The new year is nearly upon us and it is time to gear up for another couple of days of fun. Cheese balls are so simple and can be made a day or two ahead of time. In fact, they taste better if you make them a couple of days before.

The hardest part about a cheese ball is not eating it all! I hope you all have a Happy New Year — may 2018 be good to you all. Enjoy!

Smoked Gouda Cheese Ball

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

1 1/2 cups smoked Gouda, grated

1/4-1/2 teaspoon black pepper, to taste

1 tablespoon bacon crumbles

1/2 teaspoon minced chives

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

1 cup bacon crumbles or chopped pecans, to roll ball in

In a bowl using a hand mixer, beat first six ingredients until smooth. Wrap in plastic, shape into a ball. Refrigerate overnight. 

When ready to serve, gently unwrap the cheese ball and place it on a bed of bacon or pecans or a mixture of both and roll the ball to coat completely. Serve with a variety of crackers.

Dilly Cheese Ball

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

1 cup dill pickles, finely chopped

1/4 cup grated onion

1 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

sliced almonds

In a bowl using a hand mixer, beat first six ingredients until smooth. Wrap in plastic, shape into a ball. Refrigerate overnight. Roll in almond slices until completely coated. Serve with a variety of crackers.

Green Onion Cheese Ball

2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, at room temperature

2 green onions, sliced

1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

2 tablespoons milk

1 tablespoon sour cream

a few dashes of salt

Sliced almonds or pecans

In a bowl using a hand mixer, beat first 8 ingredients until smooth. Wrap in plastic, shape into a ball. Refrigerate overnight. Roll in almond slices or chopped pecans until completely coated. Serve with a variety of crackers or pretzels.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, at room temperature

1/2 cup butter, softened

1/4 teaspoon vanilla

3/4 cup powdered sugar

2 tablespoons brown sugar

3/4 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

3/4 cup coarsely chopped graham crackers or pecans

Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla until smooth; beat in sugars just until blended. Stir in chocolate chops. Refrigerate, covered, until firm enough to shape (about two hours). To serve, roll cheese ball in graham crackers or pecans. Serve with graham crackers or Nilla Wafers.