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    Home » Party Food » Wedding Shower

    Cheese Ball Wedding Cakes - Elegant Appetizer

    Published: May 16, '11 · Modified: Jun 15, '18 · By: Beth · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Looking for a beautiful and elegant appetizer to make for an upcoming wedding? These Cheese Ball Wedding Cakes are just the appetizer you need; make these creations with any theme and any color, they'll be the perfect addition to your celebration!

    cheese ball decorated like an elegant wedding cake
    A Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cheese Ball is molded into a beautiful wedding cake for a bridal shower.

    Welcome to all the Fox 45 viewers. Thank you for stopping by to see my
    Wedding Cake Cheese Ball recipes.

    Leading up to my wedding, I was very fortunate to have three bridal showers hosted by various friends and family. My favorite event, a kitchen/cooking party, was hosted by my sister. You may think that sounds like an obvious party theme for me, but back then my cooking repertoire was limited to making grilled cheese sandwiches, baked chicken, and stir fried beef, and my kitchen equipment, which consisted mostly of cookie sheets and cake pans, fit into one cupboard. The first meal I made for my husband (then my boyfriend) was a total disaster. He had mentioned that chicken and dumplings was his favorite meal, so I asked a friend how to make it. I had never even eaten the dish, but was determined to make a special meal for him even if it meant trying something completely unfamiliar to me. Well, after several hours in the kitchen and a sink full of dirty dishes, the meal ended up in the trash can. It was awful. I had a lot to learn and thankfully I had friends who were willing to help.

    For my bridal shower, my sister asked my friends to make their favorite dish and to bring it along with the written recipe . This was a huge gift to me. Not only did I have lots of new recipes, but I got to taste all of the dishes so I knew if I liked it or not. During the party, I remember asking my friends how they figured out what to cook for their families. Where did they get their recipes? How did they know they would like a recipe just by reading it? How often did they try new recipes verses making the same old thing? They happily shared their knowledge with me and I felt more confident about cooking for my new husband. My friends showered me with enough kitchen equipment to fill another cupboard and enough information to actually use it. I still have all of the handwritten recipe cards from my friends and use them all of the time. I've learned a lot since then and have my sister and friends to thank for getting me started.

    cut into cheese ball wedding cake and serve with crackers

    No matter what type of bridal shower you host, you will want to have wonderful food, and I think this cheese spread molded into a wedding cake would make a fantastic addition to your menu. To make the cake layers I filled plastic wrap lined round cookie cutters with a roasted garlic Parmesan cheese spread. After chilling the cheese for a few hours each layer was unmolded and stacked to look like a tiered wedding cake. I don't have a tremendous amount of experience decorating wedding cakes, so I kept my design fairly simple.  I used a star decorating tip to pipe a shell design using cream cheese as the "frosting.". If you have a lot of experience piping frosting, I'm sure you will come up with much more beautiful designs for your cake. If you don't have any cake decorating experience, don't fret, you can buy some edible flowers and arrange them around the cake, or you can use mini cookie cutters to cut little flowers or even polka dots out of white cheese slices and attach them to the cake using a bit of cream cheese, or you can leave the cake plain and put a very small cake topper on the top layer. Whatever you choose to do, I am positive your guests will be amazed at your creative talent.

    Roasted Garlic Parmesan Cheese Ball Wedding Cake

    Ingredients:

    1 whole head (bulb) of garlic
    1 teaspoon olive oil
    ⅔ cup blanched and slivered almonds
    2 - 8 ounce blocks of cream cheese, softened
    ¾ cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano Cheese (or freshly grated Parmesan)
    pinch of salt
    optional: pinch of white pepper (don't use black)
    optional decorations: a tub of cream cheese, or edible flowers, or white cheese slices

    Ateco 5357 11 Piece Plain Round Cutter SetSpecial Equipment Needed:

    4 ½", 3 ¼", and 2" round cookie cutters
    food processor or an electric hand mixer
    offset (angled) metal spatula
    tin foil and plastic wrap
    optional: piping bag fitted with a coupler and a #21 star tip

    Instructions:

    how to roast garlic

    Preheat oven to 400 degrees (I use my toaster oven for small jobs like this.) Cut head of garlic in half and set on a piece of tin foil. Drizzle olive oil over garlic.  Fold foil and pinch edges closed. Roast in oven for 35-45 minutes until garlic is golden brown. Allow to cool to room temperature. Squeeze the two halves of the garlic to expel the soft roasted garlic. Note: I put my garlic through a garlic press, just to remove the darker outer skin of the garlic cloves, so that my cheese spread didn't get too brown. It isn't necessary, but I think the cakes look better cream colored than tan.

    how to roast nuts in skillet

    Roast the slivered almonds. Pour the almonds into a skillet set over medium or medium low heat. Stir often as they roast until they turn golden brown.  I usually heat the nuts until they just begin to brown, then I turn off the heat and allow the nuts to roast in the residual heat of the skillet.  I don't worry about burning the nuts that way. Allow the nuts to cool to room temperature.

    how to use cookie cutters to mold roasted garlic parmesan cheese spread

    Combine the cream cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, roasted garlic, salt, and white pepper, if using, in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until creamy and smooth.  Add nuts and pulse 10 times just to incorporate the nuts.  If using an electric mixer, combine all the ingredients in a mixing bowl, and blend until smooth and creamy, roughly chop the nuts and combine.

    Line each of the round cookie cutters with plastic wrap. Spoon the cheese spread into each of the cutters, making sure to completely fill the cutter. Level off the cheese spread using an offset spatula.

    unwrapping garlic parmesan cheese spread

     

    Fold plastic wrap over the top of the cheese spread. Flip the filled cookie cutter upside down. You need to make sure the cheese completely fills the cutter. As you can see, in the middle picture, the cheese doesn't completely fill the cutter on the left. Use your fingers to press the cheese to flatten it out so that it fills the cutter around the edges. If you skip this step, your layered cakes will have gaps where the cakes touch.

    Chill for at least 2 hours, and up to several days.

    how to put together cheeseball wedding cake

     

    Unmold and unwrap the chilled cheese rounds.  Set the 4 ½" cheese round on a serving platter or small cake stand.  Each of the cheese rounds (a.k.a. cake layers) will have a wrinkled looking exterior caused by the folds in the plastic wrap.  This is unavoidable.  To smooth out the top and sides of your cake layers, run an offset spatula under hot water, dry, then use it to smooth the top and and sides of the cheese round. I actually filled a glass with hot water and just dipped the spatula into the water, then wiped it dry with paper towels, and used it to smooth out the wrinkles.  Once you've smoothed out the bottom cake layer, stack the 3 ¼" cake layer in the center on top of the first layer.  Smooth it out then add the third and smallest cake layer and smooth it out.

     

    cheese ball wedding cake put together

    You can now decorate your cake any way you'd like.  Keep is simple and add a small cake topper, pipe cream cheese "frosting" in a lovely pattern on the cakes, cut slices of white cheese using mini cookie cutters into flowers or polka dots and attach them with a dab of cream cheese, or arrange edible flowers all over the cakes.

    decorated cheese ball wedding cake

    My first attempt at making this wedding cake cheese ball wasn't perfect.  First of all, I made the cheese spread using cream cheese, Havarti cheese, ranch dip, and ham.  It was O.K., but not a good enough recipe to share. Then I thought I needed to frost all of the cake layers with cream cheese to make it perfectly white.  The cakes were difficult to frost