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Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls are a delicious bite size appetizer made with cream cheese and goat cheese. They are rolled in chopped pecans and cranberries for a delicious Christmas appetizer recipe.
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls Ingredients
To make this cheese ball appetizer recipe, you will need the following ingredients (see the recipe card below for exact amounts):
- Dried cranberries
- Pecans
- Fresh parsley
- Goat cheese
- Cream cheese
- Honey
- Lemon zest
- Pretzel sticks
How to Make Mini Pecan Cranberry Cheese Balls
- Make the cheese ball mixture. In a medium bowl, mix together the chopped cranberries, pecans and parsley and set aside. Blend together the goat cheese, cream cheese, honey and lemon zest in a large bowl until well combined.
- Form balls and roll in toppings. Using a 1 inch cookie scoop, create bite-sized balls, rolling with your hands to form. Next, roll the cheese balls into the chopped nut mixture until evenly coated.
- Chill the cheese balls. Set the finished cheese balls onto a serving tray or baking sheet with parchment paper and chill in the refrigerator for one hour or until ready to serve.
- Serve and enjoy! Place a pretzel stick into the center of each cheese ball prior to serving.
Can I Make This Recipe Ahead of Time?
You can make these cheese balls one day prior to serving. Loosely cover with plastic wrap to preserve. Do not chill with the pretzel sticks placed into the cheese balls, instead add the pretzels just before serving.
Amazing Christmas Appetizer Recipes
I love serving just appetizers for Christmas Eve parties or Christmas Adam parties. Christmas Adam is the day before Christmas Eve. Serving appetizers is an easy way to throw a holiday party. Instead of eating a meal consisting of 3 or 4 foods, you can a little of lot of of different appetizers!
Christmas Deviled Eggs – These is not your ordinary deviled egg recipe. These eggs are dyed red and green to be extra festive.
Cream Cheese Pinwheels – This is by far my most popular appetizer. The cream cheese in the soft flour tortilla is so yummy.
Bacon Wrapped Smokies – These lil smokies are sweet and spicy, made with brown sugar, maple syrup and a pinch of cayenne pepper. They are irresistible!
Cranberry Pecan Cheese Balls
Ingredients
- ½ cup chopped dried cranberries
- ¾ cup chopped pecans
- ⅓ cup chopped fresh parsley
- 8 oz goat cheese softened
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 3/4 teaspoon lemon zest
- 15 pretzel sticks
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix together the chopped cranberries, pecans and parsley and set aside.
- Blend together the goat cheese, cream cheese, honey and lemon zest in a large bowl until well combined.
- Using a 1 inch cookie scoop, create bite-sized balls, rolling with your hands to form.
- Next, roll the cheese balls into the chopped nut mixture until evenly coated.
- Set the finished cheese balls onto a serving tray or baking sheet with parchment paper and chill in the refrigerator for one hour or until ready to serve.
- Place a pretzel stick into the center of each cheese ball prior to serving.
Nutrition
The nutrition information is calculated using online nutrition calculators and may not be accurate. It is provided as a general guide only.
The recipe and photos contained herein are the property of Emily Enchanted© and may not be copied.
Emily Enchanted
Friday 5th of August 2022
I love this recipe because they are so easy to pop in your mouth. LOVE.