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National Cheeseball Day

Food · April 17

A day for the cheese ball, the round party spread of soft cheese rolled in nuts or herbs and served with crackers.

National Cheeseball Day falls on Saturday, April 17, 2027. That is 172 days away.

A cheese ball is a sphere of soft cheese, usually cream cheese mixed with something sharper like cheddar, shaped by hand and rolled in a coating. Chopped nuts are the classic choice. Herbs, crumbled bacon or a dusting of paprika show up too.

It sits on a plate surrounded by crackers, and people break into it with a small knife or simply drag a cracker through. The first cut is always the hardest. After that, the ball loses its shape quickly and nobody minds.

Making one at home takes little skill. The cheese is softened, stirred together with seasonings such as garlic, onion or a little Worcestershire sauce, then chilled until firm enough to shape. Plastic wrap helps with the rolling and keeps hands clean. A few hours in the refrigerator lets the flavors settle and the coating stick.

The format invites tinkering. Some cooks fold in dried fruit and roll the ball in pecans for something sweeter. Others go savory with blue cheese and chives. Small versions, about the size of a walnut, can be served on pretzel sticks so each guest gets their own.

A cheese ball firms up again if it goes back in the cold, so leftovers keep their shape for a day or two, wrapped and ready for the next box of crackers.

Ways to celebrate

• Mix cream cheese and cheddar, then roll it in chopped nuts.
• Try a sweet version with dried cranberries and pecans.
• Shape tiny cheese balls and serve them on pretzel sticks.
• Share a cheese ball and crackers with neighbors or coworkers.
• Experiment with a new coating like fresh herbs or paprika.

Dates

All national days on April 17

Also on April 17

• Bat Appreciation Day
• National Crawfish Day
• National Haiku Poetry Day
• Record Store Day
• Blah Blah Blah Day
• National Kickball Day

Categories: Food days