Name: Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 2 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: ¾ cup walnuts (chopped); ¾ cup dried cranberries (chopped); 2 Tbsp chopped fresh parsley; 8 oz. cream cheese (room temperature); 1 cup shredded Cabot Seriously Sharp Cheddar Cheese; ¼ tsp garlic powder; Crackers (pita chips, pretzels, etc.)

There's just something so inviting about the mix of creamy cheese, crunchy toasted walnuts, and tart cranberries, right? This Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe has become a favorite appetizer in my kitchen, especially when I want something both festive and easy to put together.

A round cheese ball covered in chopped walnuts, dried red cranberries, and green parsley bits sits in the center of a white plate, surrounded by a neat circle of light brown round crackers with holes. Behind the plate are stacked red and white cheese packages and a few green leaves with small red berries on the right side. A silver cheese spreader knife lies in front of the plate on a white marbled surface photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Honestly, this cranberry walnut cheese ball is one of those recipes that feels fancy but is so forgiving and quick to assemble. Every time I bring it to a gathering, it disappears fast — and not just because it looks pretty on the platter!

Perfect balance of flavors: The sweetness of cranberries paired with sharp cheddar cheese and toasted walnuts hits all the right notes.
Easy to make ahead: You can prep it the day before and let the flavors marry overnight, so it’s always ready when guests arrive.
Versatile serving options: Whether with pita chips, crackers, or pretzels, it’s a crowd-pleaser everyone enjoys.
Great for any occasion: While it's a holiday star, it also works beautifully for casual game days or weekend get-togethers.

The image shows a round cheese ball covered with chopped red cranberries, green herbs, and light brown pieces of nuts. The cheese ball has a creamy white inside visible through a bite where a round cracker is placed. The cracker is light golden with small holes and rests on the cheese. The cheese ball sits on a dark gray plate surrounded by many round, light golden crackers arranged in a circle. The background is a white marbled texture with some blurred baking items. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

This recipe relies on simple ingredients that come together to create amazing texture and flavor contrast. When I shop for this, I pick quality sharp cheddar and fresh parsley to keep things bright and tasty.

Flat lay of chopped fresh parsley sprigs, a small white ceramic bowl filled with chopped dried cranberries, a small white ceramic bowl with chopped toasted walnuts, a simple white ceramic bowl holding cream cheese at room temperature, a small white ceramic bowl of shredded sharp cheddar cheese, a small white ceramic bowl containing garlic powder, and two whole uncracked brown eggs placed neatly in symmetry, all arranged in balanced proportions and perfect symmetry, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Walnuts: Toasted walnuts add a warm crunch and nutty aroma — don’t skip toasting, it's a game changer.
Dried cranberries: Their sweet-tart bite perfectly balances the sharp cheddar and creamy cheese.
Fresh parsley: Adds a fresh green note, lifting the richness of the cheese.
Cream cheese: The creamy base that holds everything together smoothly at room temperature.
Sharp cheddar cheese: Use a sharp variety to add depth and a little tang to the mix.
Garlic powder: Just a touch adds savory warmth without overpowering.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love experimenting with this cheese ball — sometimes swapping the walnuts for pecans for a different crunch or adding a pinch of cayenne if I’m feeling spicy. Feel free to make this recipe your own!

Variation: I tried adding finely chopped green onions once, and it gave a lovely fresh bite that surprised my guests in a good way.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe

Step 1: Toast those walnuts just right

Start by heating a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once hot, toss in the walnuts and stir often for about 4-5 minutes. You want them golden brown and smelling toasty but watch them like a hawk because they burn quickly! This toasting step unlocks so much flavor—it’s worth the attention.

Step 2: Mix walnuts, cranberries & parsley

Transfer the toasted walnuts to a medium bowl. Add chopped dried cranberries and fresh parsley, then stir to combine. Pro tip: Using a hand mixer here makes everything mix evenly, but a sturdy spoon works just fine too. Set this mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Blend the cheeses and half the walnut mixture

In a large bowl, add your room temperature cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, garlic powder, and half of the walnut-cranberry mixture. Stir everything until combined—smooth and uniform is the goal here. The cream cheese softness at room temp helps make this much easier.

Step 4: Chill and shape into a ball

Cover your bowl tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or for best results, overnight. This chilling helps the flavors meld and makes the cheese mixture easier to form. Also, cover the remaining walnut mixture so it stays fresh.

Step 5: Form the cheese ball and coat

Once chilled, place the cheese mixture on a piece of wax paper. Shape it into a nice round ball with your hands—don’t worry about perfection! Then, roll the ball in the reserved walnut, cranberry, and parsley mix so it’s evenly coated and looks beautiful for serving.

Step 6: Serve with your favorite crackers

Serve your Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball with whatever crackers or dippers you love—pita chips, pretzels, or classic crackers all work great. Watch it disappear!

Top Tip

From my hands-on experience, these tips will make your Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball recipe truly shine and take the stress out of prep.

Toast nuts carefully: Never leave them unattended on the stove; walnuts go from golden to burnt in seconds.
Bring cream cheese to room temp: It blends easier and ensures a smooth texture that's easier to shape.
Chill well: Refrigerate the cheese mixture long enough to firm up—if it’s too soft, it won’t hold its shape well.
Roll gently: When coating the cheese ball, roll with care so it stays intact but gets a nice even layer of garnish.

How to Serve Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe

cranberry walnut cheese ball - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually stick with fresh parsley and extra chopped walnuts to sprinkle over the top beside the cranberry bits. It keeps things colorful and fresh, plus adds a nice little crunch bonus.

Side Dishes

This cheese ball pairs wonderfully with a crisp green salad, roasted nuts, or some sliced fresh fruit like apples or pears — those flavors complement the tartness of the cranberries perfectly.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday parties, I’ve formed the cheese mixture into little bite-size balls and skewered them with festive toothpicks — it’s a fun twist and great for mingling events. I've also nestled the cheese ball in a bed of leafy greens on a platter to make it extra inviting.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh for up to 4 days, but in my house, it rarely lasts that long!

Freezing

I haven’t tried freezing the cheese ball because I prefer the texture fresh, but if you must, wrap it tightly and thaw gently in the refrigerator to avoid moisture buildup.

Reheating

This is really meant to be served cold or at room temperature, so reheating isn’t necessary. Just take it out of the fridge 15-20 minutes before serving to soften up nicely.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other nuts instead of walnuts in this Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe?

Absolutely! Pecans or almonds work beautifully, just toast them the same way to bring out their flavor.

How far ahead can I make this cheese ball?

You can prepare it up to 24 hours before serving. Refrigeration allows the flavors to deepen, making it even tastier the next day.

What’s the best way to serve this appetizer?

Serve it at room temperature with a variety of crackers, pita chips, or pretzels so everyone can easily enjoy it.

Can I make this cheese ball dairy-free?

This particular version relies on cream cheese and sharp cheddar, so it’s not dairy-free. However, you could experiment with dairy-free cream cheese and cheese alternatives, though texture and flavor might vary.

Final Thoughts

This Cranberry Walnut Cheese Ball Recipe feels like a hug wrapped in a festive package—bright, creamy, crunchy, and just a little bit sweet. I love how easy it is to make yet how impressed everyone is when you bring it out. It’s now a staple in my holiday rotation and a great excuse to gather friends and family around the table. Give it a try and see how quickly it becomes one of your favorites too!