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Leah Maroney
Retro-inspired cheese balls are back and it's a Gouda thing. Whether they are made with cheddar, blue cheese, Gouda, feta, or Brie, cheese balls are always ready to party. The creamy orbs are an incredibly easy party appetizer to make—just mix, chill, and serve. Set one out with a tray of crackers, grilled baguette slices, or vegetable sticks, and stand back as your guests make them disappear.
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Brie and Cranberry Cheese Ball
Hello, is it Brie you're looking for? This festive cheese ball with dried cranberries, Brie, and cream cheese is perfect for bringing to holiday parties and office potlucks to spread on crackers or baguette slices. It's rolled in a cranberry-pistachio mixture for a beautiful presentation and great texture.
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Celebration Cheese Ball With Pecans
The Spruce
Can we celebrate with a cheese ball? Yes, pecan. Cheddar and cream cheese get a lift from onion and garlic and a crunch from pecans in this game-day and holiday favorite that's rolled in chopped nuts.
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Bacon and Fig Cheese Ball
Leah Maroney
Here's a recipe that combines two classic flavors into one cheesy (in a good way.) appetizer. Fig jam, crispy crumbled bacon, scallions, cheddar, and cream cheese combine to form a spread that's great for all of your festive gatherings, from holiday brunches to bridal showers.
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Pineapple Cheese Ball
Alan Richardson-Getty Images
Say aloha to a cheese ball packed with tropical flavor. Crushed pineapples add sweetness, while chopped green bell pepper and green onion lend texture and freshness. The whole orb is rolled in chopped nuts for crunch.
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Bacon and Smoked Gouda Cheese Ball
Think you can keep your party guests from demolishing this nut-free party cheese ball? Gouda luck. Yes, you guessed it—it's made with smoked Gouda, plus cream cheese, and a few other easy-to-find ingredients. Instead of nuts, it's rolled in bacon bits.
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Greek Cheese Ball
Enjoy a Greek getaway without even leaving the couch. Rich Kalamata olives, salty feta, fresh green peppers, and creamy Greek yogurt are just a few of the treasures you'll find inside. It's coated with crushed pita chips and basil leaves for color and freshness.
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Blue Cheese Ball
You won't feel blue once you get a taste of this classic party spread. Simply form a cheese ball out of blended blue cheese crumbles, cream cheese, and black olives, then cover with walnuts and snipped fresh chives. It's retro, but by no means out of date.
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Jalapeno Peach Cheese Ball of Darkness
The Spruce
Don't be afraid of the cheese ball. This chillingly good Halloween starter is coated in black sesame seeds for a dark and creepy look, but sweetness lurks inside in the form of fruit preserves added to the cream cheese filling. It's a great addition to your grown-up Halloween snack table.
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Vegan Party Cheese Ball
Move on over, dairy—there's a new "cheese" ball in town. This vegan appetizer gets its creamy texture from a blended mixture of soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, and vegan cream cheese, with lemon and a few spices added for flavor. You'll need to make this one a day ahead, and it can be kept in the fridge up to three days before serving.
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Festive Party Cheese Ball with Pecans
Lauri Patterson / Getty Images This retro appetizer is made from a simple combination of cheeses that are shaped into a festive ball, then rolled in finely chopped pecans. Set it out with assorted crackers, and it'll quickly become the star of your party.
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Gluten-Free Dill Pickle Cheese Ball
Be a big dill at your next party or potluck when you serve this gluten-free and addictively-delicious cheese ball. It's made with chopped dill pickles and dill weed, two varieties of cheese, plus a dash of hot sauce for a little kick. The outside is sprinkled with more chopped dill for a dip you'll devour quickly on crackers.
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Port Wine Cheese Ball
Why not enjoy this swanky port wine-infused cheese ball at your next party? This recipe has a sneaky heat from cayenne pepper, which nicely balances sweet fortified Portuguese wine in the cream cheese filling. Seasoned salt adds an extra pop of flavor for your taste buds. The whole thing is covered in sliced almonds for a pretty presentation.
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Southern Pimiento Cheese Spread
Diana Rattray
You'll be looking sharp when you serve this much-loved Southern favorite at your next event. It's loaded with shredded cheddar, cream cheese, mayo, pimientos, and hot sauce—with optional chopped jalapeno peppers or dill pickles for spice and crunch. Shape into a ball and serve as an appetizer with crackers or crusty bread.
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Strawberry Cheesecake Ball
This dessert-inspired party cheese ball is sweet, fruity, and sure to take the cake at your next gathering. Strawberry cream cheese filling is shaped into a ball and coated with miniature chocolate chips to mimic the flavors of a cheesecake.
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Mexican Cheese Ball
In queso emergency, serve this easy, cheesy, Mexican-inspired party spread that can be eaten with chips or sliced veggies. Two kinds of cheese mingle with green chiles and onions, taco seasonings, and lime juice. The mixture is rolled into a ball, chilled, then rolled in crushed tortilla chips.