Bacon Horseradish Cheese Ball

Today I have a recipe for a homemade cheese ball made with blue cheese, cream cheese, cheddar, horseradish and bacon for a home-made classic holiday appetizer or party.

I originally published this recipe as a guest post from Carrie Burril on december 5th, 2014. I have updated the content to share it with you again today.

If you’ve never made a homemade cheese ball before then your world is about to change. There is simply no comparison to dry and chalky store-bought cheese balls. This is just out of this world. The horseradish and honey mustard add a kick to the cheddar cheese filling. 

Ingredients For Bacon Horseradish Cheese Ball

Cream Cheese

For the correct texture you’ll need full fat cream cheese. Light versions will not set up correctly and they will be too sticky. Make sure your cream cheese is room temperature. If you are in a rush you can warm it in 10 second bursts in the microwave. 

Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Find the sharpest available cheddar cheese for the best flavor. 

Blue Cheese Crumbles

I used gorgonzola because they are so creamy. If you like blue cheese, you’ll love the flavor it adds to this cheeseball. If you are not a fan, omit it and add 2 extra ounces of shredded cheddar. 

Scallion 

I added this to Carrie’s original recipe. In her original she used onion, but I like the color the scallions adds. I also added some scallion to the outside coating because I thought it would be pretty. 

Horseradish and Honey Mustard

Bacon, blue cheese and horseradish are such a great combination. I used them in this potato salad too! Carrie also added a little dab of honey mustard to the mix.

Coating: Bacon and Pecans with Scallions

• The exterior coating is made from chopped pecans. (If you have time, toast them for more nutty flavor. Just make sure to cool them completly before coating the cheese ball with them.) 
• Add to that two strips of crisp crumbled bacon and scallions (for color.)

How To Make a Homemade Cheese Ball

1. Start by beating the cream cheese until it is creamy. This will make it so the cheeses blend evenly. 
2. Add the rest of ingredients and beat to combine. 
3. Transfer the bowl to the fridge to chill for two hours. This will help it harden up a bit so you can shape it more easily.

Shaping the Cheese Ball

• Next, you’ll want to use a silicone or rubber spatula to scrape the cream cheese mixture into a rough ball shape in the bowl. 
• Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface and turn the cheese mixture out onto the plastic.
• Lift up the plastic and wrap the cheese into a ball. 
• Pick it up with your hands and shape to round it.

Pecan and Bacon Coating

• Combine the coating ingredients (bacon, pecans and scallion) on a sheet of parchment. 
• Unwrap the cheeseball, and drop it onto the coating mixture. 
• Lift up the sides of the parchment to coat the bottom sides of the ball. 
• Trying to keep your hands from touching the cream cheese mixture, hold onto the coated areas to turn the cheese ball over in the mixture. 
• Keep rolling and pressing the coating into the cheese until it won’t take any more. Discard any leftover topping (or add it to a salad!)

What To Serve With A Cheese Ball

• Crostini are a classic complement for cheese balls.
• Make a batch of Pickled Onions. The sweet and tangy onions go great with cheese! 
• The crispy coating on the outside of these Sweet and Spicy Spiced Nuts would be another nosh to pair with this appetizer. 
• Buttery and crisp crackers like Ritz crackers go well with a cheese ball. I love the ones made by Back To Nature (their Classic Round variety.) They are non-GMO and don’t have hydrogenated oils. 
• Fresh and dried fruit make a pleasant palate cleanser. Today I used grapes, but apples and pears would be really nice with the blue cheese and bacon flavors in this recipe.
• I also like to serve celery sticks with it because it is so rich. It is nice to have a healthier option. And celery works well because it is sturdy and you can dig it right into the cheese without the celery breaking. 

More Appetizer Recipes To Try

• Search our Appetizers recipes.
• Check out this fun list of Tapas recipes.
• These slow roasted grapes and goat cheese crostini are so good!
• During the holidays I like to make this cranberry and goat cheese flatbread as an easy appetizer. 
• We have been loving this Vegan Pate and making vegan charcuterie boards this season too. 
• My friend Megan’s cranberry goat cheese log is always a welcome addition to holiday appetizer collections! 

More Horseradish Recipes To Try

• I love adding Horseradish to Salad Dressing. Try it!
• In the spring and summer I like to make this creamy Horseradish Potato Salad with Greek Yogurt.

Thanks for reading. If you make this recipe, please me know by leaving a star rating and review. It is so helpful!

Happy Cooking!

~Katie

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