From the holidays to the Super Bowl, party season is here, and with it comes the need to fill your table with food that are festive and delicious.
Some of us rely on tried-and-true family favorites, while others boldly seek out new recipes and flavors.
Then there are those of us who head to the “prepared foods” aisle of the grocery store and throw whatever looks good into our basket.
Why not have the best of all three worlds–the comfort of a traditional family-pleaser, the adventure of new tastes, and the convenience of grab-and-go.
Can such a recipe really exist? Yes! Crazy Mixed-Up Cheeseballs will be the centerpiece of your party hors d’oeuvre table–that is, for as long as they last. These special cheeseballs tend to disappear quickly.
Let’s get started with 3 crazy mixed-up cheeseball recipes!
You are the executive chef behind these recipes. Simply choose an item (or two, as directed) from each category, mix, shape and form.
Voila! Your cheeseball recipe will be a unique creation that won’t be found at another holiday celebration, and your guests will be clamoring for more!
Crazy Mixed-Up Savory Cheeseball Recipe
Serve this one before dinner with drinks, or as part of a holiday buffet. Leftovers make a tasty filling for grilled cheese sandwiches.
Ingredients
The Base
• 1 8-oz. brick cream cheese
Category I: Additional Cheese (Choose one)
• 2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar, the sharpest you can find OR
• 2 cups shredded Gruyere, Swiss, or Emmental cheese OR
• 1 cup bleu cheese crumbles plus four wedges Laughing Cow Original Creamy Swiss OR
• 1 8-oz. wheel Brie or Camembert, rind removed
Category II: Savory Mix-ins (Choose up to three; use larger amount if you are using only one or two mix-ins)
• ¾ to 1 cup fresh, crisply fried bacon crumbles; do not substitute prepared bacon bits
• ¾ to 1 cup sliced pimento-stuffed olives
• ¾ to 1 cup crumbled French-fried onions
• ¾ to 1 cup sliced black olives
• ¾ to 1 cup diced cocktail onions
• ½ cup mashed roasted garlic cloves; see recipe below
Category III: Flavorings (Choose up to three; notice that there is no salt listed. Cheese is very salty, and so are the mix-ins, so no additional salt is necessary unless your personal taste dictates.)
• 1 TB Worcestershire sauce
• 3 TB Steak Sauce
• 2 TB garlic powder
• 2 TB Italian seasonings
• 4 dashes (or to taste) hot sauce
Category IV: The Finishing Touch (Choose one)
• 1 generous cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1 generous cup finely chopped pimento-stuffed olives
• 1 generous cup finely diced red and green bell peppers (about a half a pepper each)
• 1 generous cup crushed pretzels
Garnish: For Pressing into the Top of the Ball (Choose one)
• 1 slice of a jumbo pimento-stuffed olive
• 1 marinated mushroom
• 1 jumbo black olive, sliced lengthwise, almost through, then flattened into a flower shape
• 1 whole, small pretzel, any shape
Directions
1. Bring cream cheese to room temperature so that it is easy to mash.
2. Select your ingredients.
3. Mix the base with category I, II, and III ingredients, then shape into one large or two medium balls.
4. Roll the ball(s) in the category IV ingredient.
5. Refrigerate for at least four hours, overnight preferably, to let the flavors blend. The cheeseball will taste better as it matures.
6. Bring to room temperature before serving.
7. Garnish as desired.
Serves 12 to 15. Serve with assorted crackers or raw vegetables.
Crazy Mixed-Up Sweet Cheeseball Recipe
A great addition to with dessert buffet, serve a sweet cheeseball with after-dinner drinks. Kids love this one–just make sure to serve them an alcohol-free version.
Ingredients
The Base
• 1 8-oz. brick cream cheese
Category I: Additional Cheese (Choose one)
• 2 cups shredded mild or medium Cheddar OR
• 2 cups shredded Swiss cheese OR
• 2/3 cup bleu cheese crumbles plus five wedges Laughing Cow Original Creamy Swiss OR
• 1 8-oz. wheel Brie, rind removed
Category II: Sweet Mix-ins (Choose up to two; use larger amount if you are using only one or two mix-ins)
• 1 14-oz. can crushed pineapple, very well drained
• 1 14-oz. can fruit cocktail, very well drained (it doesn’t matter if the fruit is packed in juice, light or heavy syrup. Choose according to what you have on hand–or how sweet you want your cheeseball to be.)
• 1.5 cup finely chopped maraschino cherries, very well drained
• 1.5 cup frozen wild blueberries, drained and dried
• 1.25 cup strawberry or raspberry jam
• 1.25 cup orange marmalade (particularly good mixed with brandy or cognac for an adults-only version)
Category III: Flavorings (Choose up to three; notice that there is no salt listed. Cheese is very salty, and so are the mix-ins, so no additional salt is necessary unless your personal taste dictates.)
• 1 tsp pure vanilla
• ½ tsp pure almond extract
• 3 TB orange-flavored liqueur (or 1 tsp orange extract for the kids’ portion)
• 3 TB spiced rum (omit for kids’ portion)
• 3 TB brandy or cognac (omit for kids’ portion)
Category IV: The Finishing Touch(Choose one)
• 1 generous cup finely chopped walnuts
• 1 generous cup brickle bits
• 1 generous cup toasted shredded coconut
• 1 generous cup crushed pineapple, well drained
Garnish: For Pressing into the Top of the Ball (Choose one)
• 1 maraschino cherry
• 1 chocolate kiss
• 1 jumbo gumdrop
• 1 perfect strawberry
Directions
1. Bring cream cheese to room temperature so that it is easy to mash.
2. Select your ingredients.
3. Mix the base with category I, II, and III ingredients, then shape into one large or two medium balls.
4. Roll the ball(s) in the category IV ingredient.
5. Garnish as desired.
6. Refrigerate for at least four hours, overnight preferably, to let the flavors blend. The cheeseball will taste better as it matures.
7. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Serves 12 to 15. Serve with assorted crackers, vanilla wafers or grapes and apple or pear slices. Dip apple or pear slices in lemon water reduce browning.
Roasted Garlic Cheeseball Recipe
If you have never roasted garlic, drop what you’re doing and give it a try.
With practically no effort on your part, you can produce a delicious, savory spread that’s great on bread or crackers, stirring into mashed potatoes, or serving alongside grilled meats.
Ingredients
• 1 firm, large head of garlic
• 1 tsp olive oil
• Salt and pepper, optional
Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375F.
2. Remove loose paper skin from the garlic, trim the bottom, and slice off the top of the head so that the top of each bulb shows.
3. Place in a custard cup.
4. Drizzle with olive oil
5. Lightly salt and pepper
6. Cover tightly with aluminum foil
7. Bake for 45 minutes, or until the garlic is soft and lightly browned.
Serves 2. Separate the cloves and squeeze out the roasted garlic with your fingers. Serve as suggested above.
Happy holiday preparations–why not start experimenting now with your favorite cheeseball combinations? Invent your own and start a new family tradition.
