Cheese balls are extremely versatile and easy to make. Any soft cheese can work, but most commonly people use cream cheese or goat cheese. From there creativity takes over. Cheese balls can be savory, sweet, spicy, or whatever flavor you want. It all depends on what you add.
Start with 8 oz. of whichever cheese you're using, softened to be pliable.
For a more savory cheese ball, stir in 1/4 cup of chives, 1/4 cup of bacon bits, 1/2 tsp of garlic powder and salt and pepper to taste.
A Hawaiian ball has 8 oz. of pineapple, 1/3 cup ham, 3 tbsp green onions, salt and pepper to taste.
For a sweeter ball, add some sugar (~1/4 cup) or if you're looking for a specific flavor, try some cake mix (3/4-1 cup). If you use cake mix, you may have to add ~1/4 cup of butter.
Once all of the ingredients are added, stir them together, either by hand or with a mixer. Shape the mixed cheese into a ball. (If it doesn't keep it's shape, wrap it in plastic wrap, then put it in the freezer for 1- 1 1/2 hours).
If you'd like, you can roll the finished cheese ball in crushed nuts, cookie crumbs, or other coating for an added garnish.
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