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Cheese Balls Three Ways

A party isn’t a party until you serve cheese balls three ways…

We are bringing you cheese balls three ways to jazz up your next holiday party. These babies are filled with cheddar, gorgonzola and brie!

Christmas was always a big deal in my family. We would spend Christmas Eve sitting around and eating mountains of finger foods and desserts. My mom and I would make everythign from pigs in the blanket to decorated sugar cookies. After cooking all that food we were both tired but we still found the energy to eat a few bites…or plates.  

We are bringing you cheese balls three ways to jazz up your next holiday party. These babies are filled with cheddar, gorgonzola and brie!

Now that I’m an adult, Christmas isn’t exactly what I remember as a kid. I live in a different state than both of my parents and my husband’s family lives in another state too. Christmas with the in-laws is great but the food is different and the traditions are different. Don’t get me wrong. It’s still a blast. It’s just not exactly that way I remember things growing up.

Cheese Balls Three Ways by Nutmeg Nanny {Cranberry & Sharp Cheddar}

So this year I’m planning on taking things into my hands. I’m going to bring just a little bit of my childhood self to Christmas. While I can’t really bring a hot dish to the party, I can bring cold appetizers, and this is exactly where cheese balls come into play. I’m not sure at what point cheese balls got a bad rap, but they are delicious and can be customized to accommodate almost any flavor profile.

Don’t like goat cheese? Use blue cheese. Don’t like blue cheese? Use cheddar cheese. You get it.

Cheese Balls Three Ways by Nutmeg Nanny {Walnut & Gorgonzola}

To come up with these scrumptious cheese ball recipes, I paired up with Whole Foods Market and Kitchen PLAY. They challenged me to buy some of their products and make a stress-free holiday spread that I would be proud to serve. Well, not only did Whole Foods have everything I needed for this recipe, they also had tons of other grocery products that ended up in my cart. I cannot resist a good deal. Or a delicious product. Or Whole Foods.

I can’t be saved.

Cheese Balls Three Ways by Nutmeg Nanny {Apple & Brie}

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Cheese Ball Three Ways

We are bringing you cheese balls three ways to jazz up your next holiday party. These babies are filled with cheddar, gorgonzola and brie!

Yield: 3 cheese balls

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes

Total Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

For cheese ball base:

  • 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
  • 3 (8 ounce) blocks cream cheese, room temperature
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 5 dashes hot sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

For cranberry and sharp cheddar cheese ball:

  • 1/3 cheese ball base
  • 8 ounces finely shredded cranberry sharp cheddar cheese (regular sharp can be used as well)
  • 2 tablespoons whole berry cranberry sauce

For walnut and Gorgonzola cheese ball:

  • 1/3 cheese ball base (recipe above)
  • 6 ounces gorgonzola cheese
  • 1 shallot, minced
  • 1 teaspoon finely chopped rosemary
  • 2 teaspoons white wine
  • 1 cup toasted walnuts, chopped

For apple and Brie cheese ball:

  • 1/3 cheese ball base (recipe above)
  • 6 ounces soft Brie cheese
  • 1 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and cut into small cubes
  • 1 teaspoon fresh thyme leaves
  • 1 cup toasted pecans, chopped

Directions:

For cheese ball base:
Add all ingredients to the bowl of an electric mixer and mix together until smooth.

Equally divide mixture into three portions and move each portion to a small bowl.

For cranberry and sharp cheese ball:
Mix together cheese ball base, shredded cheese and cranberry sauce. Once combined shape into a ball and place in the refrigerator.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with crackers, fruit slices, vegetables, vegetable chips or pita chips.

For walnut and Gorgonzola cheese ball:
Mix together cheese ball base, gorgonzola cheese, shallot, rosemary and white wine. Once combined shape into a ball and place in the refrigerator.

Let sit for about 30 minutes to harden, roll in walnuts and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with crackers, fruit slices, vegetables, vegetable chips or pita chips.

For apple and Brie cheese ball:
Mix together cheese ball base, Brie cheese, apple and thyme. Once combined shape into a ball and place in the refrigerator.

Let sit for about 30 minutes to harden, roll in pecans and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Serve with crackers, fruit slices, vegetables, vegetable chips or pita chips.

Still to tired to cook? Try some easy Whole Foods holiday take-out. You can even order online! Also be sure to join us on December 10th for a Twitter party featuring Whole Foods Market! Register to attend by clicking here.

Disclosure: I was compensated by Whole Foods to create a stress-free holiday recipe. As always all opinions are my own. 

Brandy

About Brandy!

I am a food lover and recipe developer bringing you delicious recipes that taste great and are easy to make! My food is inspired by travels around the world and my love of flavorful food. A list of things that make me happy: cats, Coke Zero, houseplants, and travel. Read more...

autumn

Wednesday 11th of December 2013

I have never made a cheeseball in my life, but I totally want to! Love these combos.

Carrian

Friday 6th of December 2013

Nothing says holidays like cheese balls! I love these flavors! Yum!

Barbara @ Barbara Bakes

Tuesday 3rd of December 2013

Such great ideas. I don't serve appetizers enough.

Samantha

Tuesday 3rd of December 2013

I really like your balls! Especially the Walnut & Gorgonzola!

Aimee @ ShugarySweets

Tuesday 3rd of December 2013

Oh wow. I don't even think I could pick a favorite!!! I love cheeseballs and I love that you just made THREE!!

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