Zesty Peppery Sweet Blue Cheese and Date Spread or Balls
Elevate your appetizer game with this Zesty Peppery Sweet Blue Cheese and Date Spread or Balls—a delightful fusion of bold and balanced flavors that’s sure to impress! This no-cook recipe combines the creamy richness of blue cheese and cream cheese with the natural sweetness of finely chopped dates, a touch of honey, and the citrusy brightness of freshly grated orange zest. A hint of freshly ground black pepper adds just the right amount of spice to balance the sweetness. Prepare it as a smooth, indulgent spread for herbed crackers or crostini, or roll it into bite-sized cheese balls coated in crunchy chopped walnuts or pecans for an elegant presentation. Perfect for holiday gatherings, cocktail parties, or as a sophisticated snack, this versatile dish is ready in just 15 minutes. Bursting with sweet, savory, and tangy notes, it’s the ultimate crowd-pleaser!
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Ingredients
- 120 grams blue cheese, crumbled
- 120 grams cream cheese, softened
- 100 grams pitted dates, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon orange zest, freshly grated
- 0.5 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 2 teaspoons honey
- 50 grams chopped walnuts or pecans (optional, for coating or garnish)
- 1 package herbed crackers or crostini (for serving)
Directions
Step 1
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the crumbled blue cheese and softened cream cheese. Use a fork or hand mixer to blend until smooth and well incorporated.
Step 2
Gently fold in the chopped dates, orange zest, freshly ground black pepper, and honey. Mix until evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture.
Step 3
Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more pepper or honey to suit your preference.
Step 4
To serve as a spread: Transfer the mixture to a serving bowl and smooth the top with a spatula. Garnish with a sprinkle of additional orange zest or chopped nuts, if desired, and serve with herbed crackers or crostini.
Step 5
To serve as cheese balls: Chill the mixture in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes until firm. Scoop tablespoon-sized portions and roll them into balls with your hands. If desired, roll each ball in chopped walnuts or pecans to coat the exterior.
Step 6
Place the cheese balls on a platter and chill until ready to serve. Accompany with crackers or crostini for eating.
Step 7
Enjoy this rich, sweet, and savory treat at parties, holiday gatherings, or as an everyday indulgence!
Nutrition Facts
| Serving size | (437.6g) |
|---|
| Amount per serving | % Daily Value* |
|---|---|
| Calories | 1648.4 |
| Total Fat 115.6g | 0% |
| Saturated Fat 50.8g | 0% |
| Cholesterol 222.9mg | 0% |
| Sodium 2221.3mg | 0% |
| Total Carbohydrate 125.9g | 0% |
| Dietary Fiber 11.6g | 0% |
| Total Sugars 84.6g | |
| Protein 45.1g | 0% |
| Vitamin D 25.7IU | 0% |
| Calcium 895.4mg | 0% |
| Iron 4.5mg | 0% |
| Potassium 1408.6mg | 0% |
Source of Calories