Christmas Cheese Ball Recipe

In this post I’ll be sharing a savory delicious Christmas Cheese Ball Recipe.

Cheese balls are a classic appetizer that are so easy to prepare and can be made ahead of time and chilled until needed.

Just pull your holiday cheese ball out of the refrigerator about 45 minutes before serving so it softens up a bit. Allowing the cheese ball to come to room temperature makes spreading it on crackers or toast points easier.

Cheese balls also don’t have to be a “ball” at all. They can be shaped however you please as long as you are still able to put the final coating ingredients on it.

My personal preference is to shape them into logs. I find that the cheese log ensures that everyone gets just enough of everything that composes this tasty appetizer.

Holiday Cheese Ball Recipe

The best cheese ball recipe is the one that you make with the ingredients that you have on hand. 

They can be savory or sweet, depending on how and what it is served with.

My Christmas cheese ball recipe takes just a few simple ingredients and is perfect for festive family meals or smaller holiday gatherings.

Cranberry Pecan Cheese Log Appetizer

To make this classic Christmas cheese ball recipe you’ll need cream cheese (the main ingredient in all cheese balls), some freshly grated cheese, garlic, onion, Worcestershire sauce, pecans and dried cranberries.

Just serve it with crackers, toasted bread pieces, veggie sticks or chips.

I like to add more holiday flair by garnishing the cheese ball serving tray with a few sprigs of fresh rosemary and fresh ruby red cranberries.

Luckily I can snip the rosemary right out of my herb garden. The smell of fresh rosemary always makes me think of Christmas. 

If you don’t have fresh cranberries and rosemary, it is no big deal, just serve it without it. 

Holiday Cheese Ball

Preparing the easy holiday cheese ball takes just a couple of minutes. All of the filling ingredients are combined together in a mixing bowl.

I use an electric hand mixer to make cheese balls but you could just as easily hand mix.

Classic Cheese Ball Recipe

Use parchment paper or plastic wrap makes shaping your cheese ball appetizer easier and a lot less messy for your hands.

I simply roll the cream cheese mixture to form the log and then check the shape and make any adjustments.

Christmas Cheese Log

Continuing on with the “less messy hands” method, I spread the topping for my cheese ball onto parchment paper. 

For this recipe, the topping is chopped pecans and dried cranberries. 

Then give the cheese log, or ball, a roll around in the topping while gently pressing it in to adhere.

Wrap the cheese ball and refrigerate until needed. This recipe is on a smaller scale and will serve up to eight people.

I consider cream cheese to be a refrigerator pantry staple. It is just a fantastic ingredient that can be used to whip up and be used in a variety of recipes from appetizers to casseroles and sauces.

Christmas Cheese Ball Recipe

Tips for making cheese balls:

Make sure that the cream cheese is softened by either leaving out to come to room temperature or soften in the microwave.

Use freshly grated cheese for best flavor in recipes.

4.43 from 54 votes

Print Recipe SaveSaved!

Christmas Cheese Ball Recipe

Savory and festive holiday cheese ball recipe with dried cranberries and pecans is perfect for family holiday meals or small Christmas gatherings.

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Servings: 1 Cheese Ball Appetizer

Calories: 276kcal

Author: Julia Jordan | Julia’s Simply Southern

Ingredients

• 8 oz. Cream Cheese softened
• 8 oz. Sharp Cheddar Cheese grated
• 1 teaspoon Garlic finely minced
• 2 teaspoons Grated Onion
• 2 teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce

Topping

• 1/2 cup Pecans chopped
• 1/4 cup Dried Cranberries chopped

Instructions

• Combine all of the ingredients, except the pecans and cranberries, in a mixing bowl then shape.
• Coat with chopped pecans and dried cranberries.
• Serve immediately with crackers, chips or toasted bread points. The cheese ball may be refrigerated if made ahead, just allow to come to room temperature (about 45 minutes) before serving.

Recommended Products

National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation (Special Edition)

Candy and Nut Serving Container Platters, Christmas Tree Shape Appetizer Tray, 3 Compartment Plastic Plates Dishes Food Storage, Holiday Party Camping Snack Plate, 10-Inch

Holiday Theme Stainless Steel Cheese Spreaders Set Includes a Snowman, Candy Cane And Decorated Christmas Tree Shaped Handles

Nutrition

Serving: 1ounce | Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 9g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 57mg | Sodium: 288mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g

You Might Also Enjoy

Everything Bagel Cheese Log

Easy Cream Cheese Sausage Balls

Southern Jezebel Sauce & Cream Cheese Appetizer

Thank you so much for stopping by! I’m so glad that you did. I know that you’ll love this delicious appetizer just as much as my family do. It is a great go to for your holiday recipe collection.

Be sure to subscribe to my email list while you’re here and I’ll send you a weekly newsletter so that you never miss my latest recipes and news here on the blog.

You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

Happy Holidays to you and yours! 

Check out the recipe for Sweet Dijon Pecan Baked Brie Bites from Soulfully Made.

About Julia

Hey Y’all! I’m Julia, the cook and writer behind the recipes here at Julia’s Simply Southern. I began my website so that I could share easy to follow recipes that anyone can use to put a home cooked meal on the dinner table. Thanks so much for stopping by!

Follow me on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube

Learn more

Sharing is Caring