Get ready to impress with this unbelievably delicious Cranberry Almond Cheese Ball – made with just FIVE ingredients! This easy recipe is great for entertaining and parties!
Love cheesy appetizers? You’ll go crazy for these Baked Bacon Cheese Dip and creamy Stuffed Mushrooms!
Are you recovered from Thanksgiving yet? I think I’m getting close. We had one heck of a week last week that included a trip to the ER for Reece and ended with a trip to Apple Hill to get our Christmas tree.
I’m ashamed to say that this was our first year going to Apple Hill to get a tree. We are most definitely experts when it comes to where to find the best apple cider, apple donuts and fritters, and where to pick apples from. It was a totally new and awesome experience to go there with a completely different purpose.
The boys declared it a success and I learned that trees in the ground seem a lot bigger at the farm then they do after they’ve been cut and put up in your home. Note to self: BUY the biggest tree available next year 🙂
Our tree is perfect though. And I have to say that not having to clean up millions of dropped needles after bringing the tree into the house was quite refreshing. This will definitely become a family tradition. And more good news: we stocked up on fresh apple cider AND donuts while we were there.
You may have noticed that I’ve been slightly obsessed with cranberries lately. In fact, I even did a roundup of my favorite seasonal cranberry recipes. I need to add this one to the list. And, of course, you all know that I have long been a fan of cheese balls. I like ’em sweet. I like ’em savory.
Some of my favorites are my Mint Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball, Bacon Ranch Beer Cheese Ball and my Blueberry Pie Cheese Ball. Most recently I shared this Pepperoni Pizza Football Cheese Ball which has made frequent appearances on game days since.
I have a new cheese ball to add to our rotation and I hope it’ll find it’s way into your homes this season. I made it into a football again – ’cause now I want everything to look like footballs. If you’re making it for Christmas or New Years, just shape into a ball, instead of a football – no biggie.
I used a can of Blue Diamond Almonds to cover the cheese ball and holy moly do they make this cheese ball POP. Seriously, this is one impressive looking cheese ball and it’s only FIVE ingredients. FIVE. It’s so easy it should be illegal.
I know I wanted to do something with cranberries because, well, LOVE them, obvi. And with the smokehouse flavor of the almonds, I put together a few more essential ingredients including sharp white cheddar cheese and green onions. I used light cream cheese for this cheese ball. It cuts down on calories and fat and really makes the cheese ball creamier and easier to cut into.
I’m all about game changing flavors this football season and this amazing appetizer is sure to be a hit!
More Appetizer Recipes
- Air Fryer Shrimp
- Stuffed Mushrooms
- Black Bean and Corn Salsa
- Pico de Gallo
- Turkey Cranberry Pinwheels
- Air Fryer Pickles
- Lemon Pepper Wings – Baked or Air Fried
How To Make Cranberry Almond Cheese Ball
Cranberry Almond Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese 1 package - I used light, softened
- 4 oz sharp white cheddar cheese grated (I grate the cheese on the smaller opening)
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries I used 50% less sugar cranberries
- 3 green onions thinly sliced
- 6 oz Blue Diamond Almonds 1 container - Smokehouse flavor
Instructions
- Combine the first four ingredients in a medium-size bowl, stirring until well combined.
- Spoon contents onto a plate and use plastic wrap to form into a ball (or football).
- Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
- Cover the entire cheese ball with almonds. You may have some leftover.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve.
- Top with strips of cheese for the football laces if desired.
- Serve with assorted crackers or bread.
Nutrition
More nutty recipes!
Sriracha Almond Crusted Chicken Strips
Salted Caramel Popcorn with Almonds
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This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. Ditch the chips and grab some Game Changing Flavors this football season! Enter for a chance to win the Ultimate Football Party Prize Pack, get great savings and ideas for delicious snack hacks at GameChangingFlavors.com.
Thank you for supporting the brands that make Mom On Timeout possible!
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I think we need to have a moment of silence for whoever created the cheese ball. I mean, seriously, is there anything more amazing than it as far as appetizers go?! NOPE! Love this cranberry almond version, the nut-studded outside is perfect!
Monique @ Ambitious Kitchen says
I recently tried a similar cheese ball at a party, except it was a goat cheese cranberry almond ball — AMAZING! This looks wonderful and perfect for the holidays. xo
Kelly says
Hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving and everything is okay with your little guy. Love the flavors in this cheese ball! So fun and festive – perfect for game day and the holidays!
Kim Beaulieu says
This cheese ball is amazeballs. (sorry, I couldn’t help myself, ha) I love the shape, it’s perfect for tailgating. Plus the flavours are just fabulous. And I laughed about the tree. We get one every year and I have the opposite problem. I get them way too big and we usually have to cut three feet off it to get it to fit. Did you see last year’s on my facebook page? It was ridiculous. Yet I’ll do it again this year. Ha
Amy @ Accidental Happy Baker says
Hope that everything was fine with your little guy. I’m so jealous that you got your tree from a tree farm. I’ve finally convinced my husband that we need real trees, but we just get them from the store. I’d love to have the whole experience though. This cheese ball totally looks like some good party food. Get some wine, some cheese ball, some good friends together to play some games.
Becky Hardin | The Cookie Rookie says
This looks SO GOOD! Those flavors!
Erin @ Dinners, Dishes, and Desserts says
I think today was the day that finally got me recovered and caught up from Thanksgiving. Just in time for cookie exchanges and holiday parties. I love this cheese ball for this weekends football game!
Kimberly @ The Daring Gourmet says
I loooove cheese balls and the football touch is so cute!
Gerry @ Foodness Gracious says
It’s all about the cheese ball!!! Love it.
Cate | Chez CateyLou says
This is so fun, and sounds delicious. I am definitely pinning this to make for the superbowl!
Katerina @ Diethood says
Your cheeseball creations are freakin’ amaaaazing! ALWAYS!
ER trip?! 🙁 I hope Reece is OKAY!
Katie @ Recipe for Perfection says
How cute is that! I love the football shape. Looks perfect for entertaining!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction says
What a fun game day appetizer! Love this!
Mir says
Oh, no! Hope Reece is okay. Holiday weekends and ERs definitely don’t mix.
This is pretty adorable, and it’s awesome that it doesn’t have 50 ingredients. I love it!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Ha, we go to Home Depot for our tree. Very Christmassy! 🙂 LOVE THIS SO MUCH!