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A vibrant platter of holiday cheese balls, garnished with herbs and nuts.

Classic Holiday Cheese Ball

A festive and flavorful cheese ball, perfect for holiday entertaining. Made with softened cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and a blend of savory seasonings, then coated in chopped pecans and fresh parsley.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Servings 10 people
Calories 280 kcal

Equipment

  • large mixing bowl
  • electric mixer
  • plastic wrap
  • parchment paper
  • shallow platter/plate

Ingredients
  

Cheese Ball Mixture

  • 2 packages cream cheese (8-ounce), softened
  • 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/8 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Coating

  • 1/4 cup finely chopped pecans for coating
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley for coating

Instructions
 

Preparation

  • Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature for a smooth mixture, either by leaving it out for an hour or microwaving it briefly.
  • In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese, cheddar, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, and Worcestershire sauce until smooth.
  • Scrape the mixture onto plastic wrap or parchment paper and form it into a ball shape.

Chilling & Coating

  • Wrap the cheese ball tightly and refrigerate for at least 2-4 hours, or overnight, to firm up and deepen flavors.
  • Before serving, unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it in a mixture of finely chopped pecans and fresh parsley until fully coated.
  • If coated in advance, refrigerate for another 30 minutes to help the coating adhere.
  • Serve with crackers, crudités, or toasted baguette slices.

Notes

For best results, make the cheese ball a day in advance to allow flavors to meld. Feel free to experiment with other coatings like crushed nuts, dried cranberries, or everything bagel seasoning.