Pin This A festive, bite-sized appetizer featuring creamy cheeses, fresh herbs, and a touch of Champagne, shaped to resemble champagne corks perfect for celebrations and parties.
This recipe quickly became a holiday favorite in my family because it's easy to make and always disappears fast at gatherings.
Ingredients
- Cheeses: 200 g cream cheese, softened, 100 g goat cheese, softened, 50 g grated Parmesan cheese
- Flavorings: 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh chives, 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley, 1 tbsp Champagne or sparkling wine, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ¼ tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp lemon zest, Salt to taste
- Coating: 75 g crushed toasted walnuts (or pecans), 2 tbsp finely chopped fresh herbs (parsley, chives, dill), mixed
- Decoration: 20 thin pretzel sticks or mini breadsticks
Instructions
- Step 1:
- In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, goat cheese, and Parmesan. Beat until smooth and creamy.
- Step 2:
- Stir in chives, parsley, Champagne, black pepper, garlic powder, lemon zest, and salt. Mix thoroughly.
- Step 3:
- Chill the cheese mixture for 15–20 minutes to firm up, making shaping easier.
- Step 4:
- In a shallow dish, mix the crushed walnuts and chopped herbs for the coating.
- Step 5:
- Scoop out tablespoon-sized portions of the chilled cheese mixture and shape each into a small cylinder, resembling a Champagne cork.
- Step 6:
- Roll each cheese ball in the walnut-herb coating to cover completely.
- Step 7:
- Insert a pretzel stick or mini breadstick vertically into the top of each cheese ball as the cork stem.
- Step 8:
- Arrange on a platter and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Pin This Our family enjoys these cheese balls at every holiday party and they always bring back warm memories and plenty of compliments.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, electric mixer or sturdy spoon, shallow dish (for coating), measuring spoons, serving platter
Allergen Information
Contains Milk, Tree Nuts (walnuts or pecans), Gluten (if using regular pretzel sticks or breadsticks). Use gluten-free breadsticks or pretzels and check cheese labels to make gluten-free.
Nutritional Information
Per cheese ball: Calories 85, Total Fat 7 g, Carbohydrates 2 g, Protein 3 g
Pin This These cheese balls make any celebration feel special and are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
Recipe FAQ
- → What cheeses are used in these cheese balls?
The cheese balls include cream cheese, goat cheese, and grated Parmesan for a balanced creamy and tangy profile.
- → How do I shape the cheese balls into cork-like forms?
After chilling the mixture to firm up, scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into small cylinders resembling Champagne corks.
- → Can I substitute the nut coating?
Yes, crushed gluten-free crackers or toasted seeds work well for a nut-free alternative to the walnut coating.
- → What is the purpose of pretzel sticks in this dish?
Pretzel sticks serve as the cork stems when inserted vertically, enhancing the visual appeal and adding a crunchy element.
- → Is this suitable for gluten-free diets?
Use gluten-free breadsticks or pretzels and ensure cheese labels confirm no gluten to adapt this dish accordingly.
- → How should these cheese balls be served?
Arrange the cheese balls on a platter and refrigerate until ready to serve to maintain their shape and freshness.