Go Back
+ servings
christmas cheese ball on a plate with crackers

Orange Cranberry Cheese Ball - Christmas Cheese Balls

Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling: 30 minutes
Total Time: 50 minutes
Servings: 12 people
Calories: 304kcal
Author: Becky Hardin
This Christmas Cheese Ball needs a place on your table this year! Made with orange and cranberry, it's easy to make and full of festive flavors.
Print Recipe

Ingredients

For the Cheese Ball:

  • 16 ounces cream cheese room temperature
  • 8 ounces goat cheese room temperature
  • tablespoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice
  • teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
  • 1/3 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 3 tablespoons minced fresh chives
  • 1 teaspoon fresh orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon sweet orange marmalade
  • ¼ cup dried cranberries

For the Topping:

  • 4 ounces dried cranberries
  • 3.5 ounces Honey Roasted Pecans
  • Zest of 1 large orange

Instructions

For the Cheese Ball:

  • In the bowl of a food processor, combine cream cheese, goat cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire Sauce, salt and black pepper. Process 30 seconds or until smooth. Add cheddar cheese, chives, orange zest, orange marmalade and dried cranberries; process until smooth and ingredients are fully incorporated.
  • Transfer the cheese to the center of a large piece of plastic wrap that has been placed on a work surface. Pick up the cheese from under the plastic wrap and shape the cheese into a ball. Twist the plastic wrap to enclose the cheese ball. Set the wrapped cheese ball in a bowl with the twisted part of the plastic wrap on top and refrigerate it for at least 1 hour or until firm. You can make the cheese ball up to three days ahead of serving. Remove the cheese ball from the fridge 30 minutes prior to adding the topping mixture, After 30 minutes, remove the plastic wrap and roll the ball in the topping mixture, pressing as you work your way around the ball to ensure the topping adheres. At this point, the cheese
  • ball is ready to serve, or it can be loosely covered and placed back in the fridge until ready to serve.
  • When ready to serve, allow it to soften on the counter 30 minutes prior to serving.
  • Serve on a platter or cheese board along with fresh veggies, crackers, pretzels, and/or crostini.
  • Enjoy!

For the Topping:

  • Mix the dried cranberries, pecans and orange zest together in a medium bowl.

Nutrition

Calories: 304kcal | Carbohydrates: 16g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 23g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 355mg | Potassium: 76mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 13g | Vitamin A: 830IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 138mg | Iron: 1mg