Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheese Balls

Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheese Balls are the perfect bite sized holiday appetizer. Rolled into a popable bite is cream cheese, goat cheese, and dried cranberries. Rolled in crushed pecans and a convenient pretzel holder make this a favorite finger food bite!

Cranberry week is still going strong and I am sharing one of my easiest and favorite holiday bites! Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheese Balls are so simple to make, and always a crowd pleaser at a get together. I like to pop them right into my mouth, but you can also eat them with a few extra pretzels for dipping. These mini cheese balls are filled with cream cheese, goat cheese, and dried cranberries. I use my food processor to get a nice smooth evenly mixed cheese ball. I use pecans for the coating and I pulse them a few times in my food processor to get them nice and fine and perfect for an outer layer of the mini cheese ball. I top my cheese balls with a pretzel stick because it makes them perfect for grabbing.

It’s Cranberry Week! See all the other delicious cranberry recipes being shared today (and follow #cranberryweek to see even more):

• Chocolate Cranberry Blondies from Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Cranberry Amaretto Ice Cream from The Redhead Baker
• Cranberry Apple Flan from The Freshman Cook
• Cranberry Breakfast Smoothie from Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
• Cranberry Crescent Rolls with Maple Icing from Faith, Hope, Love, & Luck Survive Despite a Whiskered Accomplice
• Cranberry Curd Tart from Savory Moments
• Cranberry Glazed Meatballs from Palatable Pastime
• Cranberry Mule from The Spiffy Cookie
• Cranberry Nut Cream Cheese Ball from Our Crafty Mom
• Cranberry Orange Scones from Caroline’s Cooking
• Cranberry Orange Sweet Rolls from Cookaholic Wife
• Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheeseballs from Cheese Curd In Paradise
• Gin & {Cranberry-Orange} Jam Cocktail from Books n’ Cooks
• Sparkling Cranberry Brie Bites from Sweet Beginnings
• Turkey Nachos with Cranberry Salsa from A Day in the Life on the Farm



What do you need to make Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheese Balls?

• Cream Cheese
• Goat Cheese
• Dried Cranberries
• Pecans- I love to cook with Millican Pecan
• Pretzel rods
• Food Processor
• Mixing Bowls
• Cookie Scoop



Frequently Asked Questions

I do not like goat cheese- what can I use in place?

I recommend using additional cream cheese.

Can I use a different nut besides pecans?

I have not tested this is other types, but I imagine that you can.

How do I store these?

I recommend rolling them in nuts and adding the pretzel the day of the event, but you can make the cheeseballs up to 4 days before you need them.

What are other mix-ins?

Jalapeno would be great for some heat. I think a little pesto or a little citrus zest would be delicious as well.




Print
Cranberry Pecan Mini Cheese Balls
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Keyword Appetizer
Prep Time 15 minutes
fridge time 1 hour
Servings 20 mini cheeseballs
Ingredients
• 8 oz plain cream cheese
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 3/4 cup pecan pieces
• 20 preztel rods
US Customary – Metric
Instructions
• In a food processor, add cream cheese, goat cheese, and dried cranberries. Plus till smooth and cranberries are well incorporated. Remove from food processor, cover, and place in fridge for an hour.
• In the food processor, add the peacans and pulse will smooth.
• Use a cookie scoop to create 1/2 tablespoon rounds the cheesecalls into a ball.
• Roll the cheeseballs in the pecans. Set on a plate and garnish with a pretzel rod.