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A freshly made easy cheese ball, perfect for gatherings.

Classic Easy Cheese Ball

This classic easy cheese ball is perfect for parties, featuring a blend of cheeses and seasonings, coated in pecans and parsley. Serve with your favorite crackers and vegetables for a delightful appetizer.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 350
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese Ball Mixture
  • 2 blocks cream cheese (8-ounce) blocks, softened at room temperature
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
  • 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
  • 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Coating & Serving
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans for coating
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley for coating
  • Assorted crackers and fresh vegetables for serving

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Plastic wrap or parchment paper
  • Shallow plate

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Ensure both cream cheese and butter have been softened to room temperature for easier mixing.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter until the mixture is light and fluffy.
  3. Add garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper to the cheese mixture, then gently fold in the shredded cheddar cheese.
  4. Transfer the cheese mixture onto plastic wrap or parchment paper and use your hands to shape it into a ball.
  5. Wrap the cheese ball tightly and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours until it is firm.
  6. Once firm, unwrap the cheese ball and roll it in a mixture of finely chopped pecans and fresh parsley until evenly coated.
  7. Loosely rewrap the coated cheese ball or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate for at least one more hour.
  8. Before serving, let the cheese ball sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes to soften, then serve with crackers and fresh vegetables.

Notes

For best results, make the cheese ball a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld. You can also experiment with different coating ingredients like crushed pretzels or everything bagel seasoning.