When you enter a holiday potluck carrying a basket studded with savory lollipops, people pause their conversations to check out what you’ve got there. At least that’s what happened when I brought these Cheese Ball Pops.
The idea of converting the cheese log recipe I posted a few years ago into bite-sized lollipops came to mind after I saw a Goat Cheese Pops with Herbs, Pecans and Bacon appetizer on Mom It Forward. While I was at the grocery store, collecting all of the ingredients to make the goat cheese pops for the potluck, I realized that way you make the pops is remarkably similar to the old familiar cheese log…except it’s on a stick.
So I went back to that cheese log recipe. Instead of rolling the cheese and honey mixture into a log I just rolled them into little balls. I made them a little on the small side (think Dum Dums rather than Blow Pops) so they could neatly be consumed in a single sweet and savory bite. People really went for these – they thought it was a fun spin on the traditional appetizer. I’m sharing the recipe and rolling technique that I used but I’ll bet you could easily adapt almost any cheese log recipe into pops. Give it a try!
Cheese Ball Pops
Adapted from the Cheese Log recipe from the side of a Lucerne Reduced Fat Milk carton and inspired by Mom It Forward and The Kitchn
Prep time: 20 minutes | Cook time: 0 minutes | Total time: 20 minutes
Yield: 16 pops
INGREDIENTS:
- 1/2 cup finely chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup finely chopped dried cranberries
- 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese, at room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1 cup Swiss cheese, shredded
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 16 lollipop sticks
DIRECTIONS:
- Combine the pecans and cranberries in a shallow dish.
- Mix the cream cheese, feta, Swiss and honey in a food processor until it’s combined. Measure out the cheese mixture a tablespoon at a time and roll each spoonful into a ball with the palms of your hands. Then roll each ball into the pecan-cranberry mixture, coating all sides evenly. Place each ball on a tray lined with parchment or waxed paper. Insert a lollipop stick into the center of each ball. Carefully cover the tray in plastic wrap and transfer it to the refrigerator to chill for at least one hour.
- Remove the tray from refrigerator 15 minutes before serving.
- OPTIONAL: If you’d like to display the cheese log balls in an upright position, you can do so using a block of styrofoam (found at craft stores) to hold the lollipop sticks in place.
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Such a great idea and I love all the cheeses you’ve put in them.
Sylvie @ Gourmande in the Kitchen´s last blog post ..Pear Almond Clafoutis (or is it a Flognarde?) | Gluten-Free and Grain-Free
Lovely presentation! What’s more fun than food on a stick?
Lydia (The Perfect Pantry)´s last blog post ..Chocolate chocolate chip waffles recipe
Darling idea for a holiday party. Love it!
Lori @ RecipeGirl´s last blog post ..Butterfinger Truffles
Wow wow wow. This is a genius idea!!
Lauren´s last blog post ..Mini Mint Truffle Brownie Bites
ok you win most creative recipe girl!
excellent idea for the holidays
These look so beautiful and festive!
Angie @ Bigbearswife´s last blog post ..Pork Chops with Maple-Ginger Pan Sauce
Yum, these look so tasty! Totally perfect for a holiday party.
sara´s last blog post ..Spicy Pumpkin Wontons
What a fun idea for cheese balls! Love it.
naomi´s last blog post ..Peppermint Mocha Jello Shot
Great idea! It’s the first time I see a “pop” appetizer – so cute! Happy and yummy 2012 to you, Kathy!