Hedgehog Cheese Ball | Julie Blanner

November 22, 2022

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This lovable Hedgehog Cheese Ball is the final word cheese unfold with almonds, inexperienced onion and bacon!

It’s nice for woodland themed child showers, Thanksgiving, Christmas or any particular occasion if you merely need to serve up some attraction.

A hedgehog cheese ball on a white plate, garnished with fresh rosemary.

There’s a conventional cheese ball I’ve seen served many instances, adorned like a pine cone for Christmas. I really like a little bit whimsy for holidays and particular occasions, so I made this the centerpiece of the Woodland Child Bathe I not too long ago hosted.

It’s a easy and scrumptious cheese ball recipe with almonds, cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon items, dill weed and inexperienced onion. When it marinates whereas refrigerated in a single day, magic occurs!

It’s true, I really like cheeseballs in each form, taste and magnificence. Who can argue with ALL.THE.CHEESE? The truth is, I’ve obtained your final cheese ball information proper right here – it’s a spherical up of all the pieces you must know to make the perfect conventional cheese ball appetizers!

Don’t miss my decoration cheese ball in case you’re searching for vacation appetizer inspiration! I’ve additionally obtained a easy, elegant technique to elevate a traditional cheese and crackers spread- your company will like it.

Once I’m internet hosting a big get collectively, I look to make forward dishes. That means I could make a little bit at a time with out added stress. A cheese ball is the right make forward appetizer and can maintain for five+ days!

This hedgehog cheese ball is as scrumptious as it’s lovable. It’s the right match for a child bathe or celebration. You may also serve it rolled in a ball for a extra conventional cheese unfold for soccer video games, New 12 months’s Eve and a lot extra!

A hedgehog cheese ball on a white plate.

Why You’ll Love this Hedgehog Cheese Ball

Easy Components
Fast and Straightforward
Make Forward
Feels Particular

Components and Substitutions

Cream Cheese – Use softened cream cheese, full fats for fullest taste. Study extra about Learn how to Soften Cream Cheese right here.
Mayonnaise – I really like an olive oil mayonnaise for nice taste. You may also learn to make selfmade mayonnaise right here.
Bacon – Chopped bacon items work nice for this recipe. Cook dinner and crumble your bacon utilizing your favourite methodology – or purchase premade cooked items for a shortcut!
Dill weed – Dried.
Inexperienced onion – Chopped small.
Salt and Pepper
Almonds – Left complete, to create the charming hedgehog form!
Olive – For the eyes and nostril, if you want.

Inquisitive about freezing your cream cheese recipes? Learn extra in Are you able to Freeze Cream Cheese to study all about what works and what doesn’t!

Variations

Attempt with cranberries on the outside as an alternative of almonds.
Add 3 tablespoons of Every thing Bagel Seasoning or as an alternative of bacon.
Attempt your favourite Seasoning Mix as an alternative of the dill weed
Attempt a decrease fats mayonnaise and cream cheese for a more healthy possibility.

Learn how to Make a Hedgehog Cheese Ball

Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon items and dill weed.
Fold in inexperienced onion, salt and pepper.
Refrigerate lined till stable.
On a platter, form right into a hedgehog (extra of an oval form than a conventional cheese “ball”) utilizing your palms or parchment.
Press almonds into the cheese unfold in rows overlaying all however a small space on the entrance to create the physique of the hedgehog.
Lower an olive in half. Place one half on the entrance of the hedgehog to create a nostril.
Use a slice of the remaining olive and minimize it in half to create eyes.
I additionally added a little bit rosemary to make it seem he’s scurrying by way of the grass.

Suggestions

Make Forward – Sure, you may make this unbelievable vacation appetizer forward! Easy wrap tightly and add toppings simply earlier than serving.
You should definitely cowl your cheddar cheese ball tightly. This not solely helps it maintain its form if you refrigerate, but it surely prevents air from getting inside and drying your hedgehog cheese ball out earlier than it’s able to serve.
Recent bacon is at all times greatest, however I feel it’s okay to make use of a pre-made bag of bacon bits right here.
That is scrumptious at room temperature however it might probably definitely be served chilly proper out of the fridge. It’s scrumptious both means, which is why it’s such an ideal make-ahead celebration meals!

Steadily Requested Questions

How lengthy can cheese ball sit out?

Cheese balls usually have a cream cheese base, and shouldn’t sit out for greater than two hours whereas serving.

What can I exploit as an alternative of almonds on this recipe?

When you’d wish to make this hedgehog cheese ball nut free, use pretzel sticks because the “quills” in your hedgehog! It’s simply as cute and enjoyable to serve.

Serving Solutions

Pear and apple slices are agency for easy spreading. Simply toss them in lemon juice to forestall browning.
Carrots and celery are the right low-carb various to serve with a cheese ball.
Crostini – it’s my favourite pairing! Crunchy crostini is the final word technique to get pleasure from a cheese unfold, particularly when drizzled in olive oil.
Salty pretzels are nice.
Buttery crackers are at all times a favourite with this cheese ball.

What to do with Leftovers

Use the leftover cheese ball melted into your favourite pasta dishes.
Add to sandwiches or wraps.
Add to egg dishes like quiche.
High a salad with this leftover cheese ball.

Dietary Concerns

Gluten Free
Vegetarian
Not make Nut Free, substitute the almonds with pretzel sticks!

Learn how to Retailer

At Room Temperature – You’ll be able to go away this hedgehog cheese ball out for as much as two hours whereas serving.
Refrigerate – Make this cheese ball as much as someday prematurely and retailer tightly wrapped (previous to including toppings). Retailer for as much as one week within the fridge.

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Extra Cheese Balls

Appetizers

Did you make this? Fee the recipe and tag me on social @julieblanner!