Ingredients
Cheese Ball Ingredients
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened but still slightly firm
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
- 1 cup pecans, chopped small
Instructions
- Mix the cheeses and seasonings: In a large stand mixer, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Beat on low speed until the mixture is smooth and well combined, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.
- Chill the mixture: Transfer the cheese mixture to the refrigerator and chill for 1 hour. This allows the flavors to meld and the mixture to firm up for shaping.
- Shape and coat the ball: Once chilled, shape the cheese mixture into a ball by hand. Roll it in the chopped pecans, pressing gently so the nuts adhere evenly all around the ball.
- Serve: Place the cheese ball on a serving platter, ideally surrounded by crackers or fresh vegetables for dipping. The cheese ball can be made ahead and kept refrigerated until ready to serve.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened but still firm to achieve the best texture for mixing and shaping.
- Chilling the mixture helps the cheese ball hold its shape when coated with nuts.
- You can swap pecans with other nuts like walnuts or almonds based on preference or availability.
- For extra flavor, consider adding finely chopped herbs such as chives or parsley to the cheese mixture.
- This cheese ball pairs beautifully with a variety of crackers, fresh vegetables, or sliced baguette.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
