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Golf-ball size cheese balls with pretzel stems sitting on a wooden cheese board.
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5 / 3 votes

Blue Cheese Balls

Blue cheese balls are a party favorite and far easier than a cheese log for guests to navigate while juggling a glass of wine in their other hand.
Prep Time30 minutes
Cook Time2 hours
Total Time2 hours 30 minutes
Course: Appetizers
Cuisine: American
Servings: 25 cheese balls
Calories: 109

Ingredients

  • 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 3 ounces soft blue cheese
  • 4 to 6 dates, pitted and chopped (about 1/2 cup)
  • Pinch cayenne pepper, (optional)
  • 2 cups chopped pecans, toasted, for coating
  • About 30 skinny pretzel sticks
US - Metric

Instructions

  • Using a stand mixer or a bowl, a spatula, and your biceps, mix together the cream cheese, blue cheese, dates, and cayenne, if using. Roll the mixture into balls a little smaller than an inch in diameter, place on a platter, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
  • Just before serving, roll the balls in the chopped pecans, making certain they're evenly coated. Insert a pretzel stick in each cheese ball and plop them on a platter.

Notes

  1. Blue cheese--Use a blue cheese that you enjoy, but not one that is too strong. Danish blue, Maytag, and Roquefort are all good choices.
  2. Toasting pecans--Toast the pecans in a skillet on a stovetop until slightly darkened and fragrant. This should only take a few minutes.
  3. Make in advance--The cheese mixture can be prepared and rolled into balls up to 1 day before serving. Store, loosely covered, in the fridge until just before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cheese ball | Calories: 109kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 13mg | Sodium: 85mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g