Description
This Easy Hedgehog Cheeseball with Almonds is a fun and festive appetizer perfect for parties. Shaped like a hedgehog and decorated with slivered almonds, it’s as cute as it is delicious.
Ingredients
- 2 cups cream cheese (16 oz or 2 bricks), softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese (4 oz)
- ½ cup bacon bits
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix (or 1 packet, 1 oz)
- ½ cup canned black olives, chopped or sliced
- 2 tablespoons chives, finely sliced
- ¾ cup slivered almonds (adjust as needed)
- 5 dashes each Tobasco and Worcestershire sauce
- Salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese, cheddar cheese, bacon bits, Tobasco, Worcestershire, ranch mix, chives, and olives (reserve one olive for eyes and nose) and blend until well combined.
- Taste and season lightly with salt, pepper, Worcestershire, hot sauce, or up to 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Stir well.
- Transfer mixture to a large piece of plastic wrap, shape into an oval, flatten one end and taper the other into a point.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (up to 3 days). Chilling overnight is ideal.
- The day of serving, stud cheeseball with slivered almonds starting from the flat end, offsetting rows for a natural look.
- Cut three small circles from the reserved olive and arrange as eyes and nose.
- Transfer to serving plate and garnish with edible greenery. Serve with crackers or veggie sticks.
Notes
- Don’t worry about making the hedgehog shape perfect — it can be smoothed after chilling.
- Adjust seasoning to taste after mixing.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American