Easy Hedgehog Cheeseball With Almonds – A Fun & Festive Party Appetizer

Bring a whimsical touch to your party table with this Easy Hedgehog Cheeseball! Covered in crunchy almonds and decorated with cute olive eyes and nose, this appetizer is as fun to look at as it is to eat.

Packed with cream cheese, cheddar, bacon, and savory seasonings, this cheese ball is creamy, flavorful, and perfect for holiday parties, game nights, or family gatherings. It’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser, both in taste and presentation.

❤️ Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Festive & playful: The hedgehog shape adds a cute, memorable touch.
• Make-ahead friendly: Chill overnight to allow flavors to meld.
• Customizable: Adjust the heat or toppings to your preference.
• Perfect with dippers: Pairs well with crackers, veggie sticks, or sliced bread.

🧾 Ingredients

Cheese Ball Mixture:

• 2 cups cream cheese (16 oz or 2 bricks), softened
• 1 cup cheddar cheese, shredded (4 oz)
• ½ cup bacon bits (use halal beef bacon if desired)
• 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix (or 1 packet, 1 oz)
• ½ cup canned black olives, chopped or sliced (reserve 1 olive for eyes and nose)
• 2 tablespoons chives, finely sliced
• 5 dashes each of Tabasco and Worcestershire sauce
• Salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste

Decoration:

• ¾ cup slivered almonds (adjust for coverage)
• Optional: rosemary, dill, or chives for garnish

⏱️ Prep Time

• Prep Time: 35 minutes
• Inactive Time / Chilling: 1–24 hours
• Total Time: 35 minutes active prep, plus chilling
  Servings: 15
  Calories: 187 kcal per serving

👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Mix the Cheese Base

In a large mixing bowl, combine:

• Cream cheese
• Shredded cheddar
• Bacon bits
• Tabasco
• Worcestershire sauce
• Ranch dressing mix
• Chives
• Chopped olives (reserve one olive for decoration)

Blend until smooth and fully combined.

2️⃣ Taste & Adjust Seasonings

Add salt, pepper, lemon juice, Worcestershire, or hot sauce as desired. Stir thoroughly after adding any seasoning.

3️⃣ Shape the Hedgehog

Transfer the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap (Saran wrap).

• Shape into an oval, flattening one end for the base.
• Taper the other end into a point for the nose.
  Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 1 hour, up to 3 days. Overnight chilling enhances flavor.

4️⃣ Decorate With Almonds

• Place the chilled cheese ball on a serving plate.
• Starting at the flat end, insert slivered almonds in rows, working toward the tapered end.
• Offset each row to give a natural, layered look.

5️⃣ Add Eyes and Nose

• Using the reserved olive, cut three small circles (or use a decorating tip).
• Place them on the tapered end as the eyes and nose.

6️⃣ Garnish & Serve

• Optional: Surround with rosemary, dill, or chives for “greenery.”
• Serve with crackers, bread, or veggie sticks for dipping.

💡 Tips & Variations

• Shaping tip: Don’t worry if your hedgehog isn’t perfect initially — chilling helps smooth out the shape.
• Make-ahead: Can be prepared up to 3 days in advance.
• Spice it up: Add extra Tabasco or Worcestershire for a more pronounced flavor.
• Nut alternatives: Pecans or sliced almonds can be used instead of slivered almonds.

🧮 Nutrition (Per Serving)

Calories	187 kcal
Carbohydrates	7g
Protein	7g
Fat	15g
Saturated Fat	6g
Polyunsaturated Fat	2g
Monounsaturated Fat	3g
Trans Fat	0.001g
Cholesterol	26mg
Sodium	551mg
Potassium	56mg
Fiber	1g
Sugar	1g
Vitamin A	398 IU
Vitamin C	0.4 mg
Calcium	113 mg
Iron	0.3 mg

🎉 Final Thoughts

This Easy Hedgehog Cheeseball is not just an appetizer; it’s a conversation starter! Creamy, savory, and playfully decorated, it’s perfect for holiday tables, birthday parties, or any festive gathering.

Your guests will love its fun presentation, and the creamy cheese mixture with crispy bacon and crunchy almonds makes every bite irresistible. 🦔

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