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’m all about the snacks for the game too. This would be a heat at my house.
Perfect for game day! Cheese balls are so fun!
Hmmm, would never have thought about putting cherry jam inside. Great idea! Sounds delicious!
This is the best idea for a cheese ball I have seen yet!
Love the pop of sweetness from the cherry jam! A fantastic appetizer for game day!
I’m a sucker for smokehouse almonds, I’d want to eat this whole cheeseball! The goat cheese was a great sub, and love the slight sweet/tart of cherries in there. Another must make for me.
Those smokehouse almonds are my favorite! I bet the cheese ball was amazing!
What an awesome appetizer! I am so making it this weekend.
Enjoy!
Oh I love Smokehouse Almonds! I love how you used them in this cheeseball.
Love this, classic with a twist of those Smokehouse almonds!
I adore Blue Diamond Smokehouse Almonds. My husband and I race to get the last ones every time, so I am imagining that cheese ball is pretty amazing.
Well, we’re Bears fans, so imagine how we feel. HAHA
I’d need a few of these amazing cheese balls to get over it! 😉
You can’t beat a good cheese ball. Evah.
Cheeseball-yes, please! Love this recipe, especially the smokehouse nuts in it.
Looks like the perfect game day snack! Loving that this has blue cheese in it!
It actually doesn’t have blue cheese – but it has lots of goat cheese 🙂
My mistake. Goat cheese and Cherry jam sounds even better!
I love those smokehouse almonds! and cheese balls! And cherries! To heck with football, I say this recipe wins the Superbowl. 🙂
I love a good cheese ball! Yours looks great
This is my kind of cheese ball!! Yummmm!