Name: Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe
Prep time: 5 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 13 ounces Alouette Garlic & Herbs Soft Spreadable Cheese (or herbed cream cheese or herbed goat cheese); ⅓ cup roasted pistachios, finely chopped; ½ cup dried cranberries, finely chopped; Rosemary sprigs for garnish

There's something irresistibly festive about creamy, tangy cheese paired with crunchy pistachios and sweet cranberries. This Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe is that perfect little bite that can light up any celebration or cozy night in.

The image shows a white plate with a rough, light beige rim filled with small round balls. There are two types of balls: some are covered with chopped bright green pistachio nuts, and others are coated with deep red dried cranberry pieces mixed with some white cream showing through. The balls are placed in a scattered pattern on the plate, with fresh green rosemary sprigs arranged in small bunches between them. The background has a white marbled texture. 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 Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I’m genuinely excited to share this recipe because it’s so simple yet feels incredibly fancy. No one needs to know it’s made with just three main ingredients—perfect for holiday entertaining when you want to impress without the hassle.

Effortless Elegance: With just a handful of common ingredients, you get a sophisticated appetizer that looks beautiful and tastes divine.
Flavor Harmony: Creamy, herby cheese combined with crunchy pistachios and tart cranberries gives you a perfect balance of textures and tastes.
Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep these truffles ahead of time so you're not juggling everything on party day.
Customizable: You can easily swap ingredients or coatings based on dietary needs or what you have in your pantry—I'll share some tips below!

The image shows an oval white plate with a textured rim holding small round balls arranged in a Christmas tree shape on a white marbled surface. The balls are in two colors: bright red and pale yellow-green, each covered with small pieces of nuts or dried fruit giving a rough texture. Fresh green rosemary sprigs decorate and fill spaces between the balls, also shaped to resemble the branches of the tree. The plate sits on a green cloth with some extra rosemary sprigs scattered around and two glasses with dark green rims nearby. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in the Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe plays a crucial role. The creamy cheese forms a luscious base, while nuts and dried fruit add texture and bursts of flavor. Here’s why I pick these:

Flat lay of a small mound of fresh herbed cream cheese with visible garlic and herbs, a small white ceramic bowl filled with finely chopped roasted pistachios, a small white ceramic bowl containing finely chopped vibrant red dried cranberries, and a few fresh green rosemary sprigs artfully arranged 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

Soft Spreadable Cheese: I love using Alouette Garlic & Herbs because it’s herby, tangy, and spreads easily into smooth balls; of course, herbed goat cheese or cream cheese works just as well.
Roasted Pistachios: The light crunch and buttery flavor of roasted pistachios brighten each bite; make sure to chop them finely so they stick beautifully to the cheese.
Dried Cranberries: They add just enough sweet tartness and chew to contrast the richness of the cheese — plus, their bright red color looks amazing!
Rosemary Sprigs (optional): These provide a fresh, piney aroma that’s super festive when scattered around the serving platter.

📝

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 my favorite things about the Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your taste or dietary needs. I often make a batch all coated in pistachios and another batch rolled in cranberries for variety, but you can get creative!

Nut-Free Option: Roll all your truffles in dried cranberries or finely chopped seeds like pumpkin or sunflower for those avoiding nuts. It still tastes festive and pretty.
Dairy-Free/Vegan Variation: Using a firm, herbed dairy-free cheese spread works wonderfully—just make sure it’s sturdy enough to scoop into balls so it holds shape.
Add Fresh Herbs: For an extra touch, I sometimes fold in a bit of finely chopped fresh rosemary or thyme into the cheese mixture before forming the balls.

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

Step 1: Chill and Scoop the Cheese

Start by lining a plate with parchment paper; this stops the cheese balls from sticking. Using a cookie scoop or spoon, portion out the herbed cheese into roughly 2-tablespoon balls. Pop the plate into the freezer for about 20 minutes to firm up the cheese. This little chill makes rolling so much easier and prevents your hands from getting gooey.

