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A blast from past party goodness – so retro! No party is complete without a good appetizer and I love this sweet and salty pineapple cheese ball. 

The Perfect Party Appetizer – A Pecan Covered Pineapple Cheese Ball

Does anyone else remember when no party was complete without a cheese ball?

I am probably really dating myself with this, but I used to love when I was a kid and went to a party, a grown-up party, and there was a cheese ball. When I saw that huge ball of deliciousness surrounded by crackers, I considered the party to be a success.

It didn’t take much to make me happy back then and to be honest, that’s still true 😉 

For this month’s The Cooking Housewives holiday extravaganza (scroll to the bottom of this post for all of the other delicious holiday recipes being shared….sweet treats, appetizers, and more!) I decided to make a true American classic, a Pineapple Cheese Ball with chopped dates, raisins, lots of cream cheese, and a freshly ground pecan coating. 

Overhead view of a pineapple cheese ball rolled in pecans on a white platter with butter crackers and dates around it

I realized my sons had been deprived of a holiday cheese ball experience so it was about time I made one for them and we were going to a Christmas open house so I got to kill two birds with one stone. 😉 

This really is easy to make. I always envisioned it being a much more complicated recipe, but seriously, if it were any simpler it would make itself. 

How to Make an Easy Sweet and Salty Nutty Pineapple Cheese Ball 

*Printable Version at Bottom of Post

Ingredients

1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple, drained

2 8 ounce packages cream cheese, softened

1/3 cup raisins

1/2 cup dates, chopped

1/2 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions:

Overhead view of ingredients used to make pineapple cheese dip

I like to start by placing the cream cheese only in a bowl and mashing it up with a fork. This softens it up a little and makes it easier to add and mix in the other ingredients.

Next, add the dates to the cream cheese, 

then the raisins, 

and lastly, the pineapple.

Mix all together until it’s nice and creamy. 

Place the chopped nuts into a bowl.
Take the mixed cheese ball ingredients and form into one giant ball. Place in the bowl of nuts and roll around to coat all sides.
 
Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to serve.
Pineapple Cheese Ball rolled in pecans on a beautiful white platter with dates and butter crackers

Pineapple Cheese Ball

Mary Beth
A delicious cheese ball perfect for entertaining and reminiscent of the 1980s! 
5 from 2 votes
Print Recipe
Prep Time 5 mins
Total Time 5 mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 20
Calories 118 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 8 ounce can crushed pineapple drained
  • 2 8 ounce packages cream cheese softened
  • 1/3 cup raisins
  • 1/2 cup dates chopped
  • 1/2 cup pecans chopped

Instructions
 

  • Before adding any ingredients I like to smoosh up my cream cheese using a fork to make it nice and smooth. 
  • Next, and the dates to the cream cheese,  
  • then the raisins, 
  • and lastly, the crushed pineapple. 
  • Mix all together well until it's nice and creamy!
  • Now, I like to take the chopped pecans and give them a quick run through a mixer or food processor to make it less chunky and more spreadable but you don't want it to be a "dust" so easy does it.
  • Place about half of the nuts into a bowl, take your mixed cheese ball ingredients and form them into a giant delectable orb of cheese and roll it around in the nuts until all sides are coated.
  • Wrap the ball in some plastic wrap and keep refrigerated until ready to serve. I served the one I made the same day BUT it is better, the flavors blend together in a more harmonious manner (I'm getting all chef-y now, aren't I?) if you let it sit about a day. Serve with some buttery crackers or any crackers you prefer! 

Video

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts
Pineapple Cheese Ball
Amount Per Serving
Calories 118 Calories from Fat 81
% Daily Value*
Fat 9g14%
Saturated Fat 4g25%
Cholesterol 24mg8%
Sodium 73mg3%
Potassium 99mg3%
Carbohydrates 7g2%
Fiber 0g0%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 310IU6%
Vitamin C 1.2mg1%
Calcium 28mg3%
Iron 0.3mg2%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Keyword Appetizer, Cheese Ball
Tried this recipe? Let me know what you think!Mention @TheHowToHome or tag #thehowtohome!

If you’re concerned about guests with nut allergies, you can absolutely omit the pecans. 

What’s your favorite party appetizer? I would love to hear about it and if it’s retro we can nosh on the good old days!

More Easy Appetizer Recipes:

The links below will take you directly to all of the other amazing recipes being shared by The Cooking Housewives this month.

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collage of 13 Christmas appetizers and desserts including Christmas cookies