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Cheese Balls!
Cheese balls are a great appetizer!! There are so many different varieties! When I was young, I remember my Mom always making a cheeseball for parties and family get togethers. It was an appetizer staple! Typically, my Mom made a cheeseball rolled in nuts. The most popular nut that she used is chopped pecans but there are other nut varieties you can use. The other popular varieties are chopped walnuts, almonds which you can either slice or toast, and pistachios which are very crunchy. If you don’t want to use nuts, you can always roll your cheeseball in herbs, cracked pepper, or even bacon bits. You could use the store bought bacon bits but maybe making your own from freshly cooked bacon would be better! To make your own bacon bits, use 1 pound of bacon. Cut the bacon into 1/4 inch pieces (this will be easier if the bacon is partially frozen), and cook in a cast iron skillet over medium-high heat for 10 – 15 minutes. Make sure to drain the bacon bits on paper towels to remove the excess fat. You can store any left over bacon bits in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
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A cheese ball is a popular appetizer made from a mixture of softened cream cheese, shredded cheese (whatever variety you like) , seasonings, and nuts are always optional. It is shaped into a ball and rolled in a coating such as nuts or herbs. It is served with crackers, pretzels, a hearty chip, or vegetables. Many different types of cheese can be used. You can also make a sweet variety such as a dessert cheese ball. Cheeseball varieties include a cheddar and pimento combination, goat cheese and cranberries which is rolled in pecans, or how about a goat cheese and cream cheese mixture with pineapple, green pepper and pecans. Another option would be to pour Pepper Jelly over your cheeseball. We would always buy homemade pepper jelly at craft shows from one vendor who made her own jellies and pepper jelly. All of her items were so delicious! Maybe you have someone you know who makes jelly or the next time you go to a vendor show, see if there is someone who makes jellies. If using pepper jelly for your cheeseball, you still coat the ball in nuts and then pour the pepper jelly over the nut layer. Pepper jelly is sweet and spicy. It provides a sweet heat flavor to your cheeseball. Pepper jelly is made from peppers, sugar, vinegar, and pectin. It has the same consistency as regular jelly. You could always serve the pepper jelly on the side if you don’t want your whole cheeseball covered in it. Guests could simply put some pepper jelly on their cracker along with the cheese. Something else we did with pepper jelly was to simply put a block of cream cheese on a plate, and pour pepper jelly over it. This is also delicious! It is a very simple way of serving pepper jelly. I can tell you that pepper jelly is worth trying! You can actually buy pepper jelly online here.
There are also vegan varieties of cheeseballs. Vegan cheeseballs are made with a base of tofu, nuts, or nutritional yeast. You can really customize your cheeseball to your likes and make it your own creation. Display your cheese ball on a pretty dish and don’t forget the cheese spreaders!!! Make sure to have a variety of things to dip. A few different kinds of crackers, different types of pretzels are always a hit, or for sweet versions use graham crackers, shortbread cookies, chocolate wafers, and apple slices.
Key Ingredients
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Base: softened cream cheese is essential for texture.
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Cheese: often a combination of cheese is used. Typically it is cream cheese mixed with another variety such as cheddar but other cheeses can be used.
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Flavorings: Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion either fresh or powder, peppers, and a dash of hot sauce or lemon juice to add depth of flavor.
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Coating: chopped nuts (pecans are popular), seeds, or fresh herbs like parsley or chives.
Recipe for a Classic Cheese Ball
Ingredients
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16 ounces cream cheese , softened
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2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, (avoid pre-shredded cheese)
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2 green onions, , chopped
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1 teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
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1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
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1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
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1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
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1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
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dash ground black pepper
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2/3 cup pecans, , finely chopped
Instructions
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Mix cheeseball ingredients: Place cream cheese in a mixing bowl then mix until smooth. Add cheese, green onion, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, parsley, garlic powder, oregano. and pepper then mix well to combine.
16 ounces cream cheese, 2 cups freshly grated sharp cheddar cheese, 2 green onions, 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, 1 teaspoon dried parsley flakes, ½ teaspoon garlic powder, ½ teaspoon Dried oregano, dash freshly ground black pepper
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Form into ball: Use a rubber spatula to scrape the sides of the bowl and gather the mixture into one lump. Lightly grease your hands and form the mixture into a round ball.
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Coat with nuts: Place the pecans on a plate. Hold the cheese ball in one hand and use the other hand to scoop the pecans onto the outside of the ball, pressing them in gently and turning the ball to coat all sides.
2/3 cup pecans
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Chill and serve: Cover the cheeseball in cling wrap and refrigerate for about 1 hour to allow it to firm up. Remove from fridge about 20 minutes before serving to allow it to soften just slightly. Serve with crackers, pretzels, vegetables, pita chips, bread sticks, or whatever you like!
Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball 
Ingredients
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1/2 cup 1 stick salted butter, softened
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1/2 cup powdered sugar
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1/4 cup brown sugar lightly packed
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12 ounces cream cheese softened
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1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 cups mini chocolate chips
Instructions
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In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened butter, powdered sugar and brown sugar. Mix with a hand mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.
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Add the softened cream cheese and vanilla extra and mix again until light and fluffy.
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Stir in 1/2 cup of mini chocolate chips.
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Roll the mixture into a ball, wrap completely in plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. NOTE: You can also make this recipe in advance and store it, wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
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Once your cheese ball has chilled, remove it from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Roll it in mini chocolate chips on a large rimmed plate or shallow bowl until coated. Serve with vanilla wafers, graham crackers, pretzels, or fruit!
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NOTE: If your cheese ball is extra firm, let it soften up at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before rolling in chocolate chips.
Be creative! Think of the flavors you and your guests like! I have quite the sweet tooth and totally enjoy a dessert cheese ball! There are so many different varieties to try. You can change the type of cheese you mix with the cream cheese. You can try different seasonings and sauces. Try different nut combinations for the coating. Then, get a nice variety of crackers, veggies, or pretzels to enjoy your cheese ball with. Don’t forget some nice appetizer plates to serve your guests!
For the sweet cheese ball, you might enjoy Nilla wafers, cookies, graham crackers or fruit! ENJOY!!!!
