Description
I first had these in my Aunt Carol’s bustling holiday kitchen. Warm appetizers everywhere, but those little golden cheese balls? I must have eaten half the plate. The crunch, the melt, the salty olive center — instant obsession. Aunt Carol called them her “secret weapon,” and now they’re mine too.
Instructions
1️⃣ Preheat
Heat oven to 400°F (200°C).
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2️⃣ Make the Dough
In a bowl, mix together:
-
softened butter
-
shredded cheddar
Then add:
-
flour
-
salt
-
pepper
-
paprika
-
(optional spices/herbs)
Mix until a soft, pliable dough forms. A little crumbly at first is normal — keep working it.
If too crumbly: rest 5–10 minutes so the flour hydrates.
3️⃣ Wrap the Olives
Flatten a tablespoon of dough into a small disc.
Place an olive in the center.
Wrap and seal completely, rolling into a smooth ball.
Tip: Lightly flour your hands if the dough sticks.
4️⃣ Bake
Place on the sheet about 1 inch apart.
Bake 13–15 minutes, until lightly golden.
5️⃣ Cool
Let rest 5 minutes — they’re extremely hot inside!
Notes
-
Assemble balls
-
Freeze on a tray until solid
-
Store in a freezer bag
Bake straight from frozen — add 2–3 minutes.