Orange Cranberry Cheese Ball Recipe
Home » COOK »
This Orange Cranberry Cheese Ball recipe is a festive twist on the classic cheese ball, and it is sure to be a hit at your next holiday gathering.
Cheese balls are the perfect party food because they are easy to make and everyone loves them!
The combination of orange and cranberry flavors is delicious, and the pecans give it a crunch. Give this recipe a try and see for yourself how good it is!
Affiliate Disclosure
We have included affiliate links to products and services related to the topic of this post.
We may earn a commission if you purchase after clicking on those links.
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read Our Full Disclosure Policy and Privacy Policy
Orange Cranberry Cheese Ball
The full ingredients list and instructions are found in the printable recipe card at the end of this post. I highly recommend reading the blog post all the way through so that you don’t miss any tips or substitution suggestions, to ensure that you have all the ingredients and equipment required and understand the steps and timings involved.
Serving cheese at a party is always a good thing, but why not turn a regular cheese plate into something a little more fun, with a cheese ball?
I do love the retroness of a cheese ball, which is classically just a ball of cream cheese and Cheddar that is coated with chopped nuts.
This orange cranberry cheese ball recipe is full of festive flavors, and not only delicious but is also quick to prepare, needing just a few minutes of hands-on time to pull together.
The addition of fresh orange juice and zest is the key to this recipe’s success. The subtle hint of sweetness adds an unexpected dimension to an already incredible set of flavors.
Ingredients & Equipment Used In This Recipe
While most ingredients can be bought in grocery stores, for your convenience, any specialized or notable ingredients and equipment needed for this recipe have been linked to Amazon or other stores if available online.
Staple ingredients such as oil, salt, sugar, etc., aren’t always included here as you’re likely to have those in your kitchen.
The complete list of ALL ingredients with measurements is found on the recipe card at the end of this post.
Ingredients Needed For Orange Cranberry Cheese Ball Recipe
- Fresh Produce – Oranges, Parsley
- Dairy – Cream Cheese
- Dried Cranberries
- Pecans
You will also need a selection of crackers, pretzels, fresh fruit, and crudité to serve.
Equipment Needed For This Recipe
- Sharp Knife
- Chopping/Cutting Board
- Mixing Bowl
- Zester
- Silicon Spatula
- Plastic Wrap
- Serving Platter or Serving Board
Recipes on The Purple Pumpkin Blog use both cup measurements and/or weighted measurements. American cups and kitchen food scales are handy pieces of equipment to have in your kitchen as it means you’ll be able to make all of the different recipes on my blog. I try to give American, imperial, and metric measurements in my recipes. Please note, that you can mix cup measurements with weighted measurements, but never mix imperial (pounds, ounces, pints, etc.,) with metric (kilograms, grams, liters, etc.,).
More Recipes Using Cheese
One of the hero ingredients in this dish is cheese, so here are some more recipes using the same:
- Pistachio and Raisin Goat Cheese Log Appetizer For Holiday Entertaining
- How To Make A Jalapeño Bacon Cheese Ball Appetizer For Parties
- Everything But The Bagel Ranch Reindeer Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe
More Appetizer Recipes
Looking for more party appetizers to make? Check these recipes out next:
- Whipped Feta Dip with Black Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
- 30-Minute Turkey Stuffed Mushrooms Appetizer (Just 5-Ingredients)
- Goat Cheese Stuffed Dates Wrapped in Bacon – Holiday Appetizer Recipe
Recipe Tips
- Make-Ahead Tip – This recipe can be prepared in advance. Once the cheese ball is tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, place it in a freezer bag and freeze it for up to one month. When ready to serve, thaw at room temperature and coat in the cranberry-pecan mixture described below.
- Storing Leftovers: Cool, transfer to an airtight container, and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.
- With all leftovers, make sure the food looks and smells okay before eating.
How Do I Make Orange Cranberry Cheese Ball?
The printable recipe card below has the full ingredients list and instructions. Any demonstration photos on the card do not print out to save ink.
Orange Cranberry Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 1 8-oz/225g package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 Tbsp water
- 1 Tbsp fresh orange juice
- 1 Tbsp orange zest
- ½ cup dried cranberries chopped and divided
- ½ cup pecans finely chopped
- 1 Tbsp fresh parsley finely chopped
To Servce
- Selection of crackers fresh fruit, and/or vegetable crudités
SUGGESTED PRODUCTS
Instructions
- Add the cream cheese, water, orange juice, orange zest, and one-third cup of cranberries to a medium-sized mixing bowl and stir to combine. Use a silicon spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl, to ensure all ingredients are incorporated into the mixture.
- Place a piece of plastic wrap on a clean, dry work surface and use the silicon spatula to gently scoop the cream cheese mixture on top of it.
- Wrap the plastic wrap around the cream cheese and gently shape it into a ball with your hands. Cover the cheese ball completely in the plastic wrap and transfer to the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes, longer if possible.
- Meanwhile, toss the pecans and fresh parsley with the remaining cranberries in a small bowl until combined.
- Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and discard the plastic wrap. Place the ball on a round serving plate and gently press the cranberry-pecan mixture into the surface to cover.
- Serve immediately with your choice of crackers, fresh fruit, and/or sliced vegetables. Enjoy!
Nutrition
Nutritional information is always approximate and will depend on the quality of ingredients used and serving sizes. If you need exact calories and macros, please do your own calculations.
Make It A Special Dinner!
You’ve made the appetizer, but what about the rest of the courses?
Here are additional recipes to create a menu for a dinner party or special meal:
- Soup: Loaded Cauliflower Leek Soup Recipe
- Salad: Apple Walnut Salad with White Balsamic Vinaigrette
- Main Dish: Cast Iron Chicken Provençal with Tomatoes & Olives
- Side Dish: Tri-Color Roasted Rosemary Potatoes Recipe – A Quick Side Dish
- Beverage: Apple Cider Margarita
- Dessert: Castagnaccio Recipe (A Traditional Tuscan Chestnut Flour Cake)
There are 500+ Recipes on The Purple Pumpkin Blog for you to enjoy – please feel free to check them out too.
The Create the Holidays series on The Purple Pumpkin Blog features free printables, crafts, recipes, and more for Christmas and the Winter Holidays. Check out Create the Holidays (formerly Create Christmas) from 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012.