I have one last new appetizer for you to share with loved ones this holiday season, and this one is equally as pretty as it is EASY.
These 3-ingredient holiday cheese truffles come together in just about 30 minutes (including a quick chilling time) and are so fun to make — even with kiddos! Start with yummy Alouette Garlic & Herbs Soft Spreadable Cheese or you can use goat cheese, and roll in both sweet and savory toppings for flavorful little bites everyone can spread on crackers or enjoy on their own.
Serve them on a pretty platter with garnish (try a Christmas tree formation!) or add them to a festive charcuterie board and watch friends and family devour.
Everything you’ll need to make these cheese truffles
When I say 3 ingredients, I truly mean it! These holiday cheese truffles couldn’t be easier to make. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Cheese: we’re using Alouette Garlic & Herbs Soft Spreadable Cheese as the base of these cheese truffles. The garlic and herb flavors really shine in these little ramekins of cheese, so you don’t have to add any extra seasonings! You can find this spreadable cheese and many grocery stores. A great alternative is goat cheese or a fun flavored goat cheese.
- Pistachios: you’ll roll half of the cheese balls in finely chopped roasted pistachios for a savory kick.
- Cranberries: you’ll roll the other half in finely chopped dried cranberries for a little sweet option!
More toppings to try
I love the pistachios and dried cranberries to give these a festive, green and red look for the holidays, but you could also roll the cheese truffles in:
- Walnuts
- Pecans
- Crushed pretzels
- Dried cherries
- Fresh chives or scallions
- Bacon bits
- Crushed Ritz crackers
Skip the nuts if you’d like to keep these all nut-free — easy!
Can I use a different cheese base?
Absolutely! If you can’t find Alouette or want to try a new cheese, you can use:
- goat cheese — feel free to try out the fun flavors of goat cheese!
- cream cheese — an herbed cream cheese would be perfect!
Can I make them vegan or dairy-free?
Feel free to swap the cheese for your favorite vegan/dairy-free spreadable cheese.
Easy cheese truffles in 4 steps
- Chill the cheese. Scoop 2 tablespoons of the spreadable cheese, goat cheese or cream cheese for each ball you want to make and place it on a plate lined with parchment paper. Freeze for 20 minutes to firm up the cheese. You can also make these into smaller balls if you prefer.
- Prep your toppings. Add your pistachios and dried cranberries to separate small plates.
- Roll the truffles. Use your hands to roll the scooped cheese into balls, then roll half of the cheese balls in the pistachios and half in the cranberries.
- Garnish & serve. Serve immediately on a garnished platter (see ideas below!) or place them in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
What to serve with holiday cheese truffles
I love to serve these cheese truffles on a charcuterie-style platter with:
- Pita chips
- Pretzels
- A variety of crackers
- Mixed nuts
- Green and red grapes
- Apple slices
- Fresh figs (if you’re feelin’ fancy)
- Fresh rosemary (for garnish)
You could even arrange them like a Christmas tree (pictured in this post), or poke a pretzel stick into each truffle for easy grabbing!
How to store homemade cheese truffles
Store these mini cheese balls in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. I don’t recommend freezing them.
Tools you’ll need
Get all of my kitchen essentials here!
More appetizers you’ll love
- Fig & Goat Cheese Puff Pastry Bites
- Matt’s Olive Cheese Bread
- Garlic Herb Cheese Dip with Honey & Chili Crisp
- Ricotta and Pear Crostini with Salty Pumpkin Seed Pistachio Crunch
- Creamy Jalapeño Spinach Artichoke Dip
Get all of my appetizer recipes here!
I hope you love these 3-ingredient cheese truffles! If you make them, be sure to leave a comment and a rating so I know how you liked them. Enjoy, xo!
Ambitious Kitchen
Cookbook
125 Ridiculously Good For You, Sometimes Indulgent, and Absolutely Never Boring Recipes for Every Meal of the Day
3-Ingredient Holiday Cheese Truffles
Ingredients
- 2 ramekins (13 ounces total) Alouette Garlic & Herbs Soft Spreadable Cheese, or sub a herbed cream cheese or herbed goat cheese
- ⅓ cup roasted pistachios, finely chopped
- ½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- Optional: Rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Line a large plate with parchment paper. Use a 1-ounce cookie scoop (2 tablespoons) to scoop out a ball of cheese and place it on the prepared place. Repeat with the remaining cheese. Place the plate in the freezer for 20 minutes; this will help the balls to firm up so they’re easier to roll.
- Add the chopped pistachios and chopped dried cranberries to two seperate small plates or shallow bowls.
- Remove the plate with the cheese balls out of the freezer. Use your hands to roll the scooped cheese into round balls. Roll half of the cheese balls in the chopped pistachios and half in the chopped cranberries until they’re completely coated.
- Place the truffles on a serving platter. If desired, add rosemary sprigs around the rim of the platter for garnish. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition
Recipe by: Monique Volz // Ambitious Kitchen | Photography by: Eat Love Eats
My Neighbour makes something similar with plain cream cheese rolled in ginger, paprika and roughly chopped toasted almonds.
Sounds delicious!
I have followed you from day 1 Monique. I love SO many of your recipes and have turned countless people on to your site. Since the last 2 weeks or so, every time I click on one of your recipes, I get a large pop up ad from Nissan that covers the entire screen, not just a small window, and runs a minimum of 5-6 times!! It is dreadful!!!! In addition, when I then toggle to another recipe, same thing, 5x a full screen Nissan ad. What is happening? It takes me 10x longer to read the recipe and get the job done. Regretfully I don’t have the time or patience to deal w these awful ads and will have to move on to another site. I hate to leave, but can’t deal with this.
Hi Sonja! Thank you so much for bringing this to my attention – this should not be happening on my site. I’ll be sure to investigate with our ad team, and our deepest apologies for this inconvenience!