This Christmas cheese ball is a super simple appetizer that brings everyone together during the holidays. With just three main ingredients, it’s easy to throw together, making it perfect for busy nights or surprise guests.
This recipe addresses challenges in flavor, texture, and presentation, offering solutions for consistency and ingredient adhesion in cheese ball preparation.
I remember the first time I tried to whip one up; I was in a rush and ended up with a lumpy mess. But once I figured out the right mixing technique, it turned out creamy and packed with flavor. I love that this recipe solves those little hiccups, delivering a satisfying dish that makes you feel like a star host.
What I love most is how quickly it comes together, only about 20 minutes! Plus, it holds up perfectly in the fridge until you’re ready to serve. If you enjoy cheese balls, you’ll definitely want to check out my recipe for Puff Pastry Apple Rosettes, too!
Table of contents
Dietary Considerations
- This recipe is gluten-free as it contains no wheat, barley, or rye ingredients in the standard preparation.
- The recipe is not dairy-free due to cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar cheese being primary ingredients.
- This recipe does not meet vegan diets because it contains dairy-based products like cheese and sour cream.
- The recipe suits low-carb and keto diets since it is primarily composed of cheese and low carbohydrate ingredients.
- The recipe is not nut-free because it includes chopped nuts as part of the ingredient list.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Irresistible Flavor Blend This Christmas cheese ball boasts a rich combination of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and bacon, bringing together savory, tangy, and nutty notes that everyone will crave.
- Quick to Prepare With just 20 minutes of prep time, you can whip up this dish without any cooking, making it an easy option for holiday gatherings or last-minute parties.
- Fun Presentation Rolling the cheese ball in fresh herbs and chopped pecans not only adds crunch but also creates a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday table, tempting guests before they even take a bite.
- Make-Ahead Convenience You can prepare this cheese ball a few days in advance, allowing the flavors to meld wonderfully while saving you valuable time during busy festive days.
Christmas Cheese Ball
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cool Time:
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No Cook
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
A festive and creamy cheese ball perfect for holiday gatherings, combining rich flavors and textures.
Ingredients
- 12 oz. (340 g) cream cheese, softened, full-fat preferred and at room temperature
- 2 tbsp (30 ml) sour cream, full-fat preferred
- 1½ cups (170 g) sharp cheddar cheese, shredded from block cheese
- 8 slices bacon, minced, cooked until crisp
- ¼ cup (30 g) pecans, chopped (lightly toasted recommended)
- 4 green onions, chopped fine
- ¼ cup (15 g) fresh parsley, chopped fine
- 1 tbsp (7 g) smoked paprika
- ½ tsp (1.5 g) garlic powder
- ¼ tsp (1.5 g) salt
- ¼ tsp (0.5 g) black pepper
Instructions
- Step 1: Place the softened cream cheese, sour cream, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and pepper into a medium-sized mixing bowl. Use a spatula to mix the spices into the cream cheese and sour cream until the mixture is smooth and creamy, ensuring all seasonings are evenly incorporated.
- Step 2: Add half of the shredded cheddar, half of the minced bacon, half of the chopped pecans, half of the chopped green onions, and half of the chopped parsley to the bowl. Mix gently with the spatula until all ingredients are evenly distributed. Press the cheese mixture into a loose ball shape. Set aside.
- Step 3: On a large piece of plastic wrap spread on the kitchen counter, place the remaining bacon, cheddar, pecans, parsley, and green onions. Use your fingers to toss these ingredients together evenly.
- Step 4: Place the loose cheese ball onto the prepared coating mix on the plastic wrap. Roll the ball gently but firmly in the coating, pressing the mixture onto the surface with your hands to ensure an even and full coating. Shape the ball evenly. Note that some loose coating mixture will remain—save this for another use such as a salad topping.
- Step 5: Serve the cheese ball immediately or wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 days. Before serving after refrigeration, allow it to soften slightly at room temperature for optimal texture.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 hours before serving.
- Refrigeration: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, place in an airtight container, and refrigerate for up to 4 days to retain freshness.
- Freezing: Wrap in plastic wrap, place in a freezer bag, and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
- If the mixture is too soft to form into a ball, chill it for 30 minutes before shaping to firm it up.
