The Blue Jay Holiday Cheese Ball

Surprise your family and friends with this decadently creamy dip that takes the classic blue cheese ball to a whole new level.

And who says cheese balls have to be round? In honor of the holidays we chose to make ours in the shape of a pine tree. Enjoy your gatherings this holiday season!

The Blue Jay Holiday Cheese Ball

What You’ll Need:

• 2 8oz packages of cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 c onions, chopped
• 1 T Worcestershire sauce
• 5.3oz wedge of The Blue Jay
• 4 T chopped walnuts, toasted
• 2 T fresh rosemary, finely chopped
• buttery crackers, like Breton Cabaret Crisp & Buttery Crackers

Directions:

1. Ahead of time – In a food processor blend the cream cheese, onions, Worcestershire sauce, and The Blue Jay until creamy. Place the cheese mixture into a bowl. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it overnight.
2. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Place the walnuts in a shallow baking dish and roast them for 5 – 7 minutes until the nuts are toasted. Let cool.
3. For the topping, toss the chopped rosemary with the cooled nuts. Set the topping mixture aside.
4. Remove the cheese spread from the refrigerator. You can either place it in a pretty bowl to serve it as a spread or form it into a desired shape. We placed our spread about one inch in thickness on parchment paper. We then used an extra large cookie cutter and a rounded knife to help design the shape. Invert the cheese ball/parchment onto a serving platter. Using a knife, carefully peal the parchment from the cheese ball.
5. Sprinkle the rosemary and nut mixture over the cheese ball, pressing it in lightly. Serve immediately or refrigerate covered for up to 24 hours.
6. Serve with buttery crackers.