Flavored Cheese Balls

Serves 10; Makes 3 Four Inch Cheese Balls
Make all 3 flavors of cheese balls or prepare just 1 or 2, adjusting the ingredients accordingly.

INGREDIENTS

BASE RECIPE

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 packages cream cheese (8 ounces each)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 5 dashes hot sauce (such as Tabasco)
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground white pepper

CHEDDAR AND CRANBERRY

  • 8 ounces sharp orange cheddar cheese, finely shredded
  • 2 tablespoons store-bought chutney
  • 3/4 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
  • Water crackers, for serving

ROQUEFORT AND WALNUT

  • 6 ounces Roquefort cheese
  • 1 shallot, minced (about 1 tablespoon)
  • 2 teaspoons brandy (optional)
  • 1 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • Vegetable chips (such as Terra Chips Sweets & Beets), for serving

GOAT CHEESE AND SCALLIONS

  • 8 ounces goat cheese
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped scallions
  • 1/3 cup fresh curly-leaf parsley, finely chopped
  • 1 English cucumber, cut into 1/8-inch-thick slices, for serving

DIRECTIONS

BASIC CHEESE BALL

  1. Put butter, cream cheese, lemon juice, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, salt, and pepper into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the paddle attachment; mix on medium speed until combined. Divide equally among 3 medium bowls.

CHEDDAR AND CRANBERRY CHEESE BALL

  1. Stir cheddar cheese and chutney with base mixture in the first bowl. Form into a ball. Roll cheese ball in cranberries to coat before serving. Serve with crackers.

ROQUEFORT AND WALNUT CHEESE BALL

  1. Stir blue cheese and shallot with base mixture in second bowl; add brandy, if desired. Form into a ball. Roll in walnuts to coat before serving. Serve with chips.

GOAT CHEESE AND SCALLIONS CHEESE BALL

  1. Stir goat cheese and scallions with base mixture in remaining bowl. Form into a ball. Roll in parsley to coat before serving. Serve with cucumber slices.
cook's note
If not using immediately, refrigerate up to 3 days or freeze up to 1 month.
pantry
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