Step 2: Prep Your Coating Plates

While the cheese is chilling, spread the finely chopped pistachios and cranberries onto two separate shallow bowls or plates. This keeps your coatings organized and means you can roll swiftly once the cheese is ready.

Step 3: Roll and Coat Your Truffles

Take the cheese balls out of the freezer. Using your hands, gently roll each scoop into a smooth round ball. Then roll half the truffles in the nut coating and the other half in cranberries, pressing lightly so they stick all over. The contrast is gorgeous and gives guests a choice!

Step 4: Serve or Store

Arrange the coated cheese truffles on a pretty platter. Adding a few fresh rosemary sprigs around the edges adds a wonderful fragrance and holiday vibe. You can serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate them until you're ready—up to a few days.

Top Tip

From my experience, these little steps can make your Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe shine the most. They help the texture stay just right and the flavors pop.

Freeze Before Rolling: Chilling the cheese balls prevents them from melting in your hands and makes rolling easier and neater.
Finely Chop Toppings: Smaller nut and cranberry pieces adhere better and give a uniform coat that's easier to bite through.
Use a Cookie Scoop: This ensures your truffles are all the same size so they look attractive on the platter and serve evenly.
Serve Slightly Chilled: Room temperature cheeses can get too soft—serve chilled but not frozen solid to keep their shape and texture perfect.

How to Serve Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe

Holiday Cheese Truffles - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I love arranging fresh rosemary sprigs around the truffles for an herbal, festive aroma that welcomes guests before they even take a bite. Sometimes, a sprinkle of flaky sea salt or black pepper on the pistachio truffles adds a subtle pop, too.

Side Dishes

These truffles are fantastic alongside crusty bread, a vibrant winter salad, or a fig and prosciutto platter. They’re also great served with a crisp white wine or bubbly for holiday cheer.

Creative Ways to Present

Try presenting your Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe nestled in a festive bowl of pomegranate seeds or lined up on a slate board with small spoons and honey drizzles for a rustic, elegant touch. I once served them in mini cupcake liners, which made for fun grab-and-go bites at a party.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store any leftovers tightly covered in the refrigerator, ideally in an airtight container lined with parchment paper to keep them from sticking. They’ll keep well for up to 3 days without losing their texture or flavor.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these truffles before by placing them in a single layer on a parchment-lined tray, then transferring them to a freezer-safe container once solid. When you're ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge, then give them a quick gentle roll to freshen up the coatings.

Reheating

These truffles don’t require reheating. I recommend serving them chilled or at cool room temperature. If you find the cheese stiff from the fridge or freezer, let them sit out for about 10–15 minutes to soften slightly before enjoying.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other cheeses for the Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe?

Absolutely! While I find herbed spreadable cheeses work best because of their flavor and texture, you can use plain cream cheese mixed with your favorite herbs, or even a soft goat cheese. Just make sure the cheese is spreadable but firm enough to shape into balls.

How far ahead can I make these truffles?

You can make these cheese truffles up to 3 days in advance. Keep them covered tightly in the refrigerator. For best texture and flavor, bring them out about 10 minutes before serving so they aren’t too cold.

What are some alternative coatings if I don't have pistachios or cranberries?

Great alternatives include finely chopped almonds, walnuts, dried cherries, or even poppy seeds for a nut-free option. Fresh herbs like chopped parsley or thyme can also add a unique twist on the traditional coatings.

Can these truffles be made vegan or dairy-free?

Yes! Use a firm dairy-free cheese spread with herbs. Just make sure it’s not too soft, so it can hold its shape when rolled. You may need to chill the cheese a bit longer before rolling.

Final Thoughts

This Holiday Cheese Truffles with Pistachios Recipe has become one of my go-to treats whenever I want something festive but fuss-free. Its blend of creamy, crunchy, and sweet flavors always impresses guests and family alike. Honestly, it’s one of those recipes you’ll find yourself making over and over, whether for a holiday party or just a cozy night in with a glass of wine. Give it a try—I promise it’ll become a favorite, too.