A Christmas tree cheese ball is the appetizer that gets everyone gathering around the table. Instead of one big ball, you roll a creamy cream cheese mixture into 21 mini cheese balls, coat them in chopped pecans and line them up in rows on a platter to form a tree. Dried cranberries become the ornaments and a little cheddar star sits on top.
The filling is sweet and savory: crushed pineapple and dried cranberries for brightness, red bell pepper and chives for color and bite, and a little garlic to keep it from tasting like dessert. Each guest grabs a ball and a cracker, so there is no messy knife or broken crackers.
Why You’ll Love It
- A real centerpiece. It looks impressive with zero special skills.
- Make-ahead friendly. Shape the balls up to a day early.
- Sweet, savory and crunchy. Cream cheese, fruit, herbs and toasted pecans.
- Easy to serve. One ball per cracker, no spreading.
- Simple ingredients. Everything is easy to find at any grocery store.
Ingredients and Substitutions
Full amounts are in the recipe card below.
- Cream cheese (16 ounces): Two 8-ounce blocks of full-fat cream cheese, softened. Tub-style spread is too soft to hold a shape.
- Crushed pineapple (one 8-ounce can): Drain it in a fine sieve and press out as much juice as you can, then blot with a paper towel. You should have about ½ cup. Wet pineapple makes a mixture that is too soft to roll.
- Dried cranberries (¾ cup, divided): Half a cup is chopped and mixed in; the rest are pressed onto the balls as ornaments.
- Pecans (2 cups finely chopped, divided): Half a cup goes into the mixture and 1½ cups make the coating. Toasting them for 6 to 8 minutes at 350°F deepens the flavor. Walnuts work too.
- Red bell pepper (¼ cup, finely diced): Optional, but it adds festive color and crunch.
- Fresh chives (3 tablespoons, chopped): Or the green parts of 2 green onions.
- Garlic powder (½ teaspoon), salt (¼ teaspoon) and black pepper (¼ teaspoon): Just enough to balance the sweet fruit.
- Cheddar (1 slice): For cutting the star topper. A pineapple chunk or a small piece of red bell pepper works too.
- Crackers for serving: Buttery round crackers, wheat crackers, pita chips or toasted baguette slices.
How to Make a Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
- Mix. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the drained pineapple, ½ cup chopped cranberries, ½ cup chopped pecans, red bell pepper, chives, garlic powder, salt and pepper until evenly combined.
- Chill. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour, until firm enough to scoop and roll.
- Shape. Scoop the mixture into 21 even portions, a scant 3 tablespoons each, and roll them between lightly damp hands into balls about 1¾ inches across. Set them on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Coat. Put 1½ cups finely chopped pecans in a shallow bowl. Roll each ball in the pecans, pressing gently so the nuts stick. Chill the coated balls for at least 30 minutes so they firm up again.
- Build the tree. On a large platter, arrange the balls in rows to form a triangle: 6 at the bottom, then 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 at the top.
- Decorate. Press a dried cranberry onto each ball like an ornament. Cut a star from the cheddar slice with a small cookie cutter or a paring knife and set it on the top ball.
- Serve. Arrange crackers around the base of the tree as the trunk and along the sides. Serve chilled.
Tips for Success
Drain the pineapple well
This is the most important step. Press the pineapple in a sieve, then blot it. Extra juice makes the balls soft and sticky.
Chill before and after rolling
Cold mixture rolls cleanly, and chilled balls hold their shape on the platter. If the mixture warms up and sticks to your hands, pop it back in the fridge for 15 minutes.
Chop the pecans finely
Small pieces coat the balls evenly. Large chunks fall off and leave bald spots.
Use damp hands
A little water on your palms keeps the cream cheese from sticking while you roll.
Variations
- One big cheese ball: Shape the whole mixture into one ball or a cone-shaped tree and roll it in pecans.
- Cheddar cranberry: Add 1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar to the mixture.
- Spicy: Mix in 1 tablespoon finely minced jalapeño.
- Herb coating: Roll half the balls in chopped parsley for a green tree with pecan stripes.
- Nut-free: Coat the balls in finely chopped parsley and dried cranberries instead of pecans.
Make-Ahead and Storage
- Make ahead: Roll and coat the balls up to 24 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate, then build the tree just before serving.
- Serving time: Keep the platter out no more than 2 hours. On a long party table, set out half the tree and refill from the fridge.
- Leftovers: Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 4 days. Freezing is not recommended because the pineapple and pepper release water as they thaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use fresh pineapple?
Yes. Finely chop about ½ cup fresh pineapple, then press and blot it well. Fresh pineapple is juicier, so drain it thoroughly.
How many people does this serve?
About 10 to 12 as part of an appetizer spread, with 21 balls and plenty of crackers.
Can I use light cream cheese?
Use full-fat if you can. Reduced-fat cream cheese is softer and can be hard to roll, though it works if you chill the mixture longer.
Why is the mixture too soft to roll?
Usually the pineapple was not drained well or the mixture needs more chilling. Chill another 30 minutes, and if it is still soft, stir in 2 to 3 tablespoons more chopped pecans.
Christmas Tree Cheese Ball with Cranberries and Pecans
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Stir in the pineapple, chopped cranberries, ½ cup pecans, bell pepper, chives, garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Cover and refrigerate 1 hour, until firm.
- Scoop 21 portions, a scant 3 tablespoons each, and roll into balls with damp hands. Set on a parchment-lined sheet pan.
- Roll each ball in 1½ cups finely chopped pecans, pressing gently. Chill at least 30 minutes.
- Arrange on a platter in rows of 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1 to form a tree.
- Press a cranberry onto each ball and top the tree with a cheddar star.
- Arrange crackers around the tree and serve chilled.
Notes
Save this recipe: Pin this Christmas tree cheese ball for holiday parties and Christmas appetizer spreads.
