Old English Cheese Ball
Did you grow up making this Old English cheese ball over the holidays? My family has made this recipe for years. Certainly, your family will love this appetizer as much as my family has! Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been focused on writing posts that outline some fun foods to enjoy with friends and family.
Cheese balls have been on my mind a lot as I contemplate what I should fix for the holidays. This recipe calls for cream cheese with Old English cheese spread combined with green onions, Worcestershire Sauce, and some garlic powder. It’s super easy to make in 30 minutes or less.
If you love appetizers, this special cheese ball is for you! You can take it to your next holiday get-together or New Year’s Day party! You don’t need any special occasion to gather and enjoy quality food offerings. Bring on the football games, right?
I really enjoy parties where the hostess or host has a table full of finger foods, and this cheese ball is considered just that!
My Other Cheese Ball Recipes
Items You May Need In The Kitchen
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- A Good Knife
- Cutting Board
- Spatula
- Measuring Spoons
Ingredients
- Cream Cheese: A soft and smooth, mild-tasting cheese made from milk and cream which contains protein and calcium.
- Garlic Powder: A spice created from dehydrated garlic. It is used to enhance the other flavors of the ingredients in the recipe.
- Old English Cheese Spread: A savory sharp pasteurized process cheese spread which is tangy in flavor. It is typically made with cheddar cheese, water, salt, lactic acid, and sorbic acid. I use Kraft Old English Cheese Spread.
- Green Onions: Green onions or “scallions” are typical names to describe a long, thin, tubular edible plant with an oniony flavor.
- Worcestershire Sauce: Typically made with vinegar, anchovies, molasses, onion powder, garlic powder, tamarind extract, chili pepper extract, and salt. It provides a savory, sweet, sour, and spicy addition to the cheese ball.
- Nuts: Finely chopped nuts work best to roll the cheese ball in. Pecans or walnuts work great!
- Dried Cranberries: A delicious topping to roll the cheese ball in, if you are looking for a sweet and sour flavor added to this appetizer.
Old English Cheese Ball
Step One: Gather the Ingredients
Gather the ingredients. As you can see, most of the items are probably in your pantry or refrigerator. I love the convenience of the Old English Cheese Spread in the resealable jars!
Step Two: Soften The Cream Cheese
Next, soften the cream cheese. This makes it easier to work with when you blend in the other ingredients.
Step Three: Combine the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, the 2 – 5 ounce glass jar(s) of classic cheddar Old English Cheese Spread, the green onions, and the Worcestershire Sauce.
Step Four: Use Your Mixer
Mix thoroughly. Mound the mixture into a ball and place it in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for 2 hours or until firm. When you’re ready to remove it from the fridge, take off the plastic wrap and start to roll the cheese ball in finely chopped Craisins, finely chopped pecans, finely chopped bacon bits, or finely chopped green onions. Depending on the taste you are going for, you decide on the topping you would like the cheese ball rolled in.
Finished Product
Old English Cheese Ball Recipe
- 2 – 8 ounce packages of cream cheese softened
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 – 5 ounce glass jars of Old English Cheese Spread
- 6 green onions, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
- Roll in: finely Chopped Craisins, finely Chopped Pecans, finely Chopped Bacon Bits, or finely Chopped Green Onions.
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Gather all of your ingredients.
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Soften the cream cheese, so that it is easier to work with when you blend in the other ingredients.
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Combine the cream cheese, garlic powder, the 2 – 5 ounce glass jars of Old English Cheese Spread, green onions, and the Worcestershire Sauce.
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Mix thoroughly.
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Mound the mixture into a ball and place it in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and place it in the refrigerator for 2 hours or until firm.
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When you are ready to remove it from the fridge, take off the plastic wrap and to start to roll the cheese ball in finely Chopped Craisins, finely Chopped Pecans, finely Chopped Bacon Bits, or finely Chopped Green Onions. Serve with crackers, and enjoy.
How do I store this Old English Cheese Ball?
I store mine in the refrigerator covered with plastic wrap or in a Tupperware-type container for 2-3 weeks. The length of storage will depend on how fresh the ingredients are when you make them.
Can I freeze it after I make it?
A reader mentioned she made several cheese balls for a wedding and she froze them. She indicated all went well when she took them out of the freezer. Isn’t this awesome to know?
Does Old English Cheese Spread have cheese in it?
Here’s the deal, some people may argue that since it’s a cheese “spread” it may not even have cheese in it. Well, yes it does. I thought you may be interested in the ingredients posted on the back of the jar. So here they are cheddar cheese, milk, cheese culture, salt, (enzymes), water, sodium phosphate, sorbic acid as a preservative, etc.
What can I serve with this cheese ball?
- Ritz Crackers, Chicken in a Biskit, and/or Wheat Thins
- Celery Sticks
- Carrot Sticks
- Apple Slices
- Mini Bagels
- Pretzels
- Baguettes
- Pita Triangles
- Macaroni and Cheese
- As a sandwich spread – with fresh bread and a variety of lunch meats
- Any other veggies your family loves!
Are there any variations I can make to this cheese ball?
I really love this cheese ball recipe as is! The taste is out of this world!
If you are interested in making any variations, the easiest change would be rolling the cheese ball in the topping that your family would love. I have suggested Craisins, chopped pecans or any other desired nut, finely chopped bacon bits, or finely chopped green onions.
