Christmas Cheese Balls

Total Time

Prep: 20 min. + chilling

Makes

3 cheese balls (6 cups)

Updated: Nov. 07, 2023
Christmas at our house just wouldn't be complete without these rich cheese balls. Friends and family ask for them every year-and I can make three gifts from just one recipe. —Margie Cadwell, Eastman, Georgia
Christmas Cheese Balls Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • 4 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
  • 4 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup evaporated milk
  • 1 can (4-1/4 ounces) chopped ripe olives, drained
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Minced fresh parsley, chopped pecans and paprika
  • Assorted crackers

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Stir in the pecans, milk, olives, garlic and salt. Divide into thirds; roll each into a ball.
  2. Roll 1 ball in parsley and 1 in nuts. Sprinkle the third with paprika. Cover and refrigerate. Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving. Serve with crackers.

Nutrition Facts

2 tablespoons: 125 calories, 12g fat (6g saturated fat), 29mg cholesterol, 165mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.