Apple and Pear Shaped Cheese Balls

by TamaraBerg

2.0K274

Intro: Apple and Pear Shaped Cheese Balls

Come on... who doesn't love a cheese ball? They're fun to eat, and easy to make. So here I offer my variation on the classic cheese ball. An easy and delicious way to 'fancy up' this cheesy classic.

STEP 1: Ingredients

Apple Cheese Ball

8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
2 Tbs. Butter, softened
8 oz. sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
1 Tbs. Apple Brandy
1 Tbs. Apple Jelly or Apple Butter
2 cups Fried Onions
1 tsp. smoked paprika
Branch and leaves for garnish

Pear Cheese Ball

8 oz package of cream cheese, softened
2 Tbs. Butter, softened
5 oz. crumbled Gorgonzola or Blue Cheese, softened
1 Tbs. Pear Jam or Jelly
1 Tbs. Pear Brandy
1 cup Walnuts or Pecans
Yellow food coloring
Branch and leaves for garnish

Ingredients note:

You can use flavored liquors instead of brandy -- it's just that the brandy has a richer, fuller flavor than a liquor.

STEP 2: Mix Filling

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, butter and cheddar or gorgonzola cheese. Beat with a hand mixer or stand mixer until fluffy.

Add in jam and brandy, and beat until combined.

Place mixture in refrigerator while working on next step.

STEP 3: Prepare Coating

For Apple cheese ball:

Place fried onions in a ziplock bag and crush finely.

Add smoked paprika, and toss/knead to combine.

For Pear cheese ball:

Toast walnuts/pecans in a dry frying pan over medium heat, or in the broiler until golden brown. Set aside to cool. Once cool, chop or use a food processor nuts finely. Add 8 to 12 drops of yellow food coloring, if desired.

Place mixed coating in a small bowl.

STEP 4: Shape

Remove cheese mixture from the refrigerator and shape into desired form with your hands.

STEP 5: Coating & Finishing

Once rough apple or pear form is achieved, drop cheese ball into bowl with coating, and press coating into the surface, refining fruit shape as you go.

Once cheese ball is formed, add decorative leaves, and display.

These can be refrigerated for 2 days, or frozen for up to a month. If frozen, be sure to allow time to thaw before serving. Enjoy these tasty balls of cheese. For the cheeseball in you!

@TamaraBerg on Twitter

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www.TamaraCentral.com

4 Comments

sabu.dawdy 8 years ago

This is an amazing idea. Congrats on being a finalist

TamaraBerg 8 years ago

Aw, thanks! They're really tasty too.

sunshiine 8 years ago

What a beautiful presentation~ Thanks for sharing and do have a nice weekend~

sunshiine~