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This Cranberry Cheese Ball is my party secret. It looks festive, it tastes even better than it looks, and it comes together with simple ingredients you probably already buy for the holidays. Set it in the middle of a cracker board and people will crowd around it.
5 Star Reviews āļøāļøāļøāļøāļø
“This is the cheese ball of all cheese balls and boy are you going to fall in love with you just like I did. It was super easy to make and the taste is out of this world!! My guests loved the flavor and the festive colors fit right into my party theme. Enjoy” – Michele
“Loved this recipe made it for a holiday party and people loved it!! I will be using the recipe again for my upcoming Birthday party. So easy to make. Thank you for the recipe!” – Khrisna
“I canāt get enough of this cheeseball! . All my favorite flavors in one delicious appetizer.” – Erin
Why I Love this Cheese Ball
This cheese ball is everything I want in a holiday appetizer. It is creamy from the cream cheese, sharp from the cheddar, a little salty from the bacon and crunchy from the almonds. Then the dried cranberries come in with that sweet tart bite and the parsley makes the whole thing look like Christmas. I also love that it actually tastes better after it sits, so I can make it ahead and not feel rushed on party day.
I serve it most often in December, but honestly it works for Thanksgiving, New Yearās Eve, bridal showers and game day too. Anywhere I need a pretty centerpiece appetizer, I reach for this cranberry cheese ball recipe.
What to pair it with:
- On a holiday charcuterie board so people can make little bites
- A big platter of crackers, crostini or sliced baguette
- Pita chips or rye crackers
- Fresh veggies like cucumber slices, carrots, celery and sugar snap peas
š©· Emily
Ingredients Youāll Need
- Cream cheese – regular, softened to room temperature so it whips smooth.
- Sharp white cheddar cheese – yellow cheddar also works.
- Bacon – cooked and crumbled, adds smoky saltiness that balances the cranberries.
- Dried cranberries – divided, some for mixing in and some for rolling on the outside.
- Fresh parsley – finely chopped, gives that green holiday color and a fresh taste.
- Worcestershire sauceĀ – just a little, for savory depth.
- Almonds – roasted and lightly salted, chopped and used both inside and outside.
- Crackers or bread for serving – use a mix so guests can choose.
Ingredient Additions and Substitutions
- Use regular sharp cheddar, pepper jack or a blend if that is what you have.
- Swap the almonds for pecans or walnuts. Chopped pretzels work if you do not want nuts.
- Try dried cherries, dried apricots (finely chopped) or golden raisins in place of the cranberries.
- For a slightly sweeter cheese ball, roll the outside in a mix of coconut and nuts.
- Not a fan of parsley. Use chives or cilantro for the green color.
- Goat cheese or feta can replace part of the cheddar for a tangy version.
How to Make a Cranberry Cheese Ball
- Whip the base. In a medium bowl beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and fluffy with no lumps.
- Stir in the flavor. Add the shredded cheddar, bacon, cranberries, parsley, Worcestershire sauce, and half of the chopped almonds. Mix until everything is evenly combined.
- Shape the cheese ball. Spoon the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap, bring the edges up and wrap it tightly, shaping it into a ball.
- Chill to set. Place the wrapped ball in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours so it can firm up and the flavors can blend.
- Make the coating. On a plate, combine the remaining cranberries, parsley and chopped almonds.
- Roll and serve. Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in the cranberry mixture until the whole surface is coated.
Recipe Tips
- Roll the cheese ball just before serving so the coating stays pretty and bright.
- Plan for the chill time. This needs at least 3 hours in the fridge so it holds its shape.
- You can make it up to a week ahead if it is wrapped tightly and refrigerated.
- If the mixture feels too soft when you first shape it, chill it for 20 to 30 minutes, then reshape.
- Chop the dried cranberries if they are large, this helps the ball hold together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Because of the dairy and meat they need to stay chilled except when serving.
About 3 hours at a party is fine. After that it should go back in the fridge.
Share that low fat cream cheese or not chilling long enough can make it soft.
Yes, and you can roll them individually in the cranberry nut coating.
Chill it first, then roll it while it is firm but not rock hard.
Yes, and suggest rolling in just parsley and cranberries or even crushed pretzels.
Yes, just be sure to serve if with gluten-free crackers or bread.
Make Ahead and Storage
- Make the full cheese ball, wrap it tightly in plastic and refrigerate for up to 7 days.
