Recipe Video - OnlineCook

February 19, 2025

I could eat 100 of these cranberry orange cheese balls, they are so good. With white cheddar, cranberries, orange zest, thyme, toasted pecans, and maple syrup, they're a sweet, savory, and nutty appetizer. The recipe is easy, has just a handful of ingredients, and comes together in less than 30 minutes for an elegant last-minute party snack. They're perfect for holiday parties like Christmas and New Year's!

11 Ingredients

Recipe

Cranberry Orange Cheese Balls

Sunday Table

Ingredients

Cheese Balls

Warning0 allergens identified

Instructions

This recipe also lives on Sunday Table.Show them some love by checking it out! 😊

Original Post

Instructions

Add the cream cheese, sharp white cheddar cheese, maple syrup, orange zest, thyme, salt, and pepper to a large bowl. Then, tip in half of the pecans and half of the dried cranberries. (Reserve the remaining pecans and cranberries for later). Use a rubber spatula or hand mixer to mix the ingredients together until it is smooth and combined.

Portion the cranberry orange cheese using a #40 (1 ounce, 2 Tablespoon) cookie scoop. Roll each portion of cheese between your palms to create smooth balls. Place the cheese balls on a parchment-lined sheet pan and cover. Refrigerate until you're ready to serve.

About 15 minutes before serving, remove the cheese balls from the fridge and let them warm up just a bit. Combine the remaining pecans, cranberries, and parsley in a shallow dish or pie plate. Gently roll each cheese ball until the outside is well-coated. If the mixture doesn't stick, use your fingers to gently press the coating on the outside of the cheese balls.

Place the prepared cheese balls on a platter. Serve with crackers, pretzels, fruit, vegetables, or other snacks. Enjoy!

Video Tutorial Bite Tutorial

Smart Nutrition

Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

0
Review & Earn

Be the first to review this recipe and earn a 20% Bonus

Level up & unlock free Premium by reviewing recipes!

My Notes

Your kitchen notebook is waiting.

Whether it's a recipe tweak or an inspiration burst — jot it down here.

Tips & Tricks (5)

Cheese Softening Technique 🧀
Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before mixing to ensure smooth, easy blending and prevent lumpy texture.
Toasting Pecan Perfection 🥜
Always toast pecans in a dry skillet for 3-4 minutes before chopping to enhance their nutty flavor and add a delightful crunch to the cheese balls.
Zest Maximization Trick 🍊
Use a microplane grater for the orange zest to capture only the bright orange outer layer, avoiding the bitter white pith underneath.
Binding Magic 🤲
Wet your hands slightly with cold water when forming cheese balls to prevent the mixture from sticking and create perfectly smooth, uniform shapes.
Make-Ahead Mastery 🕰️
Prepare cheese balls up to 2 days in advance and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator, rolling in the pecan coating just before serving for maximum freshness.