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    Home » Recipes » Party Appetizers

    Mini Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls Appetizer

    Published: Dec 15, 2021 · Modified: May 3, 2022 by Aleka Shunk · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

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    If you don't have these Mini Cranberry Pecan 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. This recipe 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! May I recommend these Candied Holiday Pecans or my Cranberry Jalapeno Dip?

    Cranberry pecan herb cream cheese balls with cracker and honey.
    Drizzle your cheeseballs with a bit of honey to add to the presentation and flavor.

    These cranberry pecan cheese balls are most popular around the holidays because of the flavor combination of pecans, dried cranberries and rosemary. The pop of red and green is also what makes these balls so perfect this time of year just like my Goat Cheese & Fig Jam Crostini.

    They were inspired by my holiday biscuit cups and my candied pecans which are some of my favorite Christmas snacks.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls
    • Substitutions & Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Expert Tips
    • Other Christmas Recipes You Must Try!
    • 📖 Recipe
    Contents hide
    1 Ingredients
    2 How To Make Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls
    3 Substitutions & Variations
    4 Equipment
    5 Storage
    6 Expert Tips
    7 Other Christmas Recipes You Must Try!
    8 📖 Recipe
    9 Mini Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls Appetizer
    9.1 Ingredients
    9.2 Instructions
    9.3 Recipe Notes

    Ingredients

    Most holiday 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!

    📃 NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!

    How To Make Cranberry Pecan 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 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.

    Mini cream cheese herb ball with craisins and pecans on a cracker on plate.
    Adding the goat cheese makes these mini cheese balls much creamier!

    Substitutions & Variations

    Missing a few ingredients? Don't like rosemary? Check out my recommendations below to make these cheese balls suitable for everyone.

    • Nuts- crushed walnuts 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.

    Serve these cheese balls at your next blind wine tasting party!

    Equipment

    Using a hand or standing mixer is the best and easiest way to cream together the cheeses.

    I use this kitchenaid stand mixer because it's hands-off and easy but you can use a hand mixer if you wish!

    Don't forget to grab yourself this mini ice cream scooper to help scoop your cheese balls and this mini food processor to make chopping nuts and herbs easy!

    Throwing a holiday party? Check out these 23 Elegant Adult Christmas Party Theme Ideas!

    Mini pecan cranberry cheese ball appetizer on a cracker with rosemary.

    Storage

    I do not recommend freezing your cheese balls. Cream cheese and fresh herbs will not thaw well so it's best to store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days until you're ready to serve.

    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.

    Other Christmas Recipes You Must Try!

    Crock Pot Christmas Crack Candy

    Ridiculously Moist Christmas Cake Balls (Cake Pops Without Sticks)

    Peppermint Candy Cane Shot with Rumchata

    19 Large Batch Holiday Cookie Recipes For A Crowd

    21 Holiday Party Finger Foods That Everyone Will Love

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    📖 Recipe

    Mini cream cheese balls with pecans, craisins and herbs.

    Mini Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls Appetizer

    If you don't have these Mini Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls on your holiday appetizer table, we can't be friends. I mean, they have ALL the flavors of Christmas rolled into one adorably delicious creamy bite.
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Prep Time: 15 minutes
    Cook Time: 0 minutes
    Chilling Time: 1 hour
    Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
    Calories:
    Author: Aleka Shunk

    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

    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, 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

    Yield: 7-8 cheese balls
    • 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.
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