CLASSIC CHEESE BALL WITH SPICED NUTS

Cheese balls are much easier to make than you might think. I’ve made them over the years with various coatings such as different nuts, fresh herbs and spices, crushed nacho cheese flavored Doritos, black sesame seeds, etc. This version uses hazelnuts because they were on sale but feel free to sub another nut.

When I experimented with this recipe, I used pre-chopped nuts, which I baked and almost burned. If possible, depending on your budget, use nut halves and then chop after baking. If using pre-chopped nuts, which I did and everything tasted delicious, cut the cooking time by half, stir a few more times, and keep your eye on them because they will cook fast.

This takes about 20 minutes to prep and shape and then sits in the fridge for 2 hours. You can make this a day or two ahead of serving, keeping it tightly wrapped and then spread in nut mixture before serving. This tastes great on crostini, crackers, fresh veggies or anything else you might spread a cheese ball on.

CLASSIC CHEESE BALL WITH SPICED NUTS

Prep time: 20 minutes Total time: 2 hours & 20 minutes Serves: 10 to 12 for approx. $6.50

INGREDIENTS –

For the cheese ball…

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

8 ounces extra shar cheddar cheese, grated or shredded

1/4 cup mayonnaise

1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

1/4 cup finely chopped green onion, or chives which will be a bit pricier

For the coating…

1/4 cup nut of your choice, such as pecans, walnuts, almonds, or hazelnuts

1 1/2 teaspoons maple syrup

1/2 teaspoon olive oil

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/8 teaspoon Kosher salt

Raw veggies, crackers, crostini, etc. for serving

DIRECTIONS –

In a large bowl, stir together cream cheese, cheddar cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, cayenne pepper, garlic powder and chopped green onion, scraping sides down as you stir, until blended. Using a rubber spatula works well.

Cover work area with plastic wrap and spoon cheese mixture into center. Gather wrap around cheese and shape into a ball. Chill in wrap until firm, about two hours.

For the coating – Stir nuts, maple syrup, oil, smoke paprika and salt in a small bowl until nuts are coated. Spread on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake at 375-degree oven for about 5 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Let coating cool, chop nuts. Roll the cheese ball in nut mixture, pressing the mixture lightly into the cheese.