- When rolling the ball in the coating mix, press firmly to help ingredients adhere evenly for a better appearance.
- Chop all add-ins finely for even distribution and consistent flavor throughout the cheese ball.
- To reduce moisture and achieve a firmer texture, drain excess moisture from sour cream before mixing.
- If the cheese ball loses its shape during serving, refrigerate for an additional 30 minutes before re-serving.
- Serve with gluten-free crackers or sliced vegetables for dipping.
- Pair with a simple green salad or roasted Brussels sprouts for complementary flavors.
- Use leftovers or smaller portions on gluten-free bagels, celery sticks, or as part of a charcuterie board.
- Garnish with extra bacon bits or chopped green onions for added freshness. A drizzle of balsamic glaze can be added to enhance taste depth.
Nutrition
- Calories: 350
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 30 g
- Cholesterol: 90 mg
Ingredient Notes
- Cream cheese: Look for full-fat cream cheese for the best creamy texture. Make sure it’s at room temperature to blend smoothly.
- Sour cream: Choose a good quality sour cream to add tanginess. Full-fat options work best for a rich flavor and texture.
- Cheddar cheese: A sharp cheddar brings depth to the cheese ball. Opt for block cheese and shred it yourself for freshness and better melting.
- Green onions: Fresh green onions add a nice crunch. Look for vibrant green tops, and chop them finely for even distribution.
- Garlic powder: Garlic powder gives a warm flavor without overpowering. Opt for fresh, quality brands for the best results; it really makes a difference.
- Worcestershire sauce: This adds a savory umami kick. Make sure to choose a brand without excess additives for a cleaner taste.
- Chopped nuts: Pecans or walnuts are great for rolling the cheese ball, adding a crunchy texture. Lightly toast them for extra flavor before using.
- Fresh herbs: Chopped parsley or dill can brighten the flavor. Make sure they’re fresh for the best taste, dried herbs won’t give the same effect.
Recipe Tips
- If the cheese ball mixture is too soft to form, chill it for 30 minutes before shaping to help firm it up.
- When rolling your cheese ball, press firmly into the coating mixture to secure ingredients; this helps them adhere better for presentation.
- If some ingredients seem unevenly distributed, finely chop your add-ins for a uniform blend, which helps achieve a consistent flavor throughout.
- For a drier cheese ball that holds shape better, drain excess moisture from the sour cream before mixing it in to avoid excess creaminess.
- If you notice the cheese ball losing its shape, refrigerate it for another 30 minutes before serving for optimal firmness and structure.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with gluten-free crackers or sliced vegetables for dipping. A simple green salad or roasted Brussels sprouts complements the flavors.
Use to make cheese ball bites or spread on a gluten-free bagel. Add to a charcuterie board or stuffed celery sticks.
Top with extra bacon bits or chopped green onions for freshness. A drizzle of balsamic glaze adds depth to the flavor.
Recipe variations
- You can use different cheeses such as Monterey Jack or Gruyère instead of sharp cheddar to give the Christmas cheese ball a milder or nuttier taste.
- Add dried cranberries or finely chopped dried apricots, about ¼ cup, to the mixture for a sweet contrast that complements the savory flavors and color.
- Either smoked or regular cooked bacon works well for the bacon component; if using pre-cooked, chop finely before mixing to distribute flavor evenly.
- If scaling for a larger party, double all ingredients including 3 cups of cheddar and 16 bacon slices; this also suits entertaining alongside recipes like Croissant Party Sandwiches.
Save This Recipe!
How to Store?
To keep your christmas cheese ball fresh and delicious, follow these storage tips:
Room Temperature: Store your cheese ball in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 6 hours before serving.
Refrigeration: Wrap tightly with plastic wrap, place in an airtight container, and refrigerate up to 4 days to retain freshness.
Freezing: Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag. Freeze up to 1 month. Thaw in the refrigerator.
Other Recipes You’ll Love
- Toasted Coconut Marshmallows
- Puff Pastry Apple Rosettes
- Rhubarb and Strawberry Tart Recipe
- Chocolate Peanut Clusters
If you enjoyed this Christmas Cheese Ball or any other recipe on my blog, please leave a ⭐ star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. I appreciate taking time to read about this recipe, thank you!
