Easy Cheese Ball with Walnuts

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This easy cheese ball recipe with walnuts, dates, and parsley will become your go-to holiday appetizer. Make-ahead friendly and kid-approved, this fun and festive centerpiece is the ultimate crowd-pleaser.

Prep Time20

Total Time20

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American

Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free

Servings: to 12

Author: Jamie Vespa MS, RD

Equipment

Large Mixing Bowl
Plastic wrap

Ingredients

1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened
1 (4-oz.) log goat cheese, softened
3 pitted Medjool dates, finely chopped
1 tsp. lemon zest
1/4 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 cup toasted walnuts, finely chopped
2 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
Optional garnish: pomegranate arils
For serving: assorted crackers, pear and/or apple slices

Instructions

Combine first 5 ingredients (cream cheese through salt) in a large bowl. Use a sturdy spatula to mix all ingredients until well combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and bring the mixture together, forming it into a ball as best you can.
Empty cheese ball out onto a large sheet of plastic wrap. Cover the cheese ball tightly with plastic wrap, shaping further into a ball. Chill 3 to 4 hours (or overnight), until firm.
Combine parsley and walnuts on a large plate, tossing to mix. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll in the mixture to evenly coat
To serve, let the cheese ball sit out at room temperature for 15 to 20 minutes to slightly soften up. Place on a serving plate and garnish with pomegranate arils, if desired. Serve with crackers, slices of apple or pear, and/or crostini.

Notes

To Make Ahead: You can prepare the cheese ball up to 4 days ahead of time. Keep tightly wrapped until ready to garnish and serve.
To Freeze: Wrap cheese ball in a layer of plastic wrap and then a layer of aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw, still wrapped, in the refrigerator overnight or until ready to garnish and serve.

Nutrition