Festive Trio Cheese Balls
Celebrate the joy of the season with our Festive Trio Cheese Balls! Each delectable cheese ball is crafted from a creamy base and infused with exciting flavors that are sure to please any palate. Perfect for holiday gatherings or casual get-togethers, these treats come together in just a few minutes using simple ingredients. Whether you're impressing guests or treating yourself, these cheese balls can be made ahead and kept in the fridge for up to two weeks. Wrapped in colorful plastic wrap and tied with cheerful ribbons, they also make for thoughtful gifts for friends, family, and neighbors. Remember to let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before serving to enhance their spreadability. Each serving is a delightful 1/4 cup, promising to awaken cheerful flavors at every bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
Cream Cheese
16 ounces (softened)
Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 cup
Garlic Cloves
2 (minced)
Prepared Pesto
2 tablespoons
Fresh Basil
2 tablespoons (minced)
Pine Nuts
2 tablespoons (toasted, plus 1/2 cup reserved for rolling)
Prepared Horseradish
2 tablespoons
Cooked Bacon
1/2 cup (crumbled)
Green Onion
1 (finely chopped)
Tomato Paste
2 tablespoons
Salt
1/8 teaspoon
Fresh Cilantro
2 tablespoons (minced)
Onion
1 tablespoon (finely chopped)
Jalapeño Pepper
1 tablespoon (minced and seeded)
Assorted Crackers
(for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, and minced garlic cloves until the mixture is smooth and well combined. Divide the mixture into three equal portions.
2
For the Pine Nut-Pesto Cheeseball, take one portion of the cream cheese mixture. In a separate bowl, combine this with prepared pesto, chopped fresh basil, and 2 tablespoons of chopped toasted pine nuts. Mix well until blended. Shape the mixture into a ball and roll it in the remaining pine nuts. Wrap the ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.
3
For the Horseradish-Bacon Cheeseball, in another mixing bowl, combine another portion of the cream cheese mixture with prepared horseradish, crumbled cooked bacon, and finely chopped green onion. Mix until evenly incorporated, then shape into a ball. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and chill until firm.
4
For the Salsa Cheeseball, take the last portion of the cream cheese mixture and mix it with tomato paste, salt, minced fresh cilantro, finely chopped onion, and minced seeded jalapeño pepper in a bowl. Blend the mixture until smooth, then shape it into a ball. Wrap it in plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm.
5
Once firm, uncover the cheese balls and serve them with assorted crackers. Enjoy the delightful explosion of flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Festive Trio Cheese Balls?
Festive Trio Cheese Balls are a variety of three different flavored appetizers made from a creamy base of cream cheese, Parmesan, and garlic, designed for holiday gatherings.
What are the three flavors included in the trio?
The three flavors are Pine Nut-Pesto, Horseradish-Bacon, and a Salsa-style cheese ball.
How long can I store these cheese balls in the refrigerator?
These cheese balls can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two weeks when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.
Can I make this recipe ahead of time?
Yes, these are perfect for making ahead as they need time to chill and firm up, and they stay fresh for up to 14 days.
What ingredients are in the base mixture?
The base consists of 16 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese, and 2 minced garlic cloves.
How should I serve the cheese balls for the best texture?
Let the cheese balls sit at room temperature for approximately 15 minutes before serving to enhance their spreadability.
What is the recommended serving size?
The recommended serving size is approximately 1/4 cup per serving.
What do I need to make the Pine Nut-Pesto version?
You will need prepared pesto, chopped fresh basil, and toasted pine nuts to mix with one portion of the base.
How is the Horseradish-Bacon cheese ball flavored?
It is flavored with prepared horseradish, crumbled cooked bacon, and finely chopped green onions.
What ingredients create the Salsa flavor profile?
The Salsa version uses tomato paste, salt, minced fresh cilantro, finely chopped onion, and minced seeded jalapeño pepper.
What should I serve with these cheese balls?
They are best served with a variety of assorted crackers.
How do I ensure the cheese balls hold their shape?
After shaping the mixtures into balls, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate them until they are firm.
Are these cheese balls suitable for holiday gifting?
Yes, you can wrap them in colorful plastic wrap and tie them with ribbons to make thoughtful gifts for friends and neighbors.
Do I need special equipment to make this recipe?
An electric mixer is recommended to beat the cream cheese base until it is smooth and well combined.
Should the pine nuts be raw or toasted?
The pine nuts should be toasted to provide the best flavor and texture.
Is the jalapeño used in the Salsa ball spicy?
The recipe calls for the jalapeño to be seeded, which reduces the heat while keeping the flavor.
How many cheese balls does this recipe produce?
This recipe produces three distinct cheese balls.
Can I use pre-grated Parmesan?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese; either fresh or high-quality pre-grated will work for the base.
What is the preparation for the bacon in the recipe?
The bacon should be cooked and crumbled before being added to the Horseradish-Bacon mixture.
What provides the red color in the Salsa cheese ball?
Tomato paste provides the color and base flavor for the Salsa-style ball.
Is fresh cilantro required?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of minced fresh cilantro are used to provide the authentic salsa flavor.
How much garlic is used in the recipe?
The recipe uses 2 minced garlic cloves mixed into the main cream cheese base.
Should the cream cheese be cold or at room temperature when mixing?
The cream cheese should be softened at room temperature to ensure a smooth, lump-free mixture.
Can I substitute the pine nuts?
While the recipe specifies pine nuts, you could use other toasted nuts like pecans or walnuts if pine nuts are unavailable.
How much tomato paste is needed?
You will need 2 tablespoons of tomato paste for the Salsa cheese ball portion.
What provides the green color in the Pesto ball?
The green color comes from the combination of prepared pesto and minced fresh basil.
How much salt is added to the recipe?
Only 1/8 teaspoon of salt is added, specifically to the Salsa cheese ball mixture.
Is this a savory or sweet appetizer?
This is a savory appetizer featuring garlic, herbs, bacon, and spices.
How do I finish the exterior of the Pine Nut-Pesto ball?
After shaping it, roll the ball in a reserved 1/2 cup of toasted pine nuts.
How many total ingredients are used in this recipe?
The recipe utilizes 15 main ingredients to create the three different flavors.