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READY IN ABOUT 2½ hrs

Traditional Christmas Cheese Ball

Read Reviews (30)

"I look forward to this simple, traditional cheese ball every year. It has been served during family Christmas Eve parties since before my time. The ingredients are few and inexpensive, and might be made year-round, but I reserve this one special appetizer for the holidays only to maintain its specialness. I love to serve Ritz crackers with the cheese ball to bring out its savory flavor." — Love2Cook87

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Original recipe makes 12 servings Change Servings

1 1/2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (2.5 ounce) package thinly sliced smoked beef, chopped
1 (2.25 ounce) can pimento-stuffed green olives, chopped

1 small Vidalia or other sweet onion, minced
2 dashes Worcestershire sauce, or to taste
1 cup chopped walnuts

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Directions

Mix the cream cheese, beef, olives, onion, and Worcestershire sauce together in a bowl until evenly blended. Keeping the mixture in the bowl, scrape it into a semi-ball shape. Cover, and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours.
Place a large sheet of waxed paper on a flat surface. Sprinkle with walnuts. Roll the cheese ball in the walnuts until completely covered. Transfer the cheese ball to a serving plate, or rewrap with waxed paper and refrigerate until needed.

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PREP 25 mins
READY IN 2 hrs 25 mins

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Reviews More Reviews

Most Helpful Positive Review

Dec 23, 2010

My daughter makes this every year for Christmas & New Year's Eve.We leave the olives out & add some galic powder to it. Very easy & good!!!

—rainbowgal

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Most Helpful Critical Review

Dec 17, 2011

This was so delicious! Everyone absolutely loved it and it was gone in no time. It tasted great on its own but I have also tried adding extra sharp cheddar cheese for some extra flavour and this was just as delicious. It gave it some extra flavour, making the taste of the cream cheese a little fainter (although, don't get me wrong, I love cream cheese). All in all, I loved this recipe (as is)!!! Will be making MANY times again. It's now a favourite for parties.

—ceballos

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38 Ratings

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Nov 12, 2009

really great!!

—tina

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Dec 11, 2011

This is a good, basic savory cheese ball. I mixed everything together in a food processor and it was super-easy. Just make sure the folks you will be serving it to like green olives.

—jrbaker

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Dec 15, 2012

The dried beef is made by Hormel and is sold in a small clear glass jar. Ask for help finding it. It's an old product that's been around for a long time.

—deepsnogrl

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Dec 14, 2012

I make this every year but add 6 oz blue cheese, and add a couple of dashes of garlic powder and onion powder, diced fine green and red pepper and also diced black olives and a cap full of lemon juice. Easy on the olives as they can be over powering. I do not use nuts - just put it in a bowl and serve with several kinds of crackers. It is always the first appetizer to be gone. Chilling overnight is best.

—denis

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Dec 30, 2011

I made this for two Christmas parties this year (2011) and it was a huge hit! I don't eat meat so I substituted smoked salmon instead. Amazing!

—jensparkler

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Sep 16, 2011

This is one of the best all time cheese balls, everyone likes it. It also makes alot. Get out the crackers and enjoy.

—lesguild

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Nutrition

Calories
180 kcal
9%

Carbohydrates
2.8 g
< 1%

Cholesterol
35 mg
12%

Fat
17.3 g
27%

Fiber
0.8 g
3%

Protein
4.9 g
10%

Sodium
293 mg
12%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Nutritional Information

Traditional Christmas Cheese Ball

Serving Size: 1/12 of a recipe
Servings Per Recipe: 12
Amount Per Serving
Calories: 180
Calories from Fat: 156

% Daily Value *
Total Fat 17.3g 27 %
Saturated Fat 7g 35 %
Cholesterol 35mg 12 %
Sodium 293mg 12 %
Potassium 109mg 3 %
Total Carbohydrates 2.8g < 1 %
Dietary Fiber 0.8g 3 %
Protein 4.9g 10 %
** Sugars 0.6g
** Vitamin A 8 %
** Vitamin C < 1 %
Calcium 5 %
Iron 9 %
** Thiamin 5 %
** Niacin 7 %
** Vitamin B6 5 %
** Magnesium 7 %
** Folate 8 %

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
** Nutrient information is not available for all ingredients. Amount is based on available nutrient data.
(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a medically restrictive diet, please consult your doctor or registered dietitian before preparing this recipe for personal consumption.