Cranberry-Rosemary Vegan Cheese Ball

ByHannah Peterson

Cranberry-Rosemary Vegan Cheese Ball

A festive, creamy, tangy dairy-free cheese ball bursting with holiday flavors!

If you’re searching for a show-stopping vegan appetizer that instantly steals the spotlight, this Cranberry-Rosemary Vegan Cheese Ball is the recipe you need. Imagine a creamy, tangy, spreadable cheese center wrapped in a gorgeous crust of chopped cranberries, toasted nuts, and fragrant rosemary. Elegant enough for a holiday table, easy enough for everyday snacking, and delicious enough to disappear in minutes!

This plant-based cheese ball is made with simple ingredients like cashews and vegan cream cheese, yet tastes so decadent that even non-vegans go wild for it. Serve it with crackers, sliced baguette, or crisp veggies and watch it become the talk of the table. ✨

🥣 Ingredients

For the Cheese Ball Base:

  • 1 cup raw cashews, soaked 2 hours (or boiled 10 minutes)
  • 8 oz vegan cream cheese
  • 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
  • 1 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • ½ tsp onion powder
  • ½ tsp sea salt (more to taste)
  • 1–2 tsp fresh rosemary, finely minced

For the Exterior Coating:

  • ½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • ½ cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp fresh rosemary, minced
  • Optional: cracked black pepper

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Cheese Base

Add soaked cashews, vegan cream cheese, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, maple syrup, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and rosemary to a food processor.
Blend until completely smooth, creamy, and spreadable. Scrape down the sides as needed.

Taste and adjust—add more lemon for tang, more salt for depth, or a touch more maple for balance.

2️⃣ Shape the Cheese Ball

Scoop the cheese mixture onto a piece of parchment paper.
Use your hands or the paper to shape it into a ball.
Refrigerate for 2–3 hours, or freeze for 30–45 minutes until firm enough to coat.

3️⃣ Make the Cranberry-Nut Coating

In a small bowl, combine chopped cranberries, chopped pecans or walnuts, and rosemary.
Spread the mixture on a plate.

Gently roll the chilled cheese ball in the mixture, pressing lightly so it adheres on all sides.

4️⃣ Serve & Enjoy

Place the cheese ball on a serving board with crackers, toasted bread, sliced apples, grapes, or raw veggies.
Garnish with a sprig of rosemary for that perfect holiday touch. 🎄✨

🌿 Tips & Variations

  • Make it nut-free: Substitute sunflower seeds or use a nut-free vegan cream cheese base.
  • Boost the flavor: Add a splash of white wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar for extra tang.
  • Prep ahead: Store in the fridge for up to 5 days—flavors get even better overnight!
  • Holiday twist: Add orange zest to the coating for a festive citrus aroma.

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