This is not your nana’s cheese ball. Bacon, aged cheddar and our Organic Smoked Spanish Pimenton Almonds elevate this popular holiday appetizer to new heights. This is a quick and easy recipe that can be made in advance. Be sure to allow a few hours to firm the cheese ball before serving.
Smoked Pimenton, Bacon & Cheddar Cheese Ball
Recipe by the Clif Family Culinary Team
INGREDIENTS:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 3 oz aged cheddar cheese, shredded
- 4 slices bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 Tbsp fresh red pepper, diced
- ½ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 cup Clif Family Organic Smoked Spanish Pimenton Almonds, chopped
DIRECTIONS:
- Spread softened cream cheese into a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle on the shredded cheese, crumbled bacon, diced red pepper, salt, Worcestershire and lemon juice.
- With a sturdy spatula mix ingredients until well blended. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed, adding salt to taste.
- To achieve a higher nut-to-cheese mixture ratio we prefer to make 3 varying size cheese balls instead of one large one.
- Scrape the mixture into small plastic wrap-lined round bowls; gather up plastic around cheese, shaping into balls.
- Chill until firm, 3-12 hours.
- Just before serving, unwrap cheese ball and roll in chopped Clif Family Organic Smoked Spanish Pimenton Almonds until covered.
- Serve with crostini.
Pairing Suggestion: We recommend enjoying this dip with our 2022 Gary’s Improv Zinfandel. The wine’s vibrant fruit profile and touch of spice are the perfect match for the "sweet and heat" of the pimenton almonds and the richness of the aged cheddar.
