber: 1g
💡 Tips & Variations
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Savory version: Skip honey and add Worcestershire sauce.
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Spicy: Add chopped jalapeños or red pepper flakes.
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Holiday style: Add orange zest for festive flavor.
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Keto-friendly: Skip cranberries or use sugar-free dried cranberries (perfect for your keto audience 😉).