Some may like the taste of added dried parsley flakes or fresh parsley, freshly squeezed lemon juice, a dash of paprika, garlic salt, mayonnaise, or adding a jar of Kraft Roka Blue Cheese Spread. What is so great about this recipe, is that you can tailor to your family’s liking! Go ahead and try what works for you!
Are you interested in other savory appetizer and dip recipes? Check these out!
- 5 Ingredient Pineapple Cream Cheese Dip
- Easy-To-Make Spinach Dip
- Easy Hot Chip Beef Dip
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Bacon-Wrapped Water Chestnuts
- Quick And Easy Spicy Meatball Appetizer Recipe
Final Word
I hope you try making my Old English Cheese Ball. This is one of my favorite recipes! I love to serve this homemade cheese ball at Thanksgiving dinner, Christmas brunch, Easter lunch, or any other friend or family get together. It really is a great addition to any meal!
I love the delicious flavor that is created when combining the cream cheese, green onions, Old English Sharp Cheese Spread, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, and the variety of savory toppings. It is such a tasty spread on crackers, veggies, or a sandwich.
Having easy dinner party appetizers to share when we gather is the best situation, in my opinion! You can call them finger foods, and I remember back in the 1970s we called just about every appetizer a finger food! Life is good when we teach our kids and grandkids how to cook from scratch. May God Bless this world, Linda
I love cheese balls at Christmas! I remember making this recipe several times – it was very popular when I was first married. I have a great cheese ball recipe that is simple to make that we make every year that everyone loves.
Prepper tip: buy a 2 lb block of Tillamook medium cheese in the orange wax wrapper (it has to be in the wax wrapper) . Costco is now carrying it too! It will store in your refrigerator for several years . . . and get sharper! yum! That is how Tillamook makes their sharp cheese – they put it in a black wax wrapper and then keep it refrigerated about 6 months – and then it costs double the price. At about year 3 it starts getting too sharp and a tiny bit of mold on it you can easily scrap off so the sweet spot is 2 years to store it. I have done this for years. This cheese makes the best cheese balls, toasted cheese sandwiches, etc!! Plus I have real cheese for an emergency!
Hi Kay, oh my gosh, I LOVE hearing this! That’s my favorite cheese! Nothing compares to that brand. I will have to try making some “sharp” cheese. Thank you, Linda
Kay, I want to thank you for sharing this awesome prepper tip. We have been buying the 2 lb. blocks of medium cheddar, not in wax, and keeping it in the fridge for up to 5 or 6 months, but now I’ll get the one in orange wax for longer storage!! Sharp cheddar is our fave.
Hi Janet, I agree I love this tip!! Linda
Here’s some irony for you: Old English cheese doesn’t exist in Old England LOL! Merry Christmas anyway. <3
Hi Diana, oh my gosh, isn’t that interesting??? LOL! I wonder why Kraft named it that! Merry Christmas! Linda
I didn’t grow up even knowing about them. I learned about them later in life. I’ve also never eaten them, but will make one for Christmas. This looks so good.
Hi Deborah, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend! I make them even when there is no holiday. I love cheese balls, just about any kind except Roquefort cheese ones. LOL! Linda
Another great recipe to add to my collection
Hi Jackie, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend! I love cheese balls! Linda
I love getting your posts in my email…..thank you for all of your hard work to help so many of us.
I really like Old English cheese spread….usually buy it for the holidays. Then we keep the little jars for serving juice!!
Okay so here’s my story, Linda: I ran out of old english before I ran out of crackers. So I mixed up softened 8 oz. cream cheese, about a cup or so of grated sharp cheddar cheese, some garlic powder to taste, and sea salt; let it sit a while and mixed again. It was a good substitute for the rest of the crackers (adding sea salt might make it too salty for some people, but I have a salty palette, so it was good to me)
Hi Janet, thank you for your kind words, my friend!! Janet, I’m doing as many recipes as I can because I want to share recipes from years ago. I love Old English Cheese spread too! That substitute recipe sounds awesome! It’s crazy I had to order the cheese from Amazon because all of the stores were sold out. I’m going to do what you do and make my own when I can’t get it! I love this tip! Linda
When I saw the jar in the store, my mind went back to the ‘50’s , when my mom would make cheese balls for the Holidays. After making your recipe I was able to t8me travel back to my childhood enjoying a crushed pecan covered cheese ball. Thank you!
HI Suzette, oh I love hearing this!!! It’s all about the wonderful memories, right?? Happy Holidays! Linda
I love the Old English cheese spread in this recipe! It makes the absolute perfect cheese ball! Delicious!
Hi Camille, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend! I’m glad you like it! Linda
Oh my goodness I made this for my friends for a party over the weekend and they all loved it! I will definitely be making this again. Thanks for sharing.
HI Alli, thank you for the 5 stars, my sweet friend! I’m glad you love the recipe! Linda
Yum! What a fun appetizer idea! It was a hit with the whole family! Thanks for sharing!
HI Heidi, thanks for the 5 stars, my sweet frined! I’m glad you like the recipe! Linda
This is definitely my go to recipe for cheese and crackers! It’s a great appetizer to serve when you have a social gathering! It’s such a hit!