Gourmet Cheese Ball Recipe with a Spicy Apple Margarita

This cheese ball recipe looks beautiful on a serving dish and is a great recipe for holiday hosting.

Course Appetizers

Cuisine American-Inspired

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 10

Total Time 40

Servings

Calories 444kcal

Ingredients

For the gourmet cheeseball

1 cup white cheddar cheese
1/2 cup softened cream cheese
1/2 cup softened goat cheese
1 cup chopped walnuts (divided)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp dried thyme
2 tbsp minced fresh chives
1 tbsp liquid honey
1 baguette
olive oil

For the spicy apple margarita

2 oz Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative
2 oz apple cider
1 oz orange juice
wedge of lime
jalapeno salt and cinnamon for rimming the glass
sliced apple for garnish

Instructions

For the gourmet cheeseball

In a bowl mix together cheeses, garlic powder, 2 tbsp chives, thyme, honey and 1/4 cup chopped walnuts. Put the mixture into the fridge for 10-15 minutes - this will help make it easier to shape the ball.
Remove from the fridge and use your hands to form the mixture into a ball. Roll the cheeseball in the remaining chopped walnuts. Place the cheeseball into the fridge again for at least 15 minutes or until ready to serve.
While the cheeseball is in the fridge, make the crispy baguette. Preheat the oven to 375F. Using a bread knife, slice the baguette into 1-inch thick slices. Brush the baguette slices with olive oil on one side and place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Toast for 10 minutes total, flipping halfway through. Set aside.
Serve the cheeseball with crispy baguette and garnish the plate with seasonal fruit like figs and apples.

For the spicy apple margarita

To make one cocktail: On a small plate, stir together jalapeno salt and pinch of cinnamon. Wet the outer edge of the cocktail glass using the wedge of lime, then press it into the jalapeno salt and cinnamon mixture.
To a cocktail shaker add Ritual Zero Proof Tequila Alternative, apple cider and orange juice - shake well to combine. Pour into a rimmed glass filled will ice. Garnish with thinly sliced apple and enjoy!

Video

Notes

To make the cheeseball ahead of time, complete all the steps EXCEPT DO NOT ROLL IN THE WALNUTS. Tightly wrap the formed cheeseball in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil - it helps to keep the shape and store in the fridge for up to 3 days.

When ready to serve, remove from the fridge about 20 minutes before serving, roll in the chopped walnuts and then serve.

Other delicious serving options: crackers, pita, vegetables, bagel chips or pretzels.

Don't want to use honey in the cheeseball? Substitute with maple syrup.

Nutrition