Party Cheese Ball

A festive and colorful party cheese ball made with cream cheese, chopped Maraschino cherries, crushed pineapple and toasted walnuts.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (about 14) maraschino cherries
• 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 (8-ounce) can crushed pineapple, well drained
• 1 cup walnuts, chopped
• Crackers or cut-up vegetables

Instructions

1. Drain maraschino cherries on paper towels.
2. Chop cherries and drain again.
3. Beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed 3 to 4 minutes, or until cream cheese is smooth.
4. Stir in pineapple and cherries.
5. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour.
6. Shape cheese mixture into two (4-inch) balls.
7. Roll cheese balls in walnuts, pressing nuts into surface to adhere.
8. Refrigerate about 1 hour or until chilled.
9. Serve as a spread with crackers or vegetables.

Yield: 2 (4-inch) cheese balls

Tip: You can prepare this appetizer in advance, then freeze it for later use. Allow cheese balls to thaw in refrigerator before serving.

Recipe and photo credit:National Cherry Growers Foundation.