If you don't have these Mini Cheese Balls on your holiday appetizer table, we can't be friends. I'm kidding...kind of. 😁 They have ALL the flavors of Christmas rolled into one adorably delicious creamy bite. I like to serve them either on a cracker, or with a pretzel stick or cracker on top.
Mini Cheese Balls Appetizer
This version uses cream cheese AND goat cheese because the flavor combination is out of this world... yes, even for all the goat cheese haters out there (my husband being one!)
Serve these mini cheese balls with another Crowd-Pleasing Finger Food Appetizer and you're party is set!
The pop of red and green is also what makes these balls so perfect around the holidays just like my Goat Cheese & Fig Jam Crostini and Stuffed Dates!
They were inspired by my holiday biscuit cups and my candied pecans which are some of my favorite Christmas snacks.
These Candied Holiday Pecans and Cranberry Jalapeno Dip are VERY popular this time of year!
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🛒Ingredient Tips
Most mini cheese balls use 100% cream cheese however I think that makes the texture too stiff and the flavor a bit bland. So I incorporated goat cheese into my cream cheese to add a bit of a tang and creaminess.
- cream cheese- I suggest using your best full fat cream cheese. Philadelphia Cream Cheese is my favorite.
- goat cheese- Even if you don't like goat cheese, you will love the subtle addition of it here. It balances so well with the sweetness of craisins and nutty pecans.
- dried cranberries- Dried cranberries aka craisins are the best. Fresh are not recommended but dried cherries are a great substitute!
- pecans- I suggest using unsalted, unflavored pecans. We will be roasting them to improve their flavor even more.
- fresh herbs- Fresh is a must! Fresh chives and rosemary allow the fresh flavors to really come through and bright green color to shine!
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How To Make Mini Holiday Cheese Balls
Step 1: Roast your nuts in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 8 minutes.
Step 2: Add your nuts to a food processor to crush them. You want a coarse texture, not fully ground.
Step 3: Chop your craisins and herbs finely using a large chefs knife and combine them in a shallow bowl with your pecans. Set aside.
Step 4: Mix together the cream cheese, goat cheese and dried cranberries in a stand mixer or medium bowl using a hand mixer.
Step 5: Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 1 hour to allow it to firm up.
Step 6: Scoop about 1 ounce of filling into the palm of your hands and roll into a round ball. Repeat with the rest of the cheese filling.
Step 7: Roll cheese balls in the nut herb mixture until fully coated. Chill until ready to serve.
Hint: I love to use this mini 1 oz. ice cream scooper to get pefectly bite-sized balls like I did in my Sausage Cream Cheese Balls.
Serve these cheese balls at your next blind wine tasting party!
Substitutions & Variations
Missing a few ingredients? Don't like rosemary? Check out my recommendations below to make these cheese balls suitable for everyone.
- Nuts- roll your cheese balls in crushed walnuts, pistachios or almonds are the best substitutions.
- Herbs- Rosemary is a very strong herb that is most popular around Christmas time however you can replace with fresh thyme, basil or parsley.
- Goat Cheese- if you do not like or have goat cheese, you can omit it. The texture will just be harder.
- Cream cheese- Cream cheese is the base and gives your cheese balls the creamy but firm texture required to roll. You can substitute Neufchâtel or mascarpone if you prefer however the texture will be sacrificed a bit.
- Bacon- Mixing in bacon bits (not store-bought) REAL bacon, into the mixture would add a delicious flavor everyone will LOVE.
Throwing a holiday party? Check out these 23 Elegant Adult Christmas Party Theme Ideas!
Make sure to bookmark these New Years Eve cake drop balls!!
Expert Tips
- Allowing your cheese to stiffen up in the fridge will help you to roll your mini cheese balls perfectly.
- Store cheese balls in the fridge until your ready to serve. They will soften as they come to room temperature.
- Make sure your dried cranberries are quality. Look for those in plastic containers near the cheese section rather than the bagged brands. Some brands are very dry and not very sweet.
- Drizzle honey over each after they are plated for added sweetness and shine.
- Chop your herbs and nuts finely so they stick to your balls.
Other Christmas Recipes You Must Try!
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📖 Recipe
Mini Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- 4 oz goat cheese
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 1 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1½ tablespoons fresh rosemary, minced
- 1 tablespoons fresh scallions, minced
- ¼ cup dried cranberries or cherries, chopped finely
- ½ cup whole pecans
📝 Save this recipe for later!
Let us email it to you, so you can come back to it later!
Instructions
- Roast your nuts in the oven at 350 degrees F for about 8 minutes. Remove your pecans and chop finely when cool enough to touch. Set aside.
- Mix your dried fruit, scallions, herbs and pecans in a shallow bowl. Set aside.
- Cream together the cream cheese, goat cheese and brown sugar in a stand mixer or in medium bowl using a hand mixer.
- Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 1 hour. This will firm up your cheese allowing you to easily roll your cheese balls.
- Scoop about 1 ounce of filling into the palm of your hands and roll into a round ball. Repeat with the rest of the cheese filling.
- Roll cheese balls in the herb mixture until fully coated. Chill until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
- Allowing your cheese to stiffen up in the fridge will help you to roll your mini cheese balls perfectly.
- Store cheese balls in the fridge until your ready to serve. They will soften as they come to room temperature.
- Make sure your dried cranberries are quality. Look for those in plastic containers near the cheese section rather than the bagged brands. Some brands are very dry and not very sweet.
- Drizzle honey over each after they are plated for added sweetness and shine.
- Chop your herbs and nuts finely.
Pat
What cracker did you use?
Aleka Shunk
I don't remember the brand name of these but any will work!!