I love a good cheese ball, and this cranberry cheese ball is the perfect combination of savory and sweet and is the perfect appetizer to serve at any holiday gathering this year! Keep reading for the whole recipe and then check out my post with 5 Tips for Making Holiday Entertaining Easy HERE.
Cranberry Cheese Ball
This cranberry cheese ball recipe is such a show stopper! It is a fun and easy appetizer to serve (or bring with you) to any gathering this holiday season.
And with this bright red outside on this cranberry cheese ball...it is so perfect and beautiful for any holiday spread!
To be fair, I could eat this all year long, but so that no one thinks I'm too weird, let's all just pretend I only eat this during the holidays, ok? Ok.
Moving on...
You can buy a decent cranberry cheese ball at the grocery store, sure. But I guarantee this one is worth the 15 minutes of work making one by hand will take. Homemade cheese balls are just so much better than anything you can buy in the store.
And for some reason, the holidays just aren't the same without a cheese ball, so today I am thrilled to share my cranberry cheese ball recipe with you!
What is a cheese ball made of?
Traditionally, a cheese ball is made of cream cheese, shredded cheese, spices, herbs and other ingredients mixed together. It is then formed into a ball. Sometimes nuts, spices or dried fruit is rolled on the outside of a cheese ball, but not always.
Why food is so important to us during the holiday season?
To me, the Holidays are all about creating memories and being with family and friends. One of my favorite things is to gather around the table together as friends or family and enjoy each other's company and eat yummy food!
I particularly love the amazingly rich and scrumptious food that is so prevalent this time of year! Yummy appetizers, scrumptious desserts, savory meals...and family. That is what makes the holiday season so special to me.
Cranberry cheese ball recipe
I love to create new recipes, and this cranberry cheese ball recipe that I created is a variation on a traditional cheese ball that I have made many times. It is both savory and sweet!
It really is an amazing cheese ball and is perfectly paired with pretzel thins, but you can pair it with any sort of cracker or pretzel you prefer. This is definitely a new favorite holiday family recipe. You will want to try it out ASAP this year.
True confession time:
I make at least two cheese balls every year: one to bring to a party and one for us to eat at home, all by ourselves. (Feel free to judge) Making a cheese ball every year has become a holiday family tradition for us.
Why do we love cheese so much!? Hahaha
How do you serve a cheese ball?
Serving a cheese ball is important! Here are 11 things you can serve with your cheese ball:
- Pretzels or Pretzel Thins
- Crackers (any kind)
- Apple Slices
- Crostini
- Pita Slices
- Pita Crackers
- Pear Slices
- Carrots
- Celery
- Cucumber Slices
- Pepper Slices
I like to put this cheese ball on a wood board and then surround it with my favorite crackers or pretzels (or anything else I am serving it with). Add a small knife and you are ready to go!
How long can a cheese ball keep in the refrigerator?
Because of the combination of dairy, fruit, and nuts, I personally only keep my cheese balls in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. If your cheese ball does not contain fruit or nuts, it should last about 1-2 weeks in the fridge. If I need to make it farther in advance, I wrap it really well and put it in the freezer instead.
Can you freeze a cheese ball?
Yes you sure can freeze a cheese ball! I like to wrap mine in plastic wrap, then put it in a freezer-safe zipper bag and then put it in the freezer. It will keep in the freezer for a month. Simply let it defrost completely in the fridge for about 24 hours before serving.
Cranberry Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients for a cranberry cheese ball:
- 1 package cream cheese
- 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 Tbs crushed pineapple (drained)
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon dried minced onion
- â…› teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes tabasco sauce
- 1-2 dashes of ground pepper
- 1-2 dashes season salt
- 1 dash garlic salt
- pinch kosher salt
- â…” cup craisins
How to make a cheese ball
- In a stand mixer (or by hand) mix together all ingredients except the craisins until well blended.
- Form into a ball.
- Coat with craisins.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve with pretzel thins or crackers of your choice.
You can be sure to snag the printable recipe down below.
Cranberry Cheese Ball Recipe
This cranberry cheese ball is the perfect combination of savory and sweet and is the perfect appetizer to serve at any holiday gathering!
Ingredients
- 1 package cream cheese
- 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 Tbs crushed pineapple (drained)
- ½ teaspoon lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon dried minced onion
- â…› teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 dashes tabasco sauce
- 1-2 dashes of ground pepper
- 1-2 dashes season salt
- 1 dash garlic salt
- pinch kosher salt
- â…” cup craisins
Instructions
- In a stand mixer (or by hand) mix together all ingredients except the craisins until well blended.
- Form into a ball.
- Coat with craisins.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Serve with pretzel thins or crackers of your choice.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 131Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 26mgSodium: 201mgCarbohydrates: 8gFiber: 0gSugar: 7gProtein: 5g
Nutrition information isn’t always accurate.
Melanie @ bear rabbit bear
Cheese ball looks excellent!
Ashley Phipps
Thank you Melanie!
Jeanie Hevener
Your cheese ball recipe sounds yummy, I love craisins and would have never thought to coat a cheese ball with them - great idea!
Ashley Phipps
Thank you so much Jeanie!
Mique (as in Mickey)
Yum! That looks so good and I looooove West Elm!
Ashley Phipps
Thanks so much Mique 🙂
marissa | Rae Gun Ramblings
oh that looks so yummy
Ashley Phipps
Thank you Marissa!
Crafty Lumberjacks
Looks so tasty and so festive! We love it!
Ashley Phipps
Thanks!
malia
What a delicious looking cheese ball... my kids would go nuts for this! Pinning!
Ashley Phipps
Awww..thanks so much!
Meegan
A perfect recipe for our family party. Thank you for sharing.
Angela Johnson
This looks delicious! I can not wait to try it. Visiting from A Pinch of Joy.