These Festive Cranberry Cheese Nibbles are creamy, sweet-tart, and herb-kissed little bites that come together in minutes and chill to party-perfect. Rolled into poppable balls and served with your favorite crackers, they’re an effortless, make-ahead appetizer that sparkles on any holiday spread.
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Crackers, for serving (your choice)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped dried cranberries, finely chopped pecans, rosemary, honey, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
- Scoop small portions with a spoon or small scoop and roll into bite-sized balls. Arrange on a platter or parchment-lined tray.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Serve chilled with your favorite crackers. Enjoy!
Variation
- Citrus-Pistachio: Swap pecans for pistachios and add 1 teaspoon orange zest. Roll finished balls in extra chopped pistachios.
- Goat Cheese Blend: Use 6 oz cream cheese + 2 oz goat cheese; add a pinch of black pepper for tangy balance.
- Savory-Jalapeño Cheddar: Omit honey and vanilla; mix in 1/4 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar and 1–2 teaspoons minced jalapeño.
Cooking Notes
- Properly softened cream cheese blends smoother and prevents lumps; room temp for 30–45 minutes.
- Finely chopping add-ins keeps balls cohesive; large chunks can cause cracking.
- Chilling is key 30 minutes firms the mixture so it holds shape when serving.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with a trio of crackers: buttery rounds, seeded crisps, and whole-grain squares for texture contrast.
- Add to a festive board with grapes, pear slices, prosciutto, olives, and toasted nuts.
- Drizzle with a touch of honey and sprinkle extra rosemary just before serving for shine and aroma.
Tips
- Use a 1-tablespoon mini scoop for even portions and quicker rolling.
- Lightly dampen hands or wear food-safe gloves to prevent sticking while rolling.
- For quick set, pop the tray into the freezer for 10 minutes, then transfer to the fridge.
Prep Time:
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Nutritional Information (Per Serving)
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Protein: 2 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I make these ahead?
Yes roll and chill up to 24 hours in advance. Store covered and garnish just before serving. - Can I freeze them?
Yes freeze on a tray until solid, then bag up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge; texture may soften slightly. - How can I make them nut-free?
Swap pecans for toasted pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds, or roll in chopped chives. - What can I serve them with besides crackers?
Try cucumber rounds, endive leaves, apple slices, or crostini.
Conclusion
Bright, creamy, and beautifully speckled with cranberries and rosemary, these bite-sized nibbles are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser. They mix up in minutes, chill while you prep the rest, and serve like a dream. Make them ahead, dress them up, and watch them disappear from your holiday spread.
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Festive Cranberry Cheese Nibbles
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings (about 24 bite-size nibbles; ~2 per serving) 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian; gluten-free if served with GF crackers
Description
These Festive Cranberry Cheese Nibbles are creamy, sweet-tart, and herb-kissed little bites that come together in minutes and chill to party-perfect. Rolled into poppable balls and served with your favorite crackers, they’re an effortless, make-ahead appetizer that sparkles on any holiday spread.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1/4 cup pecans, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh rosemary, chopped
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Crackers, for serving (your choice)
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped dried cranberries, finely chopped pecans, rosemary, honey, vanilla, and salt. Mix until smooth and evenly combined.
- Scoop small portions with a spoon or small scoop and roll into bite-sized balls. Arrange on a platter or parchment-lined tray.
- Chill for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
- Serve chilled with your favorite crackers. Enjoy!
Notes
- Nutrition is for cheese nibbles only and does not include crackers.
- For neater rounds, chill the mixture 10 minutes before rolling.
- If substituting low-fat cream cheese, texture will be slightly softer.
- Chop cranberries and pecans finely so the balls hold together well.
- Make up to 24 hours ahead; cover tightly to prevent drying.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snack, Holiday
- Method: No-cook (mix and chill)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 nibbles
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 115 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 8 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 20 mg
Keywords: cranberry cheese balls, holiday appetizer, no-bake party snack, cream cheese bites, rosemary, make-ahead
