Summery Sweet Cheese Ball Recipe

Are we doing cheese balls anymore? I want to, but if that's not fashionable, we could call this a spread. Whatever you call it, call it to your next gathering as it works for brunch to BBQs.

I originally shared this recipe in partnership with Clock Shadow Creamery, but it looks like that business is no longer for those of us out of the restaurant game. But do not fret! If you don’t have access to quark cheese, you can make this dish with goat, feta, or simple cream cheese. Happy eating!

Summery Sweet Cheese Ball

Ingredients

• 8 oz soft cheese (goat, feta, cream cheese, or quark)

• 1 lemon, zested¹

• 3 tbsp jam or preserves

• 1 tsp Italian seasoning

• ½ tsp salt

• Pretzels, crackers, or fruit for serving

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. (If you allowed the cheese some time out of the fridge, you might be able to do this in a bowl with a wooden spoon. If not, use a mixer.)

2. If you’d like to form the spread into a ball, spoon out on to a large piece of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to form it into a ball, then wrap tightly. Alternatively, just spoon into your serving dish and cover. Either way allow at least 30 minutes in the fridge for flavors to mingle.

3. Serve with your favorite pretzels, crackers, or fruit.

Notes

This dip also makes a great spread for sandwiches! Try with turkey and arugula on whole grain bread.

1. We are just using the zest of this lemon unless your spread is a little dry. Then use the juice in teaspoon increments to help make the dip easier to work with.