Olive Cheese Balls
2 C shredded cheddar cheese
1 1/4 C flour
1/2 C butter, melted
36 small pimento olives (well drained, blotted dry)
Mix cheese and flour; mix in melted butter, slightly cooled. Mold about 1 tsp. dough around each olive. Shape into ball. Place 2” apart on ungreased cookie sheet. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hr. Bake at 400 degrees until set, about 15-20 min.
That sound like something I would enjoy.
Children love to make their own treats and after school snacks and cream cheese is one of those great foods that can easily make bite size snacks kids can make themselves. My children used to make these with me in the kitchen as appetizers and finger foods for holiday gatherings, game day parties, after school snacks, etc.
Using softened cream cheese mixed with one or more of the following ingredients, roll into balls (so the children can play with the food). These combinations also make great spreads to serve with crackers if you don’t want to roll it into balls. The finished balls can be rolled in other ingredients as well for a pretty presentation, so I will list some of our favorites below.
Ingredients for combining with the cream cheese (use one or more)
Black olives, green olives, stuffed olives, or just about any kind of olive or even an olive tapinade as long as it is drained of any excess liquid.
Diced pimentos, or any finely diced peppers (jalepenos are great for a spicy version)
Any thinly sliced and chopped lunch meat
Any kind of shredded cheese
Any kind of pickles finly chopped and drained of extra juice.
Crumbled Bacon
Vegetables such as finely chopped celery, carrots, onion or even zucchini
Pickled vegetables finely chopped and drained of excess liquid
Ideas for rolling the balls:
Sessame seeds
Chopped nuts
Crushed crackers
Crushed pork rinds
Crushed potato or tortilla chips
Crushed dry cereal (not sweet ones but Corn flakes and cheerios and chex work well)
Finely chopped herbs such as parsley, dill, or basil or a combination of your favorite fresh herbs
“Olive Cheese Balls”
Wondering what kind of critter these come from?
I am just now reading the thread - are these good at room temp? My elderly mom is going to a potluck dinner soon and this is something simple she could make.