The Best Christmas Cheese Balls for Your Party Appetizers

You can’t go wrong with the classic holiday party appetizer.



Si Foster shares three versions of the delicious cheese ball.


Find more of Si’s recipes on her website, www.abountifulkitchen.com.

Pomegranate, Goat Cheese, and Honey Cheese Ball
2 pomegranates or a 8 oz cup of pomegranate seeds divided
8 oz cream cheese- room temperature
4 oz goat cheese- room temperature 4 oz cream cheese may be substituted
1/4 cup mayonnaise
4 tablespoons honey
1-2 tablespoons chopped scallions white part of green onions
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
dash salt
chopped cilantro or parsley for garnish

Drain the pomegranate on paper towels and lightly pat dry. Let sit on paper towel while preparing cheese ball.



Whip cream cheese and goat cheese together for two minutes in a large bowl or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle.



Add mayonnaise, honey, chopped scallions, lime juice, cinnamon and salt.



Fold in 1/2 cup pomegranate- save the rest for garnish.



Scoop into small bowl, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. When ready to serve, Remove from fridge. Using food handler’s gloves or very clean hands, form into a ball shape.



Place on plate, garnish with remaining pomagranite seeds and chopped cilantro if desired.



Notes:

Optional: Roll finished and chilled cheeseball in a mixture of 2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/3 cup of granulated sugar mixed in a bowl, just before serving. Roll several times so the entire ball is coated well. Garnish with remaining pomegranate seeds and serve with Biscoff cookies, or ginger snaps, or other small thin cookie.



If making ahead, make the cheese ball as directed. Wait to garnish the cheese ball until just before serving with pomegranates and chopped cilantro or parsley.



I like to have food handler’s gloves on hand to shape the finished product if possible. If you don’t have or don’t want to purchase fh gloves, just wash hands thoroughly before shaping!
Jalapeno Cheddar Cheese Ball
8 oz cream cheese – room temperature
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons milk
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons dried onion or 1 teaspoon onion powder
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 jalapeños chopped by hand or 2 tablespoons canned jalapeño*
1 teaspoon celery seed
1 teaspoon vinegar
1 teaspoon fresh minced garlic or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
dash of dill weed not seed

Combine the cream cheese, mayo, sour cream and milk together in a mixer on low until blended well.



Add remaining ingredients and mix on low until all ingredients are incorporated.



Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before forming a ball and serving.



Notes:

Soften the whole jalapeños by wrapping washed jalapeño in a damp paper towel and microwaving for 1 minute. Adjust the heat by taking out or leaving in the seeds. Slice down the middle, discard top and chop.



The color of the fresh jalapeños is much prettier than canned.



If using canned jalapeños, the flavor will be a bit more concentrated.



You may use low fat cream cheese, but it will effect the texture of the cheeseball. It will be a bit softer than if you use regular cream cheese. If you are using low fat, I suggest omitting the milk.



This recipe may be made up to three days before serving.



I like to have food handler’s gloves on hand to shape the finished product if possible. If you don’t have or don’t want to purchase fh gloves, just wash hands thoroughly before shaping!
Pineapple Pecan Cheese Ball
8 oz cream cheese – room temperature
8 oz crushed pineapple – drained well*
1 1/2 cups finely chopped pecans
2 tablespoons finely chopped red pepper
1 teaspoon seasoned salt or 21 seasoning salute from Trader Joes
1/2-2 teaspoons chopped onions

Mix all ingredients, reserving one cup nuts.



Chill ball for at least one hour.



When chilled, roll into remaining chopped pecans and shape into round ball.



Notes:

I like to have food handler’s gloves on hand to shape the finished product if possible. If you don’t have or don’t want to purchase fh gloves, just wash hands thoroughly before shaping!

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