Save 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 is a delightful recipe I first made for holiday parties and it always impresses guests with its unique presentation and delicious taste.
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
Save My family loves sharing these cheese balls during celebrations making every occasion more special.
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) To make gluten-free use gluten-free breadsticks pretzels and check cheese labels
Nutritional Information
Calories 85 Total Fat 7 g Carbohydrates 2 g Protein 3 g per cheese ball
Save These cheese balls are perfect for any celebration and offer a sophisticated touch with minimal effort.
Recipe Guide
- → What cheeses are used in this dish?
Cream cheese, goat cheese, and grated Parmesan combine to create a smooth and flavorful base.
- → Can I replace the walnuts for a nut-free option?
Yes, crushed gluten-free crackers or toasted seeds make excellent alternatives for the coating.
- → How do I shape the cheese balls?
Chill the cheese mixture until firm, then scoop and shape into small cylinders resembling champagne corks before coating.
- → What is the purpose of the pretzel or breadstick?
They serve as a decorative stem, enhancing the cheese balls’ resemblance to actual champagne corks.
- → Are these suitable for gluten-free diets?
When using gluten-free breadsticks or pretzels, and ensuring all ingredients are gluten-free, this dish can accommodate gluten-free needs.