- For best appearance, roll it in the coating the day you serve it.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator.
- If the coating softens in the fridge, you can press on a few fresh cranberries and nuts right before serving again.
More Holiday Appetizers
- Cranberry Jalapeno Dip
- Fruit Dip
- Cranberry Salsa
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- The BEST Thanksgiving Appetizers
This Cranberry Cheese Ball is creamy, sweet, salty, crunchy and so pretty on a holiday table. You can make it days ahead, it travels well and everyone can snack while the main meal finishes. If you make it, come back and leave a rating and tell me what crackers you served it with. Your comments help other readers make it perfectly. š²ā¤ļø
Cranberry Cheese Ball
Video
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces white sharp cheddar cheese, you can also use feta, goat cheese, or gorgonzola
- 1/2 cup bacon, cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup dried cranberries, divided
- 2 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely chopped, divided
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 cup roasted almonds, chopped, divided
Instructions
- Whip softened cream cheese in a medium size bowl until it is creamy with no lumps.
- Add white cheddar, bacon, ½ cup cranberries, 1 tablespoon parsley, and Worcestershire sauce. Blend together.
- Spoon mixture out onto a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Bring corners together and form mixture into a large ball. Place in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 3 hours until cheese ball becomes firm.
- Combine remaining cranberries, parsley and chopped almonds in a shallow dish.
- Once the cheese ball has set up in the fridge, roll it in the mixture until thoroughly coated.
- Serve with your favorite crackers or sliced baguette bread.
Notes
- Give the cheese ball at least 3 hours to set up in the fridge.
- Use regular full fat cream cheese so the cheese ball sets well.
- Make ahead up to 7 days, keep wrapped and chilled, roll in coating right before serving.
- You can substitute pecans or walnuts for the almonds.
- Cheese balls can stay at room temperature for up to 3 hours when serving.
- For a sweeter outside, add a little coconut to the coating.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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This is the cheese ball of all cheese balls and boy are you going to fall in love with you just like I did. It was super easy to make and the taste is out of this world!! My guests loved the flavor and the festive colors fit right into my party theme. Enjoy
Looks yummy, will have to try.
Perfect for the season and what isn’t better with bacon!
Loved this recipe made it for a holiday party and people loved it!! I will be using the recipe again for my upcoming Birthday party. So easy to make. Thank you for the recipe!
Can I make an advance and freeze it for Christmas?
Yes! I think that would work!
I can’t wait to make this! This is perfect for a little get together and looks so delicious! So excited!
I can’t get enough of this cheeseball! . All my favorite flavors in one delicious appetizer.
This might be my favorite cheese ball recipe yet!! ALL those cranberries. yummy.
I made this for my company Thanksgiving potluck and it was beautiful and tasty. I couldn’t find chopped almonds so I did chopped/roasted hazelnuts. Great recipe š
I used the goat cheese variant. Very good. Chill time IS important as it is Very soft when first formed.
I made this as an appetizer for Thanksgiving and what a hit it was! Everyone wants the recipe. I followed the recipe, except I substituted Italian Parsley instead of the cilantro. The savory flavors of bacon and roasted almonds along with the tart sweetness of the cranberries is amazing! This recipe is a keeper that I will make time and time again!
I am so glad you loved it! Thanks for the 5-star rating!!!
Ooooh yum!! These sound amazing! I love the flavor of those smokehouse almondsā¦ andā¦ you really canāt go wrong with cheese and bacon! š
Regards Hashmanis.com.pk
I made the Cranberry Bacon Almond Cheese Ball for my Sonand future Daughter-In-Loveās Engagement Party. I split it in half so that when it ran low I could just replace it with another. Came out great! I substituted the cheddar cheese with the goat cheese mainly because I didnāt want to have to grate the cheddar. Got so many compliments. I was asked to make it again for my friends Bunco Night!! Thank you!!
P.S. I used the reduced sugar Craizins as well.
You are very welcome š So glad you liked this. It is a great party appetizer. Perfect for Bunco š
Amazing appetizer! I used orange cheddar instead of white, doubled the amount of Worcestershire sauce and added roughly 4 tbsp of chopped cilantro. Everyone loved it!
I’m always looking for a yummy new cheese ball! Love the flavors you blended. Yum!
This sounds great, although I probably would use pistachio nuts for the green as then you could make much earlier for the holidays