Christmas Cheese Ball
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This “ultimate” Christmas Cheese Ball recipe features bacon, dried cranberries, blue cheese, Cheddar cheese, green onions, and pecans. It showcases the traditional Christmas colors all wrapped up in one incredibly delicious cheese ball that’s guaranteed to be a hit at your next get-together! Savory, sweet, salty and PACKED with FLAVOR, it’s simply irresistible!
The cheese ball needs to make a comeback. But not as a repetition of history. No, the cheese balls of yesteryear deservedly earned a bad rap. You know the ones: A mass of sticky artificial orange industrial goo (ie, Velveeta) squished into a ball, rolled in some nuts and served with crackers. By the time this round object masquerading as cheese had been sitting at room temperature for 37 minutes it became so unappetizing in appearance that the party guests began drifting further and further away from the table. Yes, that’s the one. That cheese ball needs to make a permanent exit.
Fortunately in recent years cream cheese has taken the place of the unidentifiable orange stuff. Its tangy, neutral flavor is the perfect base for any number of fun flavor combinations.
I think I’ve only ever made a grand total of four cheese balls in my life. But this Christmas Cheese Ball recipe that I developed several years ago led me to an irrevocable decision: Cheese balls need to make a regular appearance in my home. They’re just too good not to.
What is in the ULTIMATE Christmas Cheese Ball?
This Christmas Cheese Ball features the Christmas colors of red, white and green in the form of smoky bacon, sweet dried cranberries, cream cheese and green onions and those flavors are given an additional massive flavor boost with the inclusion of Cheddar cheese, blue cheese, and pecans. PACKED with flavor, it is a real feast for the palate!
At the time I developed this recipe our daughter was only 3 years old and she loved it then and still loves it today. Now, 7 years later, she still requests this. It’s become a favorite in our home.
Super easy to make, you can shape this into a cheese ball or into a log or any design you heart desires. Either way, it’s going to be a hit! For best results just be sure to let the cheese ball sit in the fridge for at least a few hours so the flavor have time to meld.
Christmas Cheese Ball Recipe
Let’s get started!
Combine all the ingredients in a bowl.
Stir or knead together until thoroughly combined.
Shape into a ball (or log if preferred) and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least an hour or up to 2 days.
Toss the outer layer ingredients to combine and spread them out on a plate. Roll the ball in them to even coat the outer layer.
Serve immediately or wrap it again in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until ready to use.
Serve with crackers and enjoy!
For more delicious spreads and dips be sure to try our:
- Black Olive Tapenade
- Neiman Marcus Dip
- Pimento Cheese
- Indian Red Lentil Dip
- Black Olive Tapenade
- Smoked Salmon Spread
- Queso Fundido
- Chicken Liver Pate
- French Onion Dip Mix
- Obatzda
- Hummus
- Baba Ganoush
- Peach Bacon Jam
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Christmas Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese , softened at room temperature
- 1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1/4 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 4 strips thick-cut bacon , cooked and crumbled
- 2 green onions , sliced
- 3 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 3 tablespoons chopped dried cranberries
- For the outer layer:
- 2 green onions , sliced
- 2 tablespoons chopped pecans
- 2 tablespoons chopped dried cranberries
- 2 tablespoons crumbled bacon
- crackers of choice for serving
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a bowl and stir or knead together until thoroughly combined. Form the mass into a ball or log (whichever shape desired) and wrap it in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least one hour or up to 2 days.
- Toss the outer layer ingredients together to combine and spread them out on a plate. Roll the cheese ball in them to evenly coat the surface. Serve immediately or wrap in plastic wrap and store in the fridge until ready to use. Serve with crackers.
Nutrition
Originally published on The Daring Gourmet December 22, 2015
Hi, I’m Kimberly Killebrew and welcome to Daring Gourmet where you'll find delicious originals, revitalized classics, and simply downright good eats from around the world! Originally from Germany, later raised in England, world-traveled, and now living in the U.S., from my globally-influenced kitchen I invite you to tour the world through your taste buds!
The Pandora recipe – what if I do not have the pandoro mold – what can I subsitute for it?
Thanks Kimberly
Hi Karin, the pandoro mold has a 9-cup capacity, so you can substitute a loaf pan or bundt pan that has the same/similar capacity.
Hi Kimberly, I made the Cheese Ball for our Christmas Party. My exercise group loved it and they took some home for their hubbies. I made one first for my family and it was gone in no time. I really appreciate your recipes. Froehliche Weihnachten to you and your Family
Wunderbar, Rosemarie, das freut mich sehr! :) I’m so glad it was a hit, thank you very much for the feedback. A fröhliche Weihnachten to you and your family also! <3
I LOVE this cheese ball! I have made it several times for parties and everyone loves it. I do add chopped jalapeno peppers that have been seeded and membranes removed. This gives it just a bit of a bite!
Fantastic, Marie, I’m so happy it’s become a regular and really appreciate the feedback, thank you!
How many 1 inch size cheese bites(balls) would this make?
I don’t see anywhere at the end of the post how much you need to keep aside for the outer layer. Can you just say how much please?
I made this cheese ball and it was a huge hit!!!! Everyone loved it!!! The blue cheese is what makes it stand out I can’t wait to make it again! Thank you for sharing this recipe.
Fantastic, Stephanie, thanks so much!
I’ve made this Cheese Ball twice now and it is so yummy! I served it at a family party yesterday and it was a BIG hit, My granddaughter’s eyes light up when I told her to wrap up the leftover and take it home!
Fantastic, Carron, I’m so glad it was a hit, thank you!
this Cheese ball looks great, thanks for the recipe. Ingredients are on my shopping list! Happy New Years Kimberly !
Thank you, Shannon, Happy New Year! :)