This cheese ball recipe might be old fashioned, but let’s get something straight, it’s down right tasty. Bring this blue cheese cheese ball to your next holiday for the perfect appetizer.

Cheese ball covered in nuts on a plate with crackers

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Blue Cheese Cheese Ball Recipe

Here in rural Indiana, we have a local sorority that sells old fashioned cheese balls every year around the holidays. These zesty cheese balls are some what famous. Many people have been buying these same cheese balls for decades.

I even know friends who purchase multiple, and then freeze them for later. Did you know you that cheese balls are perfect for freezing for later? Now you do!

Cheese ball with blue cheese covered in nuts on a plate with crackers

Zesty Cheese Ball Ingredients

I recently ate one of those old fashioned cheese balls at a friend’s house, and it was soo good. I decided right then and there that I was going to find that exact recipe.

So I went home, and pulled out one my go-to cook books called Carefree Country Cook, and you’ll never believe it but this recipe was on the very first page.

Softened Cream Cheese
Blue Cheese
Sharp Cheddar Cheese
Garlic Powder or Onion Powder
Tabasco or Hot Sauce
Chopped Pecans

What makes a cheese ball so good?

A delicious cheese ball is cheesy, salty and has a punch of flavor. I attribute the perfect flavor to the combination of sharp cheddar cheese, blue cheese with a dash of Tabasco or your favorite hot sauce such as Cholula Original Hot Sauce.

How to Make a Cheese Ball?

Step by Step Instructions

Add softened cream cheese, blue cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder and Tabasco to a large bowl or to the mixing bowl of a stand mixer.
Blend together until all the ingredients are incorporated into the cream cheese.
Taste, and add more Tabasco, if desired.
Cover with plastic wrap, and chill for one hour in the refrigerator.
Form the chilled mixture into a ball, and roll in chopped nuts.
Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, and place in a zip-lock bag.
Store old fashioned cheese ball in the refrigerator, or freeze for later.
Serve with your favorite type of crackers such as saltines, Ritz crackers, Club crackers, pita chips, pretzel chips, etc.

Storage Instructions

As a food scientist, I highly advise against eating leftover cheese ball if it has set out at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or if multiple hands have cut into it. It’s just one of the foods that might just give you food poisoning after the holidays. If you don’t think you’ll consume an entire cheese ball at the holidays, then cut it in half or in thirds, and serve a smaller serving. You can always get another chunk out of the fridge, if needed.

Recipe Notes

I prefer using blocks of sharp cheddar cheese, and then grating it myself with a box grater. The pre-shredded cheese contains anti-caking ingredients that will change the texture.
Use onion powder instead of garlic powder, if needed or if desired. I did this out of necessity because I was out of garlic powder, and the result was still amazing.
Sharp cheddar cheese will give it the most zing, but mild cheddar is just fine.
Be sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature to prevent clumps.
Use a little or a lot of Tabasco or hot sauce to your desired flavor. I recommend using a few dashes, taste, and then add more.
The original recipe calls for chopped almonds instead of chopped pecans. Use either, or other nuts such as walnuts.

Crackers surrounding a cheese ball covered in nuts

How do you keep cheese balls from crumbling?

It’s essential that you keep the correct ratio of cream cheese to shredded cheese and blue cheese. If you add too much shredded cheese, it won’t have that smooth, spreadable texture.

Can you make a cheese ball the night before?

Yes, and even better, you can make an old fashioned cheese ball several days before or even a few weeks before. Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and then place it in an air-tight zip-lock baggie. Store it in the freezer for several months. To thaw, place it in the refrigerator.

Cheese ball covered in nuts with a scoop taken out of it

Classic Cheese Ball Recipes

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This cheese ball recipe might be old fashioned, but, it's down right tasty. Bring this blue cheese cheese ball to your next holiday party.

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