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–+ servings
Knife with portion of cranberry cheese ball on top of a cracker next to whole cranberry cheese ball.
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5 from 22 votes

Cranberry Cheese Ball

This Cranberry Cheese Ball is a creamy, savory holiday appetizer filled with cheddar, bacon and sweet cranberries, then rolled in nuts for the prettiest party bite.
Prep Time15 minutes
Cook Time0 minutes
Refrigerate3 hours
Total Time3 hours 15 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Appetizer, Cheese Ball, Cranberry
Servings: 8 servings
Calories: 404kcal
Author: Emily Walker

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.
    Glass mixing bowl with whipped cream cheese and electric beaters.
  • Add white cheddar, bacon, 1/2 cup cranberries, 1 tablespoon parsley, and Worcestershire sauce. Blend together.
    Glass bowl with cream cheese, bacon, dried cranberries, parsley, almonds and shredded sharp white cheddar cheese.
  • 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.
    Round shaped cranberry cheese ball in plastic wrap.
  • Combine remaining cranberries, parsley and chopped almonds in a shallow dish.
    Glass dish with combined raisins, parsley and chopped almonds.
  • Once the cheese ball has set up in the fridge, roll it in the mixture until thoroughly coated.
    Cheese ball rolled in dried cranberries, parsley and chopped almonds.
  • Serve with your favorite crackers or sliced baguette bread.
    Cranberry cheese ball on a plate next to crackers.

Video

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

Calories: 404kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 32g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Cholesterol: 71mg | Sodium: 372mg | Potassium: 221mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 789IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 273mg | Iron: 1mg