Cheese balls! Well, it just wouldn’t be Christmas without that magical word. Sadly, it usually ranks right up there with “fruitcake” as a punchline. Nobody, however, will be laughing at this quick and tasty way to please the crowd at your next holiday party. They might politely smile when they first see your Almond Covered Cheese Ball, but it will soon become a proper success. It’ll be a hit with you, too, since this recipe is quick and easy to make. Simply whip up this recipe (after factoring in a two-hour chilling time) and serve with a variety of snack crackers like Triscuits, Ritz, or Townhouse Crackers: [photo via cookingclassy]
Ingredients
1 Package Cream Cheese(2 Packages for a Bigger Cheese Ball)
1 to 2 Teaspoons Worcestershire Sauce
1 Teaspoon Garlic Powder
1 Cup Sliced Almonds(2 cup for bigger cheese ball)
You can start crushing the almonds first. Grab a handful of thinly sliced almonds and place them in a sheet of aluminum foil. Carefully fold the foil over to create a flat surface and start crushing the almonds with a rolling pin. Once crushed, you can slide the almonds into a small bowl. Repeat the process with another handful of almonds. Try not to crush the full cup of almonds at once because you may end up spilling them all over the place.
Soften the cream cheese by leaving it out for 15 to 20 minutes. Once soft, you can unwrap the cheese and place it in a bowl. Add the garlic and Worcestershire sauce, mix well. With clean hands, take the mixture and form a ball. Sprinkle on the crushed almonds and place in the refrigerator so it can chill for at least two hours before serving. After a couple of hours, place the cheese ball in a large serving dish and arrange the crackers around it. Serve immediately.
Now feel free to edit this recipes as you see fit. If you don’t like almonds, you can use crushed walnuts, pecans, or cashews. If you or someone in your family is allergic to nuts, then go with adding herbs instead. Then go out and enjoy your party. Seriously, go socialize. You’ve earned it.