What is a Cheese Ball?

A cheese ball is a type of hors d'oeuvre that consists of a ball of soft cheese, often mixed with seasonings and covered in finely chopped nuts. Cheese balls are often available pre-made at the supermarket or cheese shop, but they are also easy to make at home. If you make your own cheese ball, you can experiment with ingredients and make it just the way you like it.

Cheese balls are popular at parties, where they are often served with raw vegetables and crackers on which to spread the soft cheese. They are great for cocktail parties and particularly popular around the winter holiday season. However, cheese balls are versatile and can be a hit with guests all year round.

A basic cheese ball is made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, nuts, and spices such as salt, pepper, garlic, and onions. Worcestershire sauce or soy sauce is another common ingredient. Fancier cheese balls may include bleu cheese, sherry, pineapple, olives, or smoked salmon.

Experimenting with ingredients can give your cheese ball a unique color or flavor, setting it apart from a standard store-bought cheese ball. You can also make a few different kinds to appeal to a variety of guests. You can make a spicy cheese ball with jalapeño peppers, a hearty one with beef, or even a sweet one made with fruit.

No matter which ingredients you choose, making a cheese ball is easy enough for beginners. Allow all cheeses to soften to room temperature, then blend all ingredients, except the garnish, using a food processor. After chilling, form the mixture into one or more balls, depending upon how much you have, and roll each in chopped nuts or whatever garnish you prefer. Try cilantro, parsley, bacon bits, or a combination of ingredients. Crushed graham crackers or chocolate chips can be perfect for a sweet cheese ball made of cream cheese, butter, sugar, and vanilla. Chill a bit more before serving, wrapping the cheese balls in plastic wrap to help them retain their shape.

Cheese balls are delicious and only limited to your imagination. Tons of recipes, from the classic to the unique, can be found online or in cookbooks, and many party hosts have their own special recipes. Cheese balls are perfect for the inexperienced cook, and they can also be a fun holiday project for the whole family.