Cheese Ball with DIY Ranch Seasoning
It’s December. Has it sunk in yet? It hasn’t quite for me. The tree is up, lights are lit, and I’m doing a Christmas Light Scavenger Hunt with my best friend (which is actually super fun, by the way), but I haven’t fully realized that the holidays are in fact right around the corner.
And with the holidays come the holiday parties. And suddenly it’s a couple days before and UGH do I really feel like making a casserole or rolling 50 franks in a blanket for the office potluck? No. Not really. Today’s recipe is much simpler and will satisfy everyone. So if you’re stuck in between wanting to do more than pick up pre-made dessert at the store and slaving over the stove all day, I think this cheese ball is perfect for you.
As as added bonus, you’ll get this extremely versatile DIY Ranch Seasoning recipe for freeeee!
Oy, that hurt my soul. But really, because the recipe below will make more ranch mix than you’ll be putting into the cheese ball you can use the leftovers in anything you would otherwise use a store bought packet.
And I’m not about to get into the MSG argument, but using a homemade version is especially important if you’re trying to avoid it, as most commercial packets contain MSG.
So more than just being really stinking good, this recipe always signals the start of the holidays for me. My mother used to make it only twice a year, Easter and Christmas, which made it all the more special.
If your kids are old enough, invite them into the kitchen for this one and serve it every year. Perhaps it will start a lifelong tradition and even a love of cooking, as it did for me.
Happy December folks, and HAPPY COOKING!
Until next time. X
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Items used in this recipe:
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Festive Cheese Ball with DIY Ranch Seasoning
- Total Time: 10 minutes
Ingredients
For the Ranch Seasoning:
- 1/2 c. dry buttermilk powder
- 3 TB dried parsley
- 1 TB dried minced onion
- 1 TB garlic powder
- 1 TB onion powder
- 2 1/4 tsp. dried dill weed
- 1/2 TB dried chives
- 1/2 TB ground black pepper
- 1/2 TB kosher salt
For the Cheese Ball:
- 2 TB ranch seasoning mixture
- 24 oz. cream cheese (3–8 oz packages)
- 2 c. pecans, chopped
Instructions
For the Ranch Seasoning:
- Combine all of the ingredients in a small bowl, mixing thoroughly.
- Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
For the Cheese Ball:
- Mix 2 TB of the ranch mixture with the cream cheese, using a fork or your hands to combine. Shape into a large, flat oval.
- Spread the chopped pecans on a work surface and roll the cheese ball in it, covering every side and pressing the pecans in slightly to adhere.
- Serve immediately with crackers or store wrapped tightly in plastic in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Notes
3 TB of the dry seasoning = 1 packet storebought
For ranch dressing, Combine 3 TB of the seasoning, 1 c. milk and 1 c. mayonnaise, sour cream or greek yogurt.
Prepared cheese ball can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.
Ranch seasoning can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
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