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Cheese balls are always at parties. Sometimes they’re hit, but often they’re the ones that have been sitting at the store for months and have no flavor! I love the concept so I decided it was time to update the classic cheese ball with fresh and modern flavors. I took some of my favorite appetizers and made them into cheese balls. Served with crackers and veggies, these are going to become your holiday gathering go-to’s!
You don’t necessarily have to make these into balls, but can form them into whatever you like or just put them in a dish. Whatever you do, the flavor will be fantastic! These are great to take to a party or give as a gift. Enjoy!
More holiday appetizers
Watch how to make these three cheese balls
Three Cheese Balls
Ingredients
For the smoked salmon cheese ball
- 2 packages cream cheese room temperature
- 1 6-oz package crème fraîche room temperature
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tbsp capers drained
- 4 tbsp minced scallion
- 4 oz smoked salmon
- 2 tsp lemon zest
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- ¼ cup finely minced dill
For the buffalo blue cheese ball
- 2 packages cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ cup butter room temperature
- 2 oz sharp white cheddar cheese shredded
- 4 oz blue cheese
- 4 tbsp minced scallion
- ⅓ cup buffalo wing sauce (can choose mild to hot)
- 1 tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- minced celery
For the ham & pickle pinwheel cheese ball
- 2 packages cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ cup butter room temperature
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 4 oz shredded white cheddar cheese
- 4 oz shredded yellow cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ cup diced sweet or dill pickle
- ¼ lb Black Forest ham diced
- ¼ cup finely minced parsley
Instructions
For the smoked salmon cheese ball
- Using a stand mixer, beat cream cheese until smooth.2 packages cream cheese
- Add crème fraîche and mix.1 6-oz package crème fraîche
- Then add salt, pepper, capers, scallion, salmon, lemon zest, and juice. Mix until combined.½ tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 2 tbsp capers, 4 tbsp minced scallion, 4 oz smoked salmon, 2 tsp lemon zest, 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Use hands to form a ball (can also make a log or just put in a dish) and roll in prepared dill.¼ cup finely minced dill
- Chill until ready to use.
For the buffalo blue cheese ball
- Beat the cream cheese to ensure it is softened and smooth.2 packages cream cheese
- Add butter and continue mixing until smooth.¼ cup butter
- Mix in cheddar cheese, blue cheese, scallion, wing sauce, salt, and pepper until completely combined.2 oz sharp white cheddar cheese, 4 oz blue cheese, 4 tbsp minced scallion, ⅓ cup buffalo wing sauce (can choose mild to hot), 1 tsp salt, ¼ tsp pepper
- Use hands to form ball shape (can form log or place in a dish) and roll on prepared celery.minced celery
- Chill until ready to use.
For the ham & pickle pinwheel cheese ball
- Beat the cream cheese to ensure it is softened.2 packages cream cheese
- Mix in butter until smooth.¼ cup butter
- Add salt, pepper, white cheddar cheese, yellow cheddar cheese, garlic powder, pickles, and ham, mixing until combined.1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 4 oz shredded white cheddar cheese, 4 oz shredded yellow cheddar cheese, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ cup diced sweet or dill pickle, ¼ lb Black Forest ham
- Using hands, form ball (or log or place in a dish), and roll in prepared parsley.¼ cup finely minced parsley
- Chill until ready to use.
Notes
- Buffalo blue cheese ball: 55 calories
- Ham and pickle pinwheel cheese ball: 64 calories
Just a question on your Ham and Pickle Cheese ball. Is it really 1/2 pickle? Or should it say 1/2 cup, maybe? Just curious. It sounds really yummy!
I am so sorry yes it is a half cup! What an oversight! I hope you had a wonderful new year!
I loved your three truffles video – but would like the exact amounts of the ingredients, especially for the spices in the chocolate spice truffles. I would like to make them for a baby shower later this month. Will use pink sanding sugar on the Oreo truffles!