Description
Create a classic, crowd-pleasing cheese ball appetizer coated in bacon, herbs, and pecans. This recipe brings connection and joy to your next gathering, perfect for holidays or game days.
Ingredients
Scale
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1/4 cup crumbled cooked bacon (for coating)
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, 1/4 cup bacon, chives, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and black pepper. Mix well until everything incorporates evenly.
- Place the mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Form the mixture into a compact ball shape.
- Chill the cheese ball in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or until firm enough to handle easily.
- In a shallow dish, combine the chopped pecans and the remaining 1/4 cup crumbled bacon. Mix them together.
- Remove the chilled cheese ball from the plastic wrap. Roll the cheese ball in the pecan and bacon mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres completely to all sides.
- Return the finished cheese ball to the refrigerator until you are ready to serve.
- Serve cold with crackers, pretzels, or vegetable sticks.
Notes
- You can substitute the pecans with crushed walnuts or dried herbs for a different coating flavor.
- Make the cheese ball a day ahead for the best flavor development.
- If the cheese ball softens while serving, return it to the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up again.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (for bacon)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake Mixing and Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe
- Calories: Approx. 150
- Sugar: Approx. 1g
- Sodium: Approx. 250mg
- Fat: Approx. 13g
- Saturated Fat: Approx. 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: Approx. 6g
- Trans Fat: Trace
- Carbohydrates: Approx. 2g
- Fiber: Approx. 0.5g
- Protein: Approx. 6g
- Cholesterol: Approx. 30mg