10 Minute Heart Shaped Cheese Ball Recipe
This delightful 10 Minute Heart Shaped Cheese Ball is a perfect appetizer for gatherings. Combining creamy cream cheese with a flavorful coating of sundried tomatoes, olives, dried cranberries, apricots, almonds, and aromatic herbs, it offers a delicious blend of savory and sweet in a charming heart shape. Quick to assemble and visually appealing, it pairs beautifully with crackers or soft bread.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cheese Ball
- 2 rounds of cream cheese or Boursin (approximately 14oz / 400g total)
Topping
- 1/2 cup sundried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/4 cup olives, finely chopped (preferably Kalamata)
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried apricots, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon crushed almonds
- 1 teaspoon chilli flakes
- A handful of thyme and oregano leaves
Instructions
- Form the cheese heart: Lay a piece of clingfilm on your kitchen counter. Stack the two rounds of cream cheese or Boursin on top of each other in the middle. Wrap them tightly with the clingfilm and shape the cheese into a rough heart shape using your hands. It doesn't need to be perfect. Place it in the fridge to firm up slightly while preparing the topping.
- Prepare the topping: In a plate or bowl that can accommodate the cheese heart, combine the chopped sundried tomatoes, olives, dried cranberries, dried apricots, crushed almonds, chilli flakes, and the fresh thyme and oregano leaves. Mix well to combine all the flavors evenly.
- Coat the cheese heart: Remove the cheese heart from the fridge and unwrap it carefully. Press the cheese heart firmly into the topping mixture, ensuring the coating sticks all over the sides and surfaces. Flip it over to coat the entire heart and fill in any gaps with additional topping. Transfer the coated cheese ball to a serving plate.
- Serve and enjoy: Serve your heart-shaped cheese ball chilled or at room temperature with your favorite crackers or soft bread for dipping and spreading. It makes a lovely centerpiece for appetizers or a party snack.
Notes
- You can substitute the cream cheese with Boursin or any soft herbed cheese for a different flavor profile.
- Make sure the topping ingredients are finely chopped so they adhere well to the cheese ball.
- Chilling the shaped cheese before coating helps the topping stick better and keeps the shape intact.
- Feel free to customize the herbs and dried fruits to your preference or seasonal availability.
- This cheese ball is best served within a day or two for freshness.