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Holiday Cheese Ball is a favorite family recipe that is so delicious and easy to put together. It uses two kinds of cheese (cream cheese, and cheddar) and is flavored with Worcestershire sauce and onion, and then coated in chopped pecans.

(Post modified on 11/2/23.)

I make this appetizer several times during the holiday season. Most times, I halve the recipe, but if you’re expecting a large group, go ahead and do both balls.

I like to serve this cheese ball when we begin our holiday season at Thanksgiving. Then again on Christmas Eve and at New Year’s. If we happen to have any leftover, I’ll use it prior to a meal or two the next week. It’s always good and no one seems to tire of it.

It’s also great for potluck dinners or times when you’re supposed to bring finger foods to a party or gathering. I like to serve it in a pretty dish surrounded by crackers. My favorite crackers to serve with it are Ritz (Plain or Veggie Flavored) or Triscuit crackers. This year, I plan to also try my Sourdough Artisan Crackers, as I think they might work wonderfully with it.

More Holiday Appetizers to Try

Ingredients for Holiday Cheese Ball

(See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)

cream cheese, softened
Worcestershire sauce
finely grated onion
cheddar cheese, grated
chopped pecans
dried parsley

Instructions for Making This Recipe

Ingredients for this Recipe Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.

Prepare the Ingredients

Using a sharp chef’s knife, mince the onion.

With a box grater, finely shred the cheddar cheese.

Using a nut chopper, chop the pecans.

Make the Cheese Ball

In a medium bowl, using a fork, mix together the softened cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion and finely grated cheese until incorporated well.

When my mom makes this recipe, she uses her mixer and whips the cheese until soft, like a dip. I like to mix it with my hand so that it’s firm and will form a ball. The main thing is to have your cream cheese at room temperature so that it will mix well.

Divide the mixture in half and roughly form two balls with your spoon.

Place Roughly Formed Ball on Pecans Using two plates, sprinkle half of the chopped pecans and dried parsley onto each plate. Carefully, roll each ball into the chopped pecans and parsley.

One Rolled Ball Gently press the pecans into the cheese as you go and keep rolling the ball until all of the pecans are used.

Serve the Cheese Ball in a Pretty Bowl with your Favorite Snack Crackers Place in a pretty bowl or on a cheese plate. Refrigerate until ready to use. When ready to serve, set out about 30 minutes prior to your first guests arrival to allow the cheese to soften a bit. Serve with crackers. Makes 2 balls, and serves approximately 16 people.

See more Appetizers Here. Browse Holiday Recipes Here.

Holiday Cheese Ball

Prep Time 25

Total Time 25

Serving Size 16

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Equipment

Ingredients

16 oz. cream cheese (softened)
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 tablespoon finely grated onion
2 oz. cheddar cheese (grated)
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 tablespoon parsley

Instructions

Gather your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table.

Prepare the Ingredients

Using a sharp chef's knife, mince the onion.
With a box grater, finely shred the cheddar cheese.
Using a nut chopper, chop the pecans.

Make the Cheese Ball

In a medium bowl, using a fork, mix together the softened cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, minced onion and finely grated cheese until incorporated well.
Divide the mixture in half and roughly form two balls with a spoon.
Using two plates as a base, sprinkle half of the chopped pecans and dried parsley onto each plate.
Carefully, roll each ball into the chopped pecans and parsley. Gently press the pecans into the cheese, and continue rolling until all the pecans are used.
Place in a serving bowl or on a cheese plate. Refrigerate until ready to use. When ready to serve, set out about 30 minutes prior to serving to allow to soften. Serve with crackers. Makes 2 balls, and serves approximately 16 people.