This Pioneer Woman Cheese Ball Recipe is rich, cheesy, and incredibly delectable in every way imaginable. It is molded into a ball and then covered with chopped nuts after being prepared using cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, fresh chives, and various seasonings.
This recipe for a quick cheese ball can be whipped up in less than fifteen minutes, making it perfect for your next party or unexpected guests. It is quick, simple, and requires almost any upkeep at all. Just serve it with some crackers of your choice, and you’re set to go!
Pioneer Woman Cheese Ball Recipe Ingredients
- Cream Cheese. Make sure to use full-fat brick-style cream cheese for the finest flavor, as this is the component of the cheese dip that is responsible for giving it its form.
- Sour Cream. The use of this helps to smooth out the cream cheese and makes it easier to spread.
- Cheddar Cheese. I just enjoy the flavor of sharp cheddar cheese, but you may use anything you like. The cheese should be freshly shredded after being removed from the block.
- Chives. You may also add the greens that are on the end of the green onion for an extra sense of freshness.
- Seasoning. Garlic powder, onion powder, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper are the seasonings that will be utilized here.
- Pecans. Chopped into small pieces, but not crumbs, to roll over the ball’s exterior so it doesn’t stick together.
- Crackers. To accompany the cheese ball when it is served.
Can I Make The Cheese Ball Mixture By Hand?
If you don’t have an electric mixer, you could also mix this by hand. Let the cream cheese soften well, then just use a wooden spoon and stir stir stir.
Ideas On How To Shape A Cheese Ball
You do not have to confine yourself to the form of a traditional cheese ball at all (as we have in this recipe). The following are some further ingenious suggestions for the shape of the cheese ball: The design of the inside may be altered to suit the needs of the space and the occasion.
- Sports. A basketball for the championships, an oval football for the celebrations dedicated to the sport, etc.
- Fall. A pumpkin for use at autumn gatherings.
- Christmas. Christmas decorations might include a sleigh, a snowman, a wreath, or a tree.
- Thanksgiving. A turkey, in keeping with the holiday of
- Thanksgiving.
- Log. Alternately, instead of rolling the mixture into balls, you could just form it into a log and use it for any event.
How To Make Pioneer Woman Cheese Ball
- In a medium mixing bowl, place the cream cheese. (The cream cheese should be softened but still firm.) Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Beat in the sour cream for 30 seconds, or until incorporated.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar, 1 tablespoon of fresh chives, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce with a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour and up to 24 hours.
- Remove from the refrigerator and shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Coat thoroughly with chopped pecans and the remaining chives. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Chill and serve with crackers, toasted crostini, or raw veggies.
What To Serve With A Cheese Ball?
The cheese balls are traditionally served with crackers of the customer’s choosing; however, they can be offered with a wide variety of other accompaniments. The cheese ball can also be served in the following alternative ways.
- Vegetables (carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, or celery)
- Pretzels or Pretzel Crisps
- Bagels if served for brunch
- Crostini
- Pita chips
- Salami or turkey
- Tortilla chips
- Your favorite crackers
- Olives or roasted peppers
Recipe Variations
There is an incredible variety of taste combinations available for your consumption. We enjoy all of them, whether they are sweet, spicy, or savory.
- Spicy. To give the cream cheese mixture some kick, add a few drops of hot sauce in a few different spots. Alternatively, you might use pepper jack for cheddar. You could also incorporate some sliced jalapenos into the mix.
- Cheddar, Bacon, Ranch. The cream cheese should have chopped cooked bacon and ranch dip mix added to it. The exterior should have chopped cooked bacon, dill, and parsley sprinkled on it.
- Cranberry And Blue Cheese. Cream cheese, blue cheese, chopped parsley, and craisins are the ingredients in this spread. Cover the outside in a mixture of chopped cranberries and pecans.
How To Store Cheese Ball?
- In The Fridge. Depending on how fresh the ingredients were, to begin with, the cheese ball can keep anywhere from two weeks to a month if it is stored in the refrigerator in a container that does not allow air to enter. Be sure to make a note of the date when the items you use have passed their expiry.
- In The Freezer. As long as the nuts have not been mixed in yet, the cheese ball can be stored in the freezer for up to one month. The ball should then be wrapped in plastic wrap before being placed into a freezer bag. When you are ready to use them, defrost them overnight in the refrigerator and then roll them in the pecans. Serve right away, or rewrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for an hour before serving.
- To Make Ahead. This cheese ball recipe may be prepared ahead of time; simply omit the pecan coating before serving. Wrap it up and put it in the fridge for up to two days. Form into balls, roll in nuts and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve about an hour or two before serving.
Recipe Tips
- If the cream cheese is not at room temperature, you will have a very difficult time mixing the ingredients together.
- If you like things on the spicy side, give the combination a boost by adding some Hot Sauce or Sriracha.
- If you want the mixture to be softer and simpler to spread or dip, serve the cheese ball at room temperature when you’re ready to serve it.
- You are free to use the cheese of your choice or a combination of cheeses. You can’t go wrong with any of these excellent cheeses: mild cheddar, strong cheddar, four-cheese (Mexican), Colby Jack, or Monterey Jack cheese. If you want superior flavor without adding any additives, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.
Pioneer Woman Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces of cream cheese full fat, brick style, softened
- ⅓ cup sour cream
- 8 ounces of sharp cheddar cheese about 2 cups, shredded
- 2 tablespoons fresh minced chives divided
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- salt and pepper optional and to taste
- pecans finely chopped
- crackers for serving
Instructions
- In a medium mixing bowl, place the cream cheese. (The cream cheese should be softened but still firm.)
- Using an electric mixer, beat until smooth, about 1-2 minutes. Beat in the sour cream for 30 seconds, or until incorporated.
- Stir in the shredded cheddar, 1 tablespoon of fresh chives, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce with a wooden spoon or spatula.
- Refrigerate for at least one hour and up to 24 hours.
- Remove from the refrigerator and shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Coat thoroughly with chopped pecans and the remaining chives. Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
- Chill and serve with crackers, toasted crostini, or raw veggies.
Notes
- If the cream cheese is not at room temperature, you will have a very difficult time mixing the ingredients together.
- If you like things on the spicy side, give the combination a boost by adding some Hot Sauce or Sriracha.
- If you want the mixture to be softer and simpler to spread or dip, serve the cheese ball at room temperature when you’re ready to serve it.
- You are free to use the cheese of your choice or a combination of cheeses. You can’t go wrong with any of these excellent cheeses: mild cheddar, strong cheddar, four-cheese (Mexican), Colby Jack, or Monterey Jack cheese. If you want superior flavor without adding any additives, buy a block of cheese and shred it yourself.