There’s something so festive and fun about these bite-sized delights, and the **Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe** truly captures that holiday sparkle. With just three ingredients, you get a perfect balance of creamy, crunchy, and tangy that’s guaranteed to impress your guests and yourself.

The image shows a white plate with a light brown textured rim holding small cheese balls covered in two different coatings. The cheese balls are arranged in three rows, with the first and third rows featuring cream cheese balls coated in red dried cranberries, which look chunky and shiny, and the second row featuring cheese balls coated in crushed green pistachios with a rough texture and bits of nuts visible. Fresh green sprigs of rosemary lie across the plate, adding contrast. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a green cloth partially visible at the bottom left corner. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I always keep this Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe in my arsenal when the holiday season rolls around. It’s so simple yet elegant, and it feels like such a thoughtful treat without any fuss.

Minimal Ingredients: Only three main ingredients make this recipe quick and stress-free to whip up, even at the last minute.
Perfect Holiday Flavors: Tart cranberries and rich pistachios pair beautifully with herbed cheese for a festive taste your guests will rave about.
Make-Ahead Friendly: Pop them in the fridge or freezer ahead of time and have delightful bites ready when guests arrive.
Versatile and Customizable: You can easily swap cheeses or coatings to fit your taste or dietary needs.

On a large white ceramic plate with textured edges, there are 24 cheese balls arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, with three layers. The bottom layer has 9 balls, the middle layer has 8 balls, and the top layer has 7 balls. The cheese balls come in two colors and textures: bright red ones coated with finely chopped dried cranberries, and pale green ones covered in chopped pistachios. Fresh green rosemary sprigs are placed between the cheese balls, acting as tree branches. The plate is placed on a green cloth, with more rosemary sprigs scattered around and three green glasses partially visible. The whole setup sits on a white marbled surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

These ingredients come together like a holiday party in your mouth — creamy cheese, crunchy pistachios, and sweet-tart cranberries. Here’s why I love each one and some tips on picking the best for your cheese truffles.

Flat lay of a simple white ceramic ramekin filled with a smooth, soft herbed cream cheese, a small white bowl with finely chopped roasted pistachios showing vibrant green and golden hues, a small white bowl holding finely chopped deep red dried cranberries, and a few fresh green rosemary sprigs arranged neatly beside them, all placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Herbed Soft Spreadable Cheese: I like using Alouette Garlic & Herbs, but any good-quality herbed cream cheese or goat cheese works great. The soft texture helps form easy-to-roll truffles and packs each bite with flavor.
Roasted Pistachios: They bring a satisfying crunch and earthy richness. Be sure to finely chop them so they cling to the cheese and don’t overwhelm.
Dried Cranberries: Their sweet and tangy notes add freshness and a festive color contrast. Chop them finely to get consistent coverage on the truffles.
Optional Rosemary Sprigs (for garnish): Not edible but totally elevate the presentation with their piney, holiday vibe.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the joys of this Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe is how easily it adapts to your taste buds and pantry. I often tweak it depending on the crowd or the occasion — and you should too!

Variation: Sometimes I swap goat cheese for cream cheese to get a tangier bite — it also changes the texture a bit, which some guests adore.
Nut-Free Option: If you want to skip nuts, roll all the truffles in dried cranberries or try crushed freeze-dried raspberries for a fresh twist.
Vegan/Dairy-Free: I’ve experimented with vegan cream cheeses that aren’t overly soft, and they work nicely if you want to keep things plant-based.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe

Step 1: Chill and Scoop the Cheese

First, line a large plate with parchment paper — this helps keep things tidy and prevents sticking. Using a one-ounce cookie scoop (about 2 tablespoons), scoop out cheese balls onto the parchment. Once all your cheese is scooped, pop the plate in the freezer for 20 minutes. This step is key because it firms up the cheese, making the truffles easier to roll and shape cleanly. I learned the hard way that skipping this makes the rolling much messier!

Step 2: Prep Your Coatings

While the cheese chills, spread the chopped pistachios on one small plate and the chopped cranberries on another. Having these ready means you can quickly move from rolling to coating without losing the cold firmness of the cheese balls.

Step 3: Roll and Coat Your Truffles

Remove the chilled cheese scoops from the freezer. Using your hands, gently roll each scoop into a round ball. Half of my usual batch gets rolled in pistachios, and the other half in cranberries. Press gently but firmly to ensure the coatings stick well. If the cheese starts to get too soft while rolling, just pop the plate back in the freezer for a few minutes. Keeping the cheese firm is the trick to perfectly shaped truffles.

Step 4: Plate and Garnish

Place the truffles on a serving platter. I love tucking little rosemary sprigs around the edges—it adds a festive touch and a lovely aroma. You can serve the truffles immediately or refrigerate them until it’s time to wow your guests.

Top Tip

Drawing from my experience, here are some handy tips to nail this recipe every time and impress effortlessly:

Freeze for Firmness: Don’t overlook the freezing step before rolling—it makes shaping these little balls so much easier and less messy.
Use a Cookie Scoop: This tool helps you get uniform-sized truffles, so your guests enjoy perfectly bite-sized pieces.
Chop Finely: For both pistachios and cranberries, fine chopping ensures they stick nicely and deliver flavor in every bite.
Handle with Care: Cheese warms quickly, so if it softens too much while rolling, just give it a quick chill to firm it back up.

How to Serve Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe

holiday cheese truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for fresh herbs at holiday time, so rosemary sprigs are my go-to garnish. They add an elegant pop of green and a woodsy scent that complements the cheese’s herbal notes beautifully.

Side Dishes

This recipe shines at parties alongside crusty bread, assorted crackers, or even a charcuterie board filled with meats, olives, and pickles. It also pairs surprisingly well with a crisp white wine or sparkling cider for festive sipping.

Creative Ways to Present

I once arranged these truffles in little paper cupcake liners on a tiered cake stand for a holiday open house. It made them feel extra special and easy for guests to grab while mingling. You can also scatter edible flowers or drizzle a little honey over some for added flair.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover truffles keep best when tightly covered in the fridge for up to three days. Laying them out in a single layer with parchment paper between layers prevents sticking and keeps their shape intact.

Freezing

Freezing is a game-changer for this recipe. Make your truffles in advance, freeze on a tray until firm, then transfer to an airtight container. When you want to serve, pop them in the fridge the day before to thaw slowly, keeping texture perfect.

Reheating

These are best served chilled or at room temperature—reheating isn’t necessary. Just remove from the fridge a bit before serving to soften slightly for the best creamy texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use different nuts instead of pistachios?

Absolutely! Almonds, pecans, or walnuts all work well—just make sure to chop them finely for even coverage.

How far in advance can I make these truffles?

You can prepare and freeze the truffles up to 2 weeks ahead. Just thaw them in the fridge the day before you want to serve.

Are these truffles suitable for a nut-free diet?

Yes! Simply roll all the cheese balls in dried cranberries or try other coatings like crushed freeze-dried berries instead of nuts.

What cheese do you recommend for the best flavor?

I personally love a good herbed soft cheese like Alouette Garlic & Herbs, but herbed cream cheeses or goat cheeses work wonderfully depending on your preference for tanginess and creaminess.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios and Cranberries Recipe is one of those joyful, easy-to-make dishes that always brings smiles around my holiday table. Whether you’re hosting a big party or just want a little festive nibble with friends, these truffles deliver on flavor, charm, and simplicity. I hope you enjoy making and sharing them as much as I do—it’s truly one of those “wow, that was easy!” recipes worth keeping forever.