Classic Cheese Ball Recipe for Parties
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There are always certain dishes that show up at every family function we have. My family has quite a few and then my husband's family has quite a few unusual Christmas Eve dishes that are mandatory. I will never forget the year I was put in charge of one of the dinner staples and ruined it three different times! That, my friends, is another story I will share over some mulled cider closer to Christmas. For today, I would like to discuss one of my family's favorites... Mom's Cheese Ball!
Mom has been making her cheese ball recipe for as long as I can remember there being family functions. I shudder to think at what would happen if she showed up at a family function without her famous pecan-covered cheese ball and a box of crackers. Until today, I had never made her cheese ball recipe myself. Not once. Why would I, when she brings it to all the events? It never occurred to me to make it to take somewhere else until a family friend asked if I could make one to bring to my godson's first birthday party.
Could I make one? Uhm, sure. I frantically dialed mom and asked her what went in it besides the pecans on the outside. Here's our "secret" family recipe for the easiest appetizer I have ever made. It never fails to be devoured at events.
Mom's Cheese Ball Recipe
- 8 oz package cream cheese
- 1 tub chive and onion cream cheese
- 1 jar Old English Cheese
- 1/2 to 1 tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
- 1/2 tsp garlic powder or garlic salt
- chopped pecans
- dash of hot sauce
- crackers or mini pretzels for dipping
Allow all cheeses to soften at room temperature. Put all ingredients into a large bowl. Mix thoroughly with your hands until it is well combined. Add more or less of the garlic and Worcestershire Sauce to suit your taste. Shape the mixture into a ball and place it onto a platter. Press finely chopped pecans all around the outside of the cheese ball. Serve with crackers.
Gather your ingredients. I happened to have garlic salt on hand, so I used that. You can also use garlic powder, but you may want to add a little salt as well.
Put all of your cheeses in a large mixing bowl. Add your Worcestershire sauce. I added a tablespoon but you might want to start with 1/2 tablespoon and add more if you like later. Of course, when I asked mom how much she adds, she laughed at me and said, "a few shakes." So, a few shakes then!
The same can be said of the garlic seasoning. I added 1/2 tablespoon of garlic salt. Start with less and add more if you need it. I am a garlic fiend so I felt safe going with this amount.
This next step is crucial — wash your hands! I always start out in the kitchen with nice, clean hands but if I am actually going to touch food that isn't going to be cooked, I give them an extra long scrubbing. You could also use those disposable food prep gloves but I don't happen to have any of those in my kitchen. With your thoroughly clean hands, mix together all the ingredients. Mix and mix until you have a nice uniform consistency and color.
Next, shape your cheese into a ball form and place it in the middle of a serving dish.
Then, press your chopped pecans all around the cheese ball.Pop open a box of your favorite crackers and add them around the cheese ball and you are good to go. What could be easier?
2 comments so far:
Yum! Cheese balls are one of my favorites! Could eat the whole thing myself. I'll have to try Old English.
Thanks for the great recipes, I make Ham and Shrimp balls for all our family get togethers
1 large and 1 small pkg cream cheese…..since I make both ham and shrimp to take I just buy 3 large and split one.
1 T French onion soup mix
splash of lemon juice
1 tuna fish size can of shrimp or ham or chicken etc drained
put all ingredients into a bowl and mix with hands or bread dough hooks on mixer.
Put mixture onto small paper plate and shape into a ball (put in frig covered in plastic wrap until party time, doesn’t take up as much room as a platter either, when frig space is at a premium) Optional: cover with chopped nuts.
Take cheese ball from fridge and put paper plate in middle of platter and spread crackers around outside (I use Ritz, Sociables, and wheat thins) this also makes storing any left over very easy.
ENJOY!!