Bacon Cheese Ball
This bacon cheese ball is an easy appetizer your party guests will love! It has three cheeses blended with herbs and spices and coated with crispy bacon.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese softened (8 oz. is one standard block)
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- ¼ cup shredded provolone cheese
- 1 tablespoon fresh minced onion
- 1½ teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- ½ teaspoon freeze dried chives
- ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon paprika
- ⅓ cup chopped cooked bacon (crispy) about ½ pack
- crackers of your choice for serving
Instructions
- In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together the cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and provolone.
- Ass Worcestershire sauce, onion, and the remaining dry ingredients except for the bacon (parsley, freeze dried chives, garlic powder, paprika).
- Place a large piece of plastic wrap onto a flat work surface. Transfer the cheese ball mixture to the middle of the plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to form it into a ball shape. Start by taking up all of the sides to form a pouch with the plastic wrap, and shape into a ball, tightening the sides of the plastic wrap around the ball.
- Transfer the cheese ball to the refrigerator and let chill to firm up before rolling (about 8 hours). Note that you can expedite this using the freezer for a couple hours instead, but 8 hours in the fridge yields the best flavor.
- Shortly before serving, place the cooked chopped bacon into a bowl.
- Remove the cheese ball from the plastic wrap and roll around in the bowl until all sides are coated.
- Transfer the cheese ball to a serving plate. Serve at room temperature and store in the refrigerator in an air tight container. (It's OK if the cheese ball starts out slightly cold when you serve it. It'll gradually reach room temperature.)
Notes
This recipe makes plenty for a party of about 12-15 guests, and is easily doubled to make a large cheese ball for larger parties.