Serve family and friends a dreamy and delicious dairy-free appetizer this holiday season. Surprise and delight them with a creamy cashew-based “cheeze” ball garnished with almonds for a fun and festive presentation. Serve it with your favorite seeded crackers and an assortment of cut veggies for an ideal party bite.
Festive Vegan Cheeze Ball
Prep Time 10 minutes
Soak Time & Chill Time 8 hours
Total Time 8 hours 10 minutes
Servings 6
Calories 369 kcal
Ingredients
- 2 cups unsalted raw cashews
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 tsp. onion powder
- 1 tsp. kosher salt
- 1/2 tsp. dried basil
- 1/2 tsp. dried thyme
- 1/2 cup vegan plain cream cheese
- ½ cup almonds or pistachios, walnuts or pecans, whole or crushed
- Crackers for serving
- Cut vegetables for serving
Instructions
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In bowl, combine cashews and room temperature water, covering cashews by two inches. Let sit at least 4 hours and up to overnight. Drain and rinse cashews well.
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In food processor, combine cashews, lemon juice, onion powder, salt, basil and thyme. Blend until cashews are well broken down, about 1 minute, scraping down sides of bowl as necessary.
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Add cream cheese and blend until very smooth and creamy.
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Transfer mixture to cheesecloth or clean, lint-free dish towel. Wrap cloth around cheeze and shape into ball. Twist top to close. Place in bowl and refrigerate at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
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Unwrap cheeze ball and garnish with almonds or nuts of choice. Serve with crackers and cut veggies.
Recipe Notes
Get these ingredients and more at Vitacost.com.
Nutrition Facts
Festive Vegan Cheeze Ball
Amount Per Serving
Calories 369
Calories from Fat 270
% Daily Value*
Fat 30g46%
Saturated Fat 6g30%
Trans Fat 0.002g
Polyunsaturated Fat 5g
Monounsaturated Fat 14g
Sodium 398mg17%
Potassium 404mg12%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 5g20%
Sugar 4g4%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 19IU0%
Vitamin C 5mg6%
Calcium 81mg8%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.