Cheese Balls and Cream Cheese Dips

Softened cream cheese is easily transformed into a variety of dips and cheese balls to be served with fruit, vegetables, crackers, chips and party breads.

The common ingredient in all of these dips and cheese balls is cream cheese, that delicious, soft cheese in the foil wrapper in the silver box. It was introduced in New York in 1872 by dairyman William Lawrence. Eight years later it was trademarked “Philadelphia,” a bow to the city that, at that time, was considered the home of top quality food. The maker of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, the Phenix Cheese Company, merged with Kraft in 1928. Since that time, other cheese companies have produced and marketed their own versions of cream cheese.

Cream cheese is a fresh, unripened cheese made of cow’s milk. Because it is “unaged” it has a shorter shelf life than harder cheeses. It usually has added emulsifiers for firmness. USDA requires that it consist of at least 33 percent fat and no more than 55 percent water for the regular variety. Its soft creaminess lends it to beaten-in additions like fruit and vegetables, and to molding into cheese balls.

Lower calorie versions of all of these recipes can be made by substituting a low-fat or “light” version of cream cheese

Caramel Cream Cheese Fruit Dip

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• Fruit for dipping

1. In a small bowl beat softened cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth.
2. Blend in brown sugar and vanilla.
3. Serve in a dipping bowl with sliced fruit. Granny Smith apples and Bosc pears are especially good dippers.

Amaretto Cheese Ball

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup Amaretto
• 3 ounce package slivered almonds, toasted
• Fruit

1. In a small bowl beat together softened cream cheese and Amaretto.
2. Form into ball and stud with almonds porcupine fashion.
3. Chill. This is delicious served for afternoon tea or as a dessert with sliced apples and pears, and grapes.

Pineapple Cheese Ball

• 2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 8.5-ounce can crushed pineapple, drained
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/4 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 2 tablespoons chopped onion
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt

1. Beat cream cheese.
2. Gradually stir in pineapple, green bell pepper, onion and seasoned salt.
3. Form into a ball, covering with plastic wrap.
4. Chill for an hour. Unwrap and roll in chopped pecans. Serve with crackers or party bread.

Quick Dip

• Cream Cheese
• Salsa

Unwrap a block of cream cheese and set on a serving plate. Pour chunky salsa over cheese. Serve with chips and crackers.

For more appetizer recipes, see these Appetizers for Super Bowl Parties.

salsa and cream cheese

Print Article

Email Article

View All Articles

How to subscribe to feeds