Trio of Cheese Balls for the Holidays

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I cannot believe that December is here already!  Once Thanksgiving is over I feel like it is full speed ahead from then until Christmas.   We always have a lot of events to attend in December and we host an annual Christmas party at our house.  This year our Christmas party is this Saturday so I’ve been working hard on planning a menu, writing a grocery list, and preparing the food.

Since this time of year is so hectic it’s nice that I can run to Giant Eagle to get everything I need for the holidays in one shop.  Giant Eagle features their own brand of products as well as many vendor products so I can run there and get everything I need for my holiday party.  Plus, I find the Giant Eagle team members to be super helpful in making product suggestions as well as helping me find the products I’m looking for.

I went to my local Giant Eagle store over the weekend and bought all the food I need for the party, a few Christmas cards that I need to mail out, paper towels to help clean up after the party, and disposable plates to serve the food on.  It was a big order but I filled up my cart and got it all in one swoop instead of hopping from store to store.    Once I got home I made a plan and decided to start with my homemade cheese balls.

The thing about cheese balls is that they are super easy to make.   While I really like savory cheese balls, sometimes it’s nice to throw a sweet one in there as well.   What I ended up doing for our holiday party was to make two savory cheese balls and one sweet one.  That way my guests will be able to chose which one they like best.

I started with the classic cheddar cheese ball.   Actually, I made a double batch of the classic cheese ball because I was using that as the base for my Jalapeno Bacon Ranch Cheddar Cheese Ball.   I love when I can use one base for two recipes because it saves on time.

So I whipped up the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and spices and then divided my mixture in half.  I rolled my classic cheddar cheese ball in crushed Keebler Townhouse Crackers which are one of my favorites.

For the other cheese ball I sprinkled in a packet of Ranch dressing seasoning, crumbled up some bacon, and finely chopped some jalapenos.   I mixed everything together and then rolled it in a combination of Keebler Townhouse Crackers, ranch seasoning, and cayenne pepper.

I really like the Ranch seasoning with the salty bacon and spicy jalapenos in this cheese ball.  The cream cheese simply helps to cool it all down a bit.

Then I got to my sweet cheese ball.   This one had a base of cream cheese and powdered sugar.  I’ve seen people add in chopped strawberries but it tends to break the consistency of the cheese ball.

Instead, I used Dannon Oikos Single Serve Yogurt Drink in strawberry flavor.   It keeps the cheese ball smooth and adds a delicious strawberry flavor.  I rolled this cheese ball in crushed Oreos for a chocolate covered strawberry cheese ball.

Are you wondering what I served with my trio of cheese balls?   I served the savory ones with Townhouse Crackers and  tortilla chips.  Then I served the sweet one with Oreo cookies and pretzels.

Not only were these easy to make but they were fun to make as well.  You can use the classic cheese ball recipe as a base for so many different savory flavors and use the basic sweet cheese ball recipe as a base for fruity flavors.

I don’t know about you but I don’t think it’s really a holiday party unless there is a cheese ball on the table so putting three out on my holiday party table is a must!   I know my guests are going to love them when they try them this weekend.  Plus, they can be made several days ahead of time, wrapped in plastic wrap, and kept in the refrigerator until it’s party time.  That means less party prep on the actual day of the party.

Trio of Cheese Balls for the Holidays

Having a holiday party? Try my trio of cheese balls including the Classic Cheddar Cheese Ball, a Jalapeno Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball, and a sweet Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheese Ball.

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Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 3 cheese balls

Author: Hezzi-D

Ingredients

For the Classic Cheddar Cheese Ball:

• 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1 c. sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
• 1 teaspoon dried parsley
• 1/2 teaspoon dried mustard
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 c. Keebler Townhouse Crackers crushed

For the Jalapeno Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball:

• 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1 c. sharp cheddar cheese shredded
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 teaspoon onion powder
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 3 Tablespoons jalapenos minced
• 3 strips bacon crumbled
• 1 packet Ranch seasoning mix
• 1 c. Keebler Townhouse Crackers crushed
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

For the Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cheese Ball:

• 1 8 oz. package cream cheese,
• 1 stick 8 tablespoons butter
• 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/4 c. Dannon Oikios Strawberry Yogurt Drink
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 c. Oreos crushed

Instructions

• To make the cheddar cheese ball combine all ingredients from the cream cheese through the black pepper. Mix well to combine.
• Shape the mixture into a ball and roll in the crushed crackers. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
• To make the Jalapeno Bacon Ranch cheddar cheese ball combine all ingredients from the cream cheese through the bacon. Add all but 1/2 teaspoon of the Ranch seasoning. Mix well to combine.
• Shape the mixture into a ball.
• In a small bowl combine the remaining Ranch seasoning, the crushed crackers, and the cayenne pepper. Roll the cheese ball in the cracker mixture.
• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
• To make the sweet cheese bowl combine the cream cheese, butter, and yogurt drink in a food processor and process until smooth.
• Add the powdered sugar, a quarter cup at a time, until desired consistency is reached. Mix in the cinnamon.
• Shape the mixture into a ball and roll in the crushed Oreos.
• Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.

Notes

A Hezzi-D Original recipe

**Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 3 days before serving**