The mid-century design theme is currently taking over our offices, homes, and television sets. Our nostalgic craving for the swinging decades of yesterday moves from aesthetics and programming to cuisine with a throwback recipe beloved as much for its simplicity as for its flavor. The cheese ball is making a comeback and for good reason. This no-fuss appetizer is easy to make, can be prepared well ahead of time, has variations aplenty, and it’s likely to be the first thing to disappear at your next holiday party.
How to make a cheese ball:
1. Bring a cup of soft cheese such as cream cheese, goat cheese, quark, or mascarpone to room temperature. Once soft, stir it in a bowl with a wooden spoon until it’s slightly fluffy.
2. For additional flavor and texture, add a cup of shredded cheese such as Parmesan, Manchego, or Asiago. Stir until combined.
3. Stir in additional ingredients such as spices, dried fruit, fried bacon bits, sliced scallions, or herbs such as chives, parsley, or shredded basil. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled.
5. Lay a sheet of parchment paper on a work surface and roll the cheese into a ball.
6. On another sheet of parchment, scatter toppings such as toasted and chopped nuts, herbs, bacon bits, or whatever else your taste buds desire. Roll the cheese ball through the toppings until it is uniformly coated.
7. Refrigerate again until chilled.
To serve, place the ball at the center of a decorative serving plate and scatter crackers or vegetables such as sliced carrots, bell peppers, cucumbers, or celery around it.
LUNAR Stainless Steel Cheese Knife Set, 6 for $27.87 on Amazon
Serve your cheese ball with the right knife to make spreading it easier.
Invent your own delicious combinations, or try one of these recipes.
Chocolate Moosey
This recipe is so simple it’s hard to believe how tempting it is. No one will be able to resist this delectable flavor bomb of cheddar, crunchy bacon, and garlic made even better with the addition of salty, buttery crackers. Get the Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball recipe.
Sweet and Savory by Shinee
This is a lovely recipe to kick off a holiday brunch party and it proves that even cheese balls can be elegant. Lemon and capers keep it bright while slivered almonds dress it up and add texture. Keep it simple and swap out the liquid smoke for smoked salmon and don’t shy away from the horseradish; it adds just the right amount of zing. Get the Salmon Cheese Ball recipe.
Chowhound
What could be better than one cheese ball? Multiple cheese balls, of course. We constructed a surprisingly delicious (and massive) version with several cheesy layers all nested within one another for a showstopping party centerpiece. Get our Turducken of Cheese Balls recipe.
Carrie’s Experimental Kitchen
If you’re looking for something completely unique for your next cheese ball creation then this is the recipe for you. It’s ideal for this season of merrymaking with its beguiling alchemy of pumpkin, maple syrup, pecans, and thyme. Serve it as a breakfast waffle topping or swap out pie for dessert and replace it with this unexpected finale of earthy sweetness. Get the Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe.
Bacon Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball
Wildflour’s Kitchen
This cheese ball recipe has it all with bacon and chicken both coming to the party and ranch dip seasoning mixed in to make your next holiday shindig come alive. It’s absolutely addictive and sure to be the first appetizer to disappear. Get the Bacon Ranch Chicken Cheese Ball recipe.
The Girl Who Ate Everything
Bring the taste of the tropics to your next holiday party with this festive cheese ball recipe that includes pineapple, pecans, and green and red bell peppers to infuse the day with a convivial seasonal spirit. Get the Hawaiian Cheese Ball recipe.
Shugary Sweets
You might need to make two of these cheese balls; one for you and one for your guests. It’s that good and a guaranteed runaway dessert hit. It’s also completely decadent with its brown sugar, butter, mini chocolate chips, and caramel sauce but ‘tis the season for indulgence and extravagance. Get the Turtle Cheese Ball recipe.
Related Video: How to Make a Christmas Owl Cheese Ball
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