This “ultimate” Christmas Cheese Ball recipe features bacon, dried cranberries, blue cheese, Cheddar cheese, green onions, and pecans. It showcases the traditional Christmas colors all wrapped up in one incredibly delicious cheese ball that’s guaranteed to be a hit at your next get-together! Savory, sweet, salty and PACKED with FLAVOR, it’s simply irresistible!
The cheese ball needs to make a comeback. But not as a repetition of history. No, the cheese balls of yesteryear deservedly earned a bad rap.  You know the ones:  A mass of sticky artificial orange industrial goo (ie, Velveeta) squished into a ball, rolled in some nuts and served with crackers.  By the time this round object masquerading as cheese had been sitting at room temperature for 37 minutes it became so unappetizing in appearance that the party guests began drifting further and further away from the table. Yes, that’s the one. That cheese ball needs to make a permanent exit.
Fortunately in recent years cream cheese has taken the place of the unidentifiable orange stuff.  Its tangy, neutral flavor is the perfect base for any number of fun flavor combinations.
I think I’ve only ever made a grand total of four cheese balls in my life. Â But this Christmas Cheese Ball recipe that I developed several years ago led me to an irrevocable decision: Cheese balls need to make a regular appearance in my home. Â They’re just too good not to.
What is in the ULTIMATE Christmas Cheese Ball?
This Christmas Cheese Ball features the Christmas colors of red, white and green in the form of smoky bacon, sweet dried cranberries, cream cheese and green onions and those flavors are given an additional massive flavor boost with the inclusion of Cheddar cheese, blue cheese, and pecans. PACKED with flavor, it is a real feast for the palate!
At the time I developed this recipe our daughter was only 3 years old and she loved it then and still loves it today. Now, 7 years later, she still requests this. It’s become a favorite in our home.
Super easy to make, you can shape this into a cheese ball or into a log or any design you heart desires.  Either way, it’s going to be a hit! For best results just be sure to let the cheese ball sit in the fridge for at least a few hours so the flavor have time to meld.
Christmas Cheese Ball Recipe
Let’s get started!
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
Stir or knead together until thoroughly combined.
Shape into a ball (or log if preferred) and wrap in plastic wrap. Â Refrigerate for at least an hour or up to 2 days.
Toss the outer layer ingredients to combine and spread them out on a plate. Â Roll the ball in them to even coat the outer layer.
Serve immediately or wrap it again in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until ready to use.
Serve with crackers and enjoy!
For more delicious spreads and dips be sure to try our:
- Black Olive Tapenade
- Neiman Marcus Dip
- Pimento Cheese
- Indian Red Lentil Dip
- Black Olive Tapenade
- Smoked Salmon Spread
- Queso Fundido
- Chicken Liver PateÂ
- French Onion Dip Mix
- Obatzda
- Hummus
- Baba Ganoush
- Peach Bacon Jam
Christmas Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese , softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 4 strips thick-cut bacon , cooked and crumbled
- 2 green onions , sliced
- 3 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 3 tablespoons chopped dried cranberries
- For the outer layer:
- 2 green onions , sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons chopped dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons crumbled bacon
- crackers of choice for serving
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a bowl and stir or knead together until thoroughly combined. Form the mass into a ball or log (whichever shape desired) and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 2 days.
- Toss the outer layer ingredients together to combine and spread them out on a plate. Roll the cheese ball in them to evenly coat the surface. Serve immediately or wrap in plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to use. Serve with crackers.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet December 22, 2015
Levan | Games Like Zone says
Okay I’ll admit – I’ve NEVER actually tried blue cheese. Been too fearful. But you make it look so tasty! Okay I’m heading to the supermarket :)
Angie | Big Bear's Wife says
That cheeseball is beautiful. I love making cheeseballs during the holidays! Bacon and cheese, YES please!
Annie @ Annie's Noms says
I have never made a cheese ball before, but this looks so amazing!!!
Vicky @ Avocdo Pesto says
Haha yes I know exactly what you mean about those unappeetizer Velveeta based cheese balls. This sounds nothing like it though and looks festive and delicious. Love those gf brown rice crackers too!
Aly ~ Cooking In Stilettos says
I have never made a cheese ball but clearly that needs to change. This looks perfect for holiday entertaining! I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday.
Nutmeg Nanny says
This cheeseball looks perfect for holiday parties. If I saw this at a party you could find me parked next to it eating it all :)
Julia says
Love the combination you have of blue cheese, cranberry and bacon! I bet this would be a hit at a holiday party!
Lauren @ Hall Nesting says
I love this holiday treat!
Chrisy @ Homemade Hooplah says
This is SO perfect for party season! Can never go wrong with bacon :D
heather @french press says
oh how I remember those glowing orange cheeseballs, there always seemed to be at least one at every family gathering. this one is just gorgeous,a nd I’m sure just as tasty
Tonia from TheGunnySack says
Wowza! What an amazing combination!
Faith (An Edible Mosaic) says
Cheese balls are one of my favorite appetizers to whip up – I love how they’re so easy to make and customize! The flavors going on here look delicious!
Ashley @ Wishes & Dishes says
I want to dive into this cheese ball! It looks heavenly!
Manila Spoon says
You certainly had me at bacon and blue cheese but wow, wow, wow! What a show-stopping appetizer this is – so gorgeous and packed with delicious flavors, too!!! Pinned, too. :)
Ali @ Home & Plate says
I can almost taste it through the screen. That cheeseball looks amazing. I love all the colors and detail. Such great photos too. Yum!