Appetizers & Snacksbonappetit
Port Wine Cheese Ball
A combination of cream cheese, blue cheese, and sharp cheddar cheese form the base of this appetizer inspired by Hickory Farms' iconic holiday cheeseball.
👥 6 Servings👤 Amelia Rampe📖 bonappetit
🥘 Ingredients
Check off ingredients as you prepare them:
🍳 Cookware
- ●baking sheet
- ●bowl
- ●oven
- ●food processor
📝 Preparation Steps
1
Preheat oven to 400°. Toast ¾ cup sliced almonds on a rimmed baking sheet, tossing halfway through, until golden brown, about ⏱️ 5 minutes. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool. Set aside.
2
Meanwhile, line a bowl large enough to hold your fist with a sheet of plastic wrap, leaving a 3" overhang. Process 4 oz. cream cheese, room temperature, 4 oz. sharp or extra-sharp cheddar, coarsely grated (about 1¼ cups), 1 oz. blue cheese, room temperature, 3 Tbsp. ruby port, 1 tsp. onion powder, ½ tsp. garlic powder, ½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce, ½ tsp. Diamond Crystal or ¼ tsp. Morton kosher salt, and ¼ tsp. ground pepper in a food processor until smooth. Taste and add more onion powder, garlic powder, salt, and/or pepper if needed. Scrape cheese mixture into prepared bowl; lightly cover with plastic overhang. Chill until firm, about ⏱️ 2 hours.
. cream cheese, room temperature4 oz. (or more) onion powder1 tsp. sharp or extra-sharp cheddar, coarsely grated (about 1¼ cups)4 oz. blue cheese, room temperature1 oz. ruby port3 Tbsp
3
Using plastic wrap, mold cheese mixture into a ball, then remove plastic and discard. Roll ball in reserved almonds, pressing gently to adhere and molding ball more if needed, until well coated (the ball will be easier to mold once it’s covered in nuts). Place cheese ball on a platter and chill in freezer until firm, about ⏱️ 30 minutes.
4
To serve, re-form cheese ball if needed and arrange assorted crackers around. Do ahead: Cheese ball can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill in refrigerator. Chill in freezer ⏱️ 30 minutes just before serving.
Assorted crackers (for serving)
Reviews & Ratings
Share your thoughts and feedback about this recipe
Write a Review
Community Feedback
0 ReviewsLoading reviews...