Cheese Truffles
These savory Cheese Truffles (Mini Cheese Balls) are the perfect appetizer ... easy to make and totally irresistible!
Servings: 22 cheese balls
Calories: 117kcal
Ingredients
For Cheddar Cheese Balls:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature (1 cup)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne (optional)
- pinch kosher salt
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups)
- 1 cup pecan bits
For Goat Cheese Balls:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature (1 cup)
- pinch kosher salt
- 8 ounces goat cheese, crumbled (about 2 cups)
- 1 ⅓ cups dried cranberries, minced
- 2 teaspoons minced orange zest (from 1 large orange)
For Blue Cheese Balls:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature (1 cup)
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- pinch kosher salt
- 8 ounces blue cheese, crumbled (about 2 cups)
- ⅔ cup shelled pistachios, ground or very finely minced
For Serving:
- crackers
- fresh fruit
Instructions
Cheddar Cheese Balls
- Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer), mix cream cheese, garlic powder, cayenne, and pinch salt until smooth.
- Add cheddar, then continue mixing just until incorporated.
- Line a baking sheet (or serving tray) with parchment paper. Using a spoon, scoop out 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture, then drop onto parchment. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- Lightly wet hands, then roll cheese into balls. Place pecan bits in a small bowl, then roll balls in pecans until coated.
Goat Cheese Balls
- Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer), mix cream cheese and pinch salt until smooth.
- Add goat cheese, then continue mixing just until incorporated.
- Line a baking sheet (or serving tray) with parchment paper. Using a spoon, scoop out 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture, then drop onto parchment. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- Refrigerate cheese on baking sheet for ½ hour, or until firm enough to handle. Then, use hands to roll into balls.
- Combine cranberries and zest in a small bowl; mix well. Roll cheese balls in mixture until mostly coated.
Blue Cheese Balls
- Using a stand mixer (or hand mixer), mix cream cheese, garlic powder, and pinch salt until smooth.
- Add blue cheese, then continue mixing just until incorporated.
- Line a baking sheet (or serving tray) with parchment paper. Using a spoon, scoop out 1 tablespoon of cheese mixture, then drop onto parchment. Repeat with remaining mixture.
- Refrigerate cheese on baking sheet for ½ hour, or until firm enough to handle. Then, use hands to roll into balls.
- Place ground pistachios in a small bowl, then roll cheese balls in pistachios until coated.
Serving
- Refrigerate Cheese Truffles until ready to eat. Serve with crackers and fresh fruit (such as grapes). Enjoy!
Notes
This recipe is really flexible! Check out the info before the recipe card for lots of tips, plus ideas for using other cheese, coatings, and flavor combinations.
I found that the easiest way to roll the cheddar balls, was to wet my hands very lightly first (and then occasionally as I continued to roll the balls). The goat cheese and blue cheese balls are softer, however. It was easiest to wet my hands only once (or not at all), then roll all the balls.
Cheese balls can be frozen if you are making them ahead of time. Thaw in the refrigerator for about 3 to 4 hours before serving.
Each recipe will yield about 22 balls, so if you make all three varieties, you will end up with 66 balls.
Calories indicated above are for the cheddar balls (about 117 calories per ball). The goat cheese balls are about 86 calories per ball, and the blue cheese balls are about 92 calories per balls. Calories are approximate, do not include crackers / fruit, and will vary depending on the exact brand of cheese, nuts, etc. that you use.
Nutrition
Serving: 1ball | Calories: 117kcal
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