Smokehouse almonds and cherry jam come together in this cheese ball to make for a smoky creamy appetizer that is perfect for serving on game day.
This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. Thanks for supporting the brands that make Savvy Eats possible.
It’s the last big football game of the season on Sunday! My Wisconsin native husband is a Packers fan, and their last game was… crushing, to say the least. So we’re not particularly rooting for either team this weekend. We’ll just be tuning in for some football. And lots of snacks. Who doesn’t love a good excuse for lots of tasty snacks?
This game changing snack is based off of a family recipe. Growing up, no potluck or buffet with my mom’s side of the family was complete without a dose of Gramma’s cheese ball recipe. Packed with blue cheese, cheddar, cream cheese, pecans and Worcestershire sauce, we served it with a boatload of crackers alongside the makings for deli sandwiches.
Here, I replaced the blue cheese with goat cheese, and mixed in just enough cherry jam to give it a little sweetness and tang. I also subbed out the pecans for some Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds, which lent a salty, smoky flavor to the cheese ball. The result is a bold creamy snack that is great for snacking on while watching the big game.
As an added bonus, it only takes 10 minutes to whip up this recipe, plus a little time in the refrigerator to firm up. That’s all that stands between you and the perfect spread for buttery crackers at this Sunday’s game!
Let’s do this:
Smokehouse almonds and cherry jam come together in this cheese ball to make for a smoky creamy appetizer that is perfect for serving on game day.
Ingredients
- 1 cup Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds, ground
- 8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 5 ounces shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces goat cheese, at room temperature
- 2 tablespoons cherry jam
Instructions
- Blend 1/2 cup of the almonds with the cream cheese, cheddar, goat cheese and cherry jam. You can do this by hand or with a food processor, though the final result will be smoother and creamier with the processor.
- Wrap the cheese in a piece of plastic wrap, shaping it into a ball as you do so. Chill for at least 1 hour.
- Roll the cheese ball in the remaining almonds. Serve immediately, or chill until ready to serve.
PS: This post is sponsored by Blue Diamond Almonds. All opinions are my own. For more Game Changing Snacks, visit Blue Diamond Almonds on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Thanks for supporting the brands that make Savvy Eats possible.
I have to admit, I don’t care much about professional football (but I will cheer on my alma mater, the Wisconsin Badgers, whenever I can!). I honestly have no idea who is playing in any given playoff game, unless my husband’s favorite team happens to be a part of it. But playoffs and the big game call for lots of snacks, and that is something I can totally get behind. I’m not going to turn down an opportunity for cheesy snacks, gooey dips and the like.
