What to Bring to a Christmas Party: Easy Make-Ahead Holiday Appetizers
These make-ahead bite-sized cheeseballs are the perfect option. You can make them with blue cheese, goat cheese, cream cheese or even cheddar. And the toppings to roll these beautiful little balls in our endless.
The holiday season is in full swing, and that means it's time for festive gatherings and Christmas parties. If you've been invited to a shindig and want to contribute to the feast without spending hours in the kitchen, consider making some easy make-ahead holiday appetizers. One popular option that never fails to please the crowd are these classic mini cheeseballs.
When it comes to bringing food to a party, convenience is key. Nobody wants to be stuck in the kitchen when they could be mingling and enjoying the festivities. That's where make-ahead appetizers come in handy. Cheeseballs, in particular, are a go-to choice for many reasons.
photo from Pinterest
First off, they're versatile. You can tailor a cheeseball to suit various tastes by incorporating different cheeses, herbs, and coatings. Whether you prefer a sharp cheddar, blue cheese or my favorite a more sophisticated blend of goat cheese, there's a cheeseball for everyone.
The make-ahead factor is a game-changer. Spending a little time in the kitchen the day before the party means you can show up on the day-of stress-free. Just roll the cheeseball in your chosen coating (think nuts, herbs, or even dried fruit), wrap it up, and pop it in the fridge until it's party time.
Another advantage is the simplicity. No need for fancy culinary skills or exotic ingredients; cheeseballs are easy to prepare. Mix, shape, coat, and chill – that's pretty much the drill. Even if you're not a kitchen whiz, you can impress your friends with a tasty cheeseball that looks and tastes like you put in more effort than you did.
Photo from Pinterest
So, the next time you're scratching your head about what to bring to a Christmas party, consider making a cheeseball. It's a crowd-pleaser, easy to prepare in advance, and adds a touch of classic holiday charm to any festive gathering. Happy partying!
Mini Cheese Balls - Easy Make-Ahead Holiday Appetizers
Ingredients
- 8 ounces goat cheese, chevre, softened
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3 Tablespoons honey
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- dash of cayenne (optional)
- Toppings:
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 2/3 cups pistachios, finely chopped
Instructions
- In a food processor, add cream cheese, goat cheese, salt and honey, Blend until combined. Or combine by hand.
- Place cheese mixture in refrigerator to cool for 20 minutes or overnight.
- Remove the cheese mixture and roll into 1/2″ mini balls. I like this size because it's one bite.
- Remove the cheese balls from the refrigerator and roll them in the toppings (crushed pistachio, and chopped cranberries in this case)
- Place a pretzel stick or rosemary skewer through the center and serve.
- If you are not serving it right away, store it in the refrigerator. See notes below.
- Optional: Serve with your favorite crackers.
Notes
- Use different Cheeses: Substitute blue cheese or shredded cheddar for the goat cheese. Or use seasoned cream cheese.
- Use pretzel sticks or rosemary for skewers.
- Season to Taste: Try garlic powder and dried herbs.
- Don’t Skimp on the Chill Time: You have to chill your goat cheese mixture as indicated in the recipe – both before and after you form the balls. The initial chill time helps you create the balls, and the latter makes them easier to roll into the toppings.
- Season to Taste: If you’d like to add more garlic powder or dried basil to your cheese ball mixture, go right ahead. Just keep in mind that the toppings will add additional flavor.
- Chill Time: Chilling the mixture for an hour before rolling makes it a bit easier to roll.
- Refrigerate Unless Serving Immediately: If you’re not serving your cheese balls right away, keep them in the fridge until you’re ready to dig in. This keeps them fresh and prevents them from melting.
- What to serve them with: Serve with crackers, chips or more pretzels. You could also drizzle them with a little bit of honey.
- Plating: Arrange in a triangle for a Christmas tree or in a wreath.
- Storage: Make up to a week ahead. These cheese balls should be kept refrigerated in an airtight container. Freezing: Wrap each cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and freeze them in a freezer-safe container or storage bag. Unwrap them and thaw them in an airtight container in the fridge – just make sure they’re not touching each other so that they don’t stick together. Roll in toppings the day of serving. Frozen cheese balls last for up to 2 months.
- Holidays: On Halloween, try poppy seeds and dried apricots. Valentines: chopped dried cherries and chopped dried cranberries.