Description
A delicious, easy, and festive Vegan Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball: a creamy, tangy, plant-based appetizer with sweet-tart cranberries and crunchy pecans, perfect for make-ahead entertaining.
Ingredients
-
16 ounces vegan cream cheese (2 containers, softened)
-
1/4 cup + 2 tablespoons chopped chives or green onions
-
1 1/2 cups dried cranberries, divided
-
1 1/2 cups toasted chopped pecans, divided
Instructions
-
Toast the pecans (if raw): Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread chopped pecans on a baking sheet and bake 7 minutes, until fragrant. Let cool.
-
Prepare the cheese mixture: In a large bowl, combine vegan cream cheese and 1/4 cup chives/green onions (reserve 2 tbsp for coating). Beat with a hand mixer until smooth.
-
Mix in cranberries and pecans: Add 1 cup cranberries and 1 cup toasted pecans, leaving the rest for coating.
-
Form the cheese ball: Place a clean tea towel in a small-medium bowl, scoop in the cheese mixture, and gather the corners of the towel to gently twist. Refrigerate for 1 hour, or up to 3 days.
-
Coat the cheese ball: Combine remaining cranberries, pecans, and chives/green onions on a flat surface. Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in the mixture to coat evenly.
-
Serve: Serve with crackers, pita chips, or vegetables.
Notes
-
Vegan cream cheese brands: Miyokos, Trader Joe’s, Tofutti, Kite Hill, or homemade.
-
Store in the refrigerator up to 1 week.
-
Pecan Flavor: Toasting the pecans significantly enhances their flavor and crunch. Make sure they cool completely before mixing into the cream cheese.
-
Make-Ahead Tip: Assemble up to an hour in advance; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve. The log can be fully assembled and stored for up to 3 days.
-
Serving Tip: Best enjoyed chilled for maximum contrast between cold cheese and crisp coating.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- chill time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Mixing, Chilling, No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: Entire recipe (full batch)
- Calories: ~4,740 kcal
- Sugar: ~350 g
- Sodium: ~1,600 mg
- Fat: ~330 g
- Saturated Fat: 40 g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~285 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: ~420 g
- Fiber: ~32 g
- Protein: ~45 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg (vegan ingredients)
Keywords: Vegan Cheese Ball, Cranberry Pecan Dip, Holiday Appetizer, Make-Ahead Dip, No-Bake Appetizer, Festive Cheese Log, Plant-Based Dip, Pecan Appetizer, Vegan Party Food