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!
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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!
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- 1 8 oz package cream cheese (I used light), softened
- 4 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, grated (I grate the cheese on the smaller opening)
- ⅔ cup dried cranberries (I used 50% less sugar cranberries)
- 3 green onions, thinly sliced
- 1 6 oz container Blue Diamond Almonds (Smokehouse flavor)
- 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.
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!
MrsAubreyB says
I just made this recipe, and shaped the “balls” into pinecones for Christmas. It was really good when I taste-tested before putting in the fridge overnight. I’m sure it’s even better now. Thanks for sharing!
Trish - Mom On Timeout says
What a fun idea! I may be doing that next year 🙂
Katrina @ In Katrina's Kitchen says
This cheese ball looks completely irresistible!
Kellie @ The Suburban Soapbox says
I loved the tradition of looking for our tree at a tree farm when grown up but sadly, now…I only use an artificial tree because I’m boring and lame. 🙂 I will stare at it all night while I devour this cheese football!. It looks incredible!
Michelle @ Blackberry Babw says
This is such a clever take on a cheeseball! My family would gobble it up!
Linda @ Food Huntress says
This is a wonderful cheese ball for the holidays. I think I will make for a party I’m having this weekend.
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.