jim's Cheesy Christmas Wreath OR jim’s Traditional Cheese Ball OR jim’s Individual Cheese Balls

Cheese balls are always a hit at parties. You can make them up a day ahead and then serve them with crackers for the enjoyment of all.

But when you’re making a cheese ball for Christmas, why not turn your “Cheese Ball” into a “Christmas Wreath” in keeping with the season?

This will really impress your guests or your host and their guests if this is your contribution to someone else’s party.

Both recipes use the same ingredients. Or with the addition of some crushed Ritz Crackers you can also turn this recipe into smaller Cheese Balls to be presented as individual servings.

Stuff Required:

• 16 oz cream cheese (2 x 8 oz/250 gm packs)

• 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese (1 x 8 oz/250 gm tub of MacLaren’s Imperial Sharp Cheese)

• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

• 1 tbsp onion, finely chopped

• 1 dash of hot sauce

• 3 tbsp red bell pepper, finely chopped, divided

• 1 dash red hot peppers flakes

• 3 tsp parsley

• Ritz crackers, crushed (optional for preparation as “Individual Cheese Balls” preparation.

Do This:

jim’s Cheesy Christmas Wreath

1. Let cheeses soften at room temperature and then blend together.

2. Add Worcestershire sauce, onion, hot sauce, 1 tbsp of the red bell peppers and mix together.

3. Let cool in the fridge for several hours.

4. Place a glass on a plate and spoon the mixture around it, smoothing it to form a wreath then remove the glass from the center.

5. Sprinkle with the remaining red bell peppers, hot red peppers and parsley.

6. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

7. Serve with crackers.

OR This:

jim’s Traditional Cheese Ball

.

1. Let cheeses soften at room temperature and then blend together.

2. Add Worcestershire sauce, onion, hot sauce, 1 tbsp of the red bell peppers and mix together.

3. Let cool in the fridge for several hours.

4. Form the cheese into a single ball.

5. Sprinkle with the remaining red bell peppers, hot red peppers and parsley.

6. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

7. Serve with crackers.

OR This:

jim’s Individual Cheese Balls

1. Let cheeses soften at room temperature and then blend together.

2. Add Worcestershire sauce, onion, hot sauce, 1 tbsp of the red bell peppers and mix together.

3. Let cool in the fridge for several hours.

4. Mix in the remaining red bell peppers, hot red peppers and parsley.

5. Taking a spoonful at a time, form the mixture into small balls and roll in the crushed Ritz crackers to coat.

6. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Tip: If making  “jim’s Cheesy Christmas Wreath” or “jim’s Traditional Cheese Ball” a day ahead of time, do not perform Step 5 until just prior to serving. 

“jim’s Individual Cheese Balls” can be completed prior to refrigerating.