Cream Cheese Ball Recipe
It’s getting to be that time of year when you always seem to be either hosting or attending some sort of festive get together, and this homemade cheese ball is the classic holiday appetizer that you’ve been looking for! There are so many cheese ball recipes out there all with their own unique flavors, and we know from personal experience that this is one people just can’t get enough of at holiday parties and one that I can’t wait for you to try.
Looking for More Easy Appetizer Recipes?
Then you have to try our Ultimate Spinach Artichoke Dip or our Baked Brie in Puff Pastry. They’re both full of flavorful ingredients, making them crowd favorites.
Key Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for a full listing of ingredients, instructions, and estimated nutritional information.
- full fat cream cheese – It’s not a cheese ball recipe without a yummy soft cheese at its core. If you’re a fan of soft cheese, try out our goat cheese ball, which is also savory with a few bits of sweetness mixed in.
- sharp cheddar cheese – Pre-shredded cheese is convenient, but we highly suggest shredding your own as it yields creamier texture.
- green bell pepper – Small pieces of pepper add little pops of color and a subtle kick of flavor in each bite.
- green olives – One of my favorite ingredients that gives this tasty cheese ball a unique tangy flavor.
How To Make A Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese
Step 1: Start by gathering and measuring out all of your ingredients. Then place everything except the dried parsley into a large mixing bowl.
Pro Tip
Set your cream cheese out a few hours in advance to help it come to room temperature. This helps make the mixing process a lot easier.
Step 2: Then use a hand mixer to blend all of the ingredients together until you’ve created a cream cheese mixture with a uniform color and texture.
Step 3: Divide the cheese mixture into three equal sections and use your hands to form them into balls. Wrap each ball in aluminum foil or saran wrap and refrigerate them for at least 24 hours so that the flavors have time to soak into the cheese.
Step 4: Once your cheese balls have chilled, roll each ball with dried parsley to coat the outside of the cheese ball.
Step 5: Serve this must-have appetizer with ritz crackers, pretzels, or even celery sticks. No matter mode you use to consume this yummy dish, it’s sure to be the star of the show.
Recipe FAQs and Tips
- Yield: Knowing that it’s always good to have a pre-made cheese ball ready when hosting a party, this recipe makes three cheese balls, each serving 12 people.
- make-ahead appetizer: Save yourself time the day of your party, and make your cheese balls in advance, saving the parsley coating for just before serving.
- How to freeze cheese balls? On the off chance that you have leftover cheese balls, wrap ’em up with tin foil and then place them in a freezer safe container and store them in the freezer for up to three months.
- Storage: Store any leftover cheese ball in an airtight container the refrigerator for 1-2 weeks.
Other Holiday Appetizer Recipes You Might Like
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Ingredients
- 16 ounces full fat cream cheese, room temperature
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
- 1/2 green bell pepper, minced
- 10-15 green olives, chopped
- 2 tablespoons mayo
- 2 tablespoons worcestershire sauce
- 1 tablespoon sweet yellow onion, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic, minced
- topping: dried parsley, approx. 1-2 tablespoons per cheese ball
Instructions
- Combine: Place all ingredients (except the dried parsley) in a large bowl. Use an electric hand mixer to fully mix everything together.
- Divide + Chill: Separate mixture into 3 equal portions and form into cheese balls. Wrap each ball in a piece of aluminum foil and refrigerate for at least 24 hours for the flavors to blend.
- Serve: Right before serving, remove from the foil, place a generous amount of dried parsley on a small plate, and roll the cheese ball in it to coat the outside. Serve with your favorite crackers and enjoy!
Notes
- Yield: Note that this makes 3 separate cheese balls with 12 servings per cheese ball.
- Prep Ahead of Time: this is a great recipe to prep ahead of time! Simply form the cheese balls and before rolling in parsley, wrap them individually in aluminum foil and store in the fridge until ready to serve. Roll in parsley right before serving.
- Freezing: simply double wrap each cheese ball in foil and store in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge before serving.
Lily Johnson says
Easiest no-fail cheese ball app that looks like you made an effort. Delicious!
Erin says
So happy to hear that, Lily! Thanks for coming back to leave a rating and review – I really appreciate it!
Julie says
Made this as our thanksgiving appetizer and it was a hit!
Erin says
Yay, Julie! So glad to hear that!