Cream Cheese Ball

Homemade cheese balls are so easy to put together. An easy cream cheese ball is the kind of appetizer you want to keep in the back of your mind year-round. What’s different about this classic cheese ball recipe? It has one secret ingredient in it that you will never guess.

cream cheese ball on a white plate.


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Homemade Cheeseball

I love making homemade cheese balls. They are simple to prepare, and you can make them a day or two ahead of time.

Sure, they sell cheese balls in the grocery store, but often they contain lots of preservatives. The beauty of making something from scratch is that you know exactly what’s in there.

Cheese Ball with Cream Cheese

This cream cheese ball recipe is from my Grandmother’s collection. This appetizer recipe makes one very large cheese ball. It has many different ingredients to give you a very flavorful munchy that your family and friends will enjoy.

I do make one change from my Grandmother’s recipe – she used dried onions, and I like to use green onions. You can choose either one.

Why This Is the Best Cheese Ball Recipe

This easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese and green onions is the one you must try. It makes a cheese ball that is super creamy and rich, with that perfect contrast of crunch from the nutty topping!

The basis of this recipe is two kinds of cheese: cream cheese and cheddar cheese. The one secret ingredient is steak sauce! Heinz 57 or A1 adds a nice touch, and when your guests are eating the cheese ball, they won’t be able to figure out what is providing the unique flavor.

This is not a boring cheeseball – the mixture of cheeses with steak sauce is nothing short of magical. It’s the perfect cheese ball to bring to a holiday party.

Ingredients for this Cream Cheese Ball Recipe

Such simple ingredients; you might not even need to make a trip to the store.

  • Cream cheese
  • Sharp cheddar cheese
  • Sour cream
  • Mayonnaise
  • Butter
  • Steak sauce
  • Green onion
  • Nuts

How to Make a Cream Cheese Ball

It’s practically impossible to go wrong with this easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese and green onions. It’s a delicious appetizer for your holiday gatherings.

  1. Allow the cream cheese to soften at room temperature.
  2. In a mixing bowl, use a hand mixer to beat all the ingredients together except for the nuts.
  3. Put the cream cheese mixture in the refrigerator to chill for several hours.
  4. Form into a ball and roll it in the nuts. You can do this in two ways:

Method 1: Use a spatula and your hands. Spray your hands with some non-stick cooking spray to prevent the cheese from sticking.

Method 2: Spare your hands by using plastic wrap to shape your cheese ball.

The Nutty Coating: You can use whichever nuts you prefer, but they should be chopped finely. To coat, hold your cheese ball in one hand. Using your other hand, carefully scoop up the nuts and press them onto the ball’s surface.

Cream Cheese Cheese Ball Recipe Variations

You can easily modify this cheese ball with cream cheese recipe. For example, for some extra flair, you could swap out the cheddar cheese for Monterey Jack. Here are some other ideas:

  • Use your favorite nuts – toasted and chopped pecans, almonds, or mixed nuts.
  • Roll your cheese ball in chili powder for a spicy kick.
  • Coating Options: Candied or spiced pecans, chopped pretzels, crushed Chex cereal or crackers, crumbled crisp bacon, finely shaved deli ham, diced salami or dried beef.

How to Serve a Cream Cheese Ball

This cheese ball with cream cheese simply loves company! In my family, it’s not a party until the Philadelphia cream cheese cheese ball arrives. For dipping, opt for a buttery cracker like Ritz.

This easy cheese ball recipe with cream cheese and green onions is perfect to set out as a party appetizer while you prepare the rest of your holiday feast! It’s completely low maintenance. Just set it out with plenty of yummy crackers for people to serve themselves.

It’s perfectly portable, so you can take it just about anywhere – to a potluck, a tailgate, a baby shower, etc.

What to Serve With Cream Cheese Ball

  • Your favorite cracker or bagel chips
  • Mini bagels
  • Pita bread or pita chips
  • Pretzels
  • Vegetables – carrot sticks and sliced cucumbers are great veggies to use

This good looking cheese ball works perfectly on a Charcuterie Board with other appetizers.

Leftover cream cheese ball is great for bagels. It’s a fantastic way to enjoy it the next morning for breakfast.

CopyKat Tip: Make sure to provide a cheese spreader knife with your cheese ball platter. If people dip their crackers straight into the ball, chances are the crackers will break into pieces!

How to Store a Cream Cheese Ball

Make Ahead: This cheese ball with cream cheese recipe can be made up to a week in advance. Just keep it in the refrigerator and wait to add the nuts till you’re ready to serve, so they don’t get soft.

Storing: A cheese ball (minus the nuts) will stay fresh in the refrigerator for 4 to 5 days.

Leftovers: If you refrigerate any cheeseball leftovers, the nuts might get soft and not have the same crunchy texture.

Freezing: Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap (without nuts) and place it in a freezer-safe container or plastic freezer bag. Put wrapped cheese ball in the freezer. It will be good for about a month, Read more detailed instructions on freezing cheese balls.

Thawing: Allow the cheese ball to thaw in the fridge overnight. Add the nuts when completely thawed.

cream cheese cheese ball covered in nuts on a white plate.

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cream cheese ball on a white plate.

Cream Cheese Ball

This easy cheese ball with cream cheese is perfect for company.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate Add to Collection
Course: Snack
Cuisine: American
Keyword: cream cheese ball, homemade cheese ball
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 10
Calories: 255kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese
  • 1/4 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup mayonnaise
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 1 1/2 tablespoons green onion slices
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1 tablespoon steak sauce A-1 or Heinz 57
  • 1/2 cup chopped nuts toasted or roasted

Instructions

  • Let cream cheese soften.
  • In a bowl beat all ingredients together except the nuts. Blend the mixture until it is smooth.
  • Refrigerate the mixture for several hours.
  • Form the mixture into a ball and roll it in nuts of your choice.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 255kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 25g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 6g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 52mg | Sodium: 243mg | Potassium: 81mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 612IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 116mg | Iron: 1mg

About Stephanie Manley

I recreate your favorite restaurant recipes, so you can prepare these dishes at home. I help you cook dinner, and serve up dishes you know your family will love. You can find most of the ingredients for all of the recipes in your local grocery store.

Stephanie is the author of CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home, and CopyKat.com's Dining Out in the Home 2.

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