It's day 5 of the 12 Days Of Christmas 2018 event and today we are sharing Holiday Party Food Ideas. I'm sharing a guest favorite spicy cheese ball recipe that is always a hit when we host gatherings.

It is very quick and easy to make either as one large cheese ball or served in individual cheese ball bites. What makes this recipe so popular, is that it has a spicy kick but without the heat.

Guest Favorite Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe

If I don't serve this delicious spicy cheese ball when entertaining, I hear about it! You'll be surprised when you learn what secret ingredient makes this recipe such a hit. I've included a printable recipe card further down in the post.

Welcome to Day 5 of the Fourth Annual 12 Days of Christmas Series!

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GO HERE for the complete list of Dates and Topics plus a collection of the most popular holiday ideas including ornaments, games, recipes, and more from all 50 plus talented bloggers!

It's Day 5 and we are sharing Holiday Party Food Ideas!

12 Days of Christmas

DIY Gift Ideas - Upcycled Basket Holiday Hostess Gift
DIY Christmas Countdown - Christmas Countdown Santa Cottage
DIY Kid's Crafts - Easy Snowflake Craft To Make With Your Grandkids
Holiday Party Food - Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe (You Are Here)
DIY Ornament Ideas - Three Unique Recycled Sweater Ornaments
Holiday Decor Ideas - Milk and Cookies Tray For Santa
Christmas In A Jar - Retro North Pole Christmas Diorama
Pretty Gift Wrapping Ideas - Eco-Friendly Holiday Gift Wrap and DIY Gift Tags
Christmas Trees - Sparkly Red Burlap Tabletop Christmas Trees
Something Sweet - Family Holiday Favorite Walnut Strudel Cookies
Stockings - Unique High Heel Christmas Stocking For A Fashionista

This post contains affiliate links so you can see what products I used or recommend for this project. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

So what is the secret ingredient that makes this spicy cheese ball so good?

Sharp cold packed cheddar cheese! I use the McLaren's Imperial brand because it's readily available here in Canada but here is another cold pack cheddar cheese alternative.

I've tried other types of cheddar and it is not the same. I've yet to taste a cheese ball as good as this recipe.

Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe Ingredients

250 gram Sharp Cold Packed Cheddar Cheese (alternative)
125 g ( 1/2 package) Cream Cheese
1 tbsp Lemon Juice
1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
1/4 tsp Tabasco Sauce
1 tsp Chili Powder
1 tsp Paprika

Does this spicy cheese ball pack the heat?

It has just the right amount of spices to give it a punch of flavor without the heat. I do not tolerate spicy foods but I can eat this cheese ball with no problem.

Can I make this cheese ball ahead of time?

This cheese ball is even more flavorful when made the day before. Wrap it in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge until ready to serve.

How To Make The Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe

First, dice the cheddar and cream cheese into small chunks to fit in a small food chopper.

Next, add the lemon juice, Tobasco sauce, and garlic powder into a small Food Chopper. On the puree setting, gradually pulse the ingredients until they are blended (like pictured below).

Set the creamy ingredients onto a sheet of wax paper or parchment paper and form it into a flat ball. My preference is to split it in half to form two smaller cheese balls. Serve one and have the other in the fridge to replenish as needed.

Another alternative is to form it into small individual cheese ball bites. You will need to double the recipe for the latter.

Cover the cheese ball in plastic wrap and place it in the fridge for at least an hour to get firm.

Combine the paprika and chili powder in a small bowl. Sprinkle the spice mixture onto a sheet of parchment or wax paper. Roll the cheese ball into the spice mixture so it gets a generous coating on the sides and top.

Cover the cheese ball with plastic wrap until ready to serve. For a festive touch during the holidays, garnish the cheese ball with sprigs of fresh rosemary and cranberries. Serve with a heavier cracker.

What crackers are best served with this cheese ball?

I would recommend you serve the cheese ball with a heavier more dense cracker like Ritz, Triscuit, or Table Water Crackers, to name a few.

As promised, here is the printable recipe card below.

Recipe Yield: 48 8g servings

Author: Interior Frugalista

Print

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Guest Favorite Spicy Cheese Ball Recipe

This recipe is so popular at my house that if I don't serve it during the holidays, I hear about it! One ingredient makes this the best spicy cheese ball ever without the heat.

prep time: 15 M cook time: total time: 15 M

ingredients:

• 250 gram Sharp Cold Packed Cheddar Cheese
• 125 g Cream Cheese or 1/2 package
• 1 tbsp Lemon Juice
• 1/4 tsp Garlic Powder
• 1/4 tsp Tabasco Sauce
• 1 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 tsp Paprika

instructions:

How To Make The Spicy Cheese Ball

1. Dice cheddar and cream cheese and place them in a small food chopper.
2. Add lemon juice, Tabasco sauce, and garlic powder.
3. Puree until soft and smooth.
4. Shape into a flat ball.
5. Wrap cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour until firm.
6. Combine chili powder and paprika in a small bowl.
7. Sprinkle spice mixture on parchment or wax paper.
8. Roll the cheese ball in spice mixture until well coated on the sides and top.
9. Wrap in waxed paper or plastic wrap in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
10. Place crackers on the top of the cheese ball to form a Christmas ornament stem.
11. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and cranberries.
12. Serve with a thicker dense cracker.

Calories
30.53

Fat (grams)
2.65

Sat. Fat (grams)
1.51

Carbs (grams)
0.38

Fiber (grams)
0.04

Net carbs
0.34

Sugar (grams)
0.13

Protein (grams)
1.37

Sodium (milligrams)
44.53

Cholesterol (grams)
7.79

Nutritional information is for the cheese ball only and does not include the cracker's nutritional value.

Created using The Recipes Generator

All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.

Thanks for stopping by the Interior Frugalista today! If you try this spicy cheese ball recipe, I'd love to hear what you thought about it.

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Scroll down for more Party Food Ideas for the holiday season.

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