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Merry Christmas Eve!
I’m getting ready to check out and fly off to Mexicooooo here in a few days. But before I go, I thought I would squeeze in one final appetizer recipe here, just in case there are any procrastinators out there (like me) who have yet to plan their holiday menu. Really, this irresistible cheese ball recipe would be perfect any ol’ time of year. (It has already earned a guaranteed spot on my Super Bowl menu this February!) But since it is red and green, it gets my vote as a favorite new Christmas appetizer. Why?
First off, it is the perfect combination of sweet and savory and salty, which is my favorite kind of delicious. Seriously, could not stop snacking on this thing.
Second, it only calls for 6 ingredients. Well, it was going to be 5, but then I decided to roll it in some pecans at the last second. So 5 or 6 ingredients, your choice.
Third, it only takes about 10 minutes total to prep (plus extra time to chill), and can be made in advance.
Finally, it is downright TASTY. So let’s get to it.
Like with most cheese ball recipes, this one couldn’t be easier to make.
Start with your main 5 ingredients — a softened block of cream cheese, some crispy bacon, shredded cheddar, green onions, and your favorite bbq sauce. I prefer this homemade bbq sauce recipe of mine, but anything store-bought will also do. Just keep in mind that the sauce provides the main seasoning for this cheese ball, so choose one you like!
To make the cheese ball, just stir all of these ingredients together. Then plop them in a lump in the center of a big sheet of plastic wrap. Shape the lump into a ball, and wrap it tightly with the plastic, then refrigerate it for an hour or two until it is (at least mostly) firm.
Remove the ball from the wrap and place it on a plate covered in a mixture of bacon, green onions and pecans. (If you’re making this in advance, you might nix the green onions on the outside since they can wilt. Or just save this rolling step until the day you’re ready to serve it.)
Roll the cheese ball in the good stuff…
…and then serve it with lots of your favorite crackers, pretzels, veggie sticks, or whatever sounds good. I rediscovered Ritz crackers this year (hello, forgot how ridiculously good those are). So since it’s the holidays and everyone’s indulging, I had a bit of cheese ball with my Ritz. :)
Ok, I might have gotten a little carried away with the macro photo here, but there’s the inside of this puppy.
So. Good.
Happy cheese-balling, and merry Christmas to you all!
Add half of the bacon, half of the green onions, cream cheese, cheddar cheese and bbq sauce to a large mixing bowl. Stir together until evenly combined. Taste the mixture and season with a pinch of salt and pepper if needed, stirring the mixture once more to incorporate it.
Transfer the mixture to the center of a large sheet of plastic wrap. Form into a ball and wrap tightly with the plastic wrap. Refrigerate (or freeze) for at least 1-2 hours, or until mostly firm.
Add the remaining bacon, green onions and pecans to a large plate, and use your fingers to combine them. Unwrap the cheese ball and place it in the center of the plate. Then gently roll the ball around until it is coated with the bacon mixture.
Serve immediately with crackers or vegetable sticks for dipping. Or wrap and refrigerate the cheese ball again until you are ready to serve it.
You know what’s crazy? I have never made a cheese ball!! But, you totally had me at all that sweet, salty and savoury goodness here!!
Have fun in Mexico and Merry Christmas! Pinned!
I am with Taylor. I have never made a cheese ball either and I am a LOT older. But I need one for 1/1/15—so I pinned it. This is one that looks like people will oooh and aaaaah about.
Only you could make a cheese ball look like a work of art! Merry Christmas my beautiful friend! Have so much fun in Mexico!!!!! Can’t wait to see photos. xoxo
I have actually never made a cheese ball! But I definitely need to get on that next time I need an appetizer because wow does that look amazing! Love it! Merry Christmas!
My niece made this recipe for an at-home ladies party a couple weeks ago. Her and I barely gave the rest of the guests a chance to taste it because we kept going back for more. She gave me the link so that I could make it for a potluck party at work today. It was the first thing to go amongst a sea of dips and goodies!! It was so good that EVERYONE was asking for the recipe. I already planned on making it for my friends birthday party this weekend. I will be using this as a regular go-to recipe, since it is so inexpensive and very quick and easy to make. Thanks for sharing!! It’s DELICIOUS!!!
Hayley @ Gimme Some Oven —
Thanks for sharing with us Carrie, we’re so happy it was a hit! :D
BBQ BACON CHEESE BALL is great! I just finished it last night and the result was unexpected, my wife and daughter both liked it, which made me happy. Thanks for your recipe
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Hey, I’m Ali!
My favorite thing in life is time spent around the table. And all the better with some seriously tasty food to bring us all together. more about me »
You know what’s crazy? I have never made a cheese ball!! But, you totally had me at all that sweet, salty and savoury goodness here!!
Have fun in Mexico and Merry Christmas! Pinned!
I’m drooling….
I am with Taylor. I have never made a cheese ball either and I am a LOT older. But I need one for 1/1/15—so I pinned it. This is one that looks like people will oooh and aaaaah about.
um….yum!!!
Only you could make a cheese ball look like a work of art! Merry Christmas my beautiful friend! Have so much fun in Mexico!!!!! Can’t wait to see photos. xoxo
I have actually never made a cheese ball! But I definitely need to get on that next time I need an appetizer because wow does that look amazing! Love it! Merry Christmas!
What a perfect appetiser! Hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
All of your photos are eye candy!! I will definitely be adding this to my New Year’s Eve appetizer list!
My husband received a cheese ball for Christmas. I think I ate the whole thing by myself.
Delicious! I made this today for a party–it was a huge hit!
My niece made this recipe for an at-home ladies party a couple weeks ago. Her and I barely gave the rest of the guests a chance to taste it because we kept going back for more. She gave me the link so that I could make it for a potluck party at work today. It was the first thing to go amongst a sea of dips and goodies!! It was so good that EVERYONE was asking for the recipe. I already planned on making it for my friends birthday party this weekend. I will be using this as a regular go-to recipe, since it is so inexpensive and very quick and easy to make. Thanks for sharing!! It’s DELICIOUS!!!
Thanks for sharing with us Carrie, we’re so happy it was a hit! :D
Great recipe & Amazing photos.
It looks such a delicious recipe and it seems easy to make too.
I think I will try to cook it tomorrow.
Thank You!
Thanks, Kendrick — we hope you enjoy this!
This recipe is really simple and delicious! Just made for niece birthday as a snack.
Tried this recipe today and it is absolutely divine. Thanks for sharing your recipe.
BBQ BACON CHEESE BALL is great! I just finished it last night and the result was unexpected, my wife and daughter both liked it, which made me happy. Thanks for your recipe
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