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A Cranberry cheeseball in the shape of a Santa hat, surrounded by crackers on a white platter.
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5 from 2 votes

Cranberry Cheese Ball

Make it festive this holiday season with a delicious Cranberry Cheese Ball shaped like Santa's hat!
Prep Time20 minutes
refrigerate one hour1 hour
Total Time1 hour 20 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 24
Author: Lifestyle Gleam

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 16 ounces white cheddar cheese shredded
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • 6 ounces dried cranberries
  • 1 large marshmallow optional, for top of hat

Instructions

  • Combine cream cheese (less a small handful to create a ball for the hat), cheddar cheese, worcestershire sauce and garlic in a mixing bowl.
    16 ounces cream cheese, 16 ounces white cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon garlic, 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
  • Mold into desired shape.
  • Roll onto parchment lined in dried cranberries, or try pressing them into the cheese ball with your hands.Place on platter.
    6 ounces dried cranberries
    Hands pressing dried cranberries onto a cheese ball
  • Optional: roll cream cheese into a ball, insert toothpick and insert it into the top of the hat.
    1 large marshmallow
    A hand placing a marshmallow on top of a cranberry covered cheese ball to make it look like a santa hat.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve. Allow to set out 20 minutes before serving with crackers, pretzels, pita chips or veggies.
    cranberry cheese ball in santa hat shape

Video

Notes

  • Be sure to cover your cranberry cheese ball tightly. This not only helps it keep its shape when you refrigerate, but it prevents air from getting inside and drying it out before serving.
  • Fresh shredded cheese is always best! Pre-shredded bagged cheese is covered in substance meant to keep it from sticking – which also keeps it from a creamy finish in your recipes.
  • This is delicious at room temperature but it can certainly be served cold right out of the fridge. It’s delicious either way, which is why it’s such a perfect make-ahead party food!

Variations

  • Add Chopped Pecans
  • Add Green Onion or Chives
  • Substitute White Cheddar with Gorgonzola
  • Substitute Cream Cheese with Goat Cheese

Serving Suggestions

  • Pear and apple slices - Just toss them in lemon juice to prevent browning.
  • Carrots and celery are the perfect low-carb alternative to serve with a cheese ball.
  • Crostini - Crunchy crostini is the ultimate way to enjoy a cheese spread, especially when drizzled in olive oil.
  • Salty pretzels 
  • Buttery crackers 

Storage Notes

You can leave this Santa's hat cheese ball out for up to two hours while serving. Make this cheese ball up to one day in advance and store tightly wrapped (prior to adding toppings). Store for up to one week in the refrigerator.

Nutrition

Calories: 164kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 13g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 41mg | Sodium: 183mg | Potassium: 51mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 443IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 157mg | Iron: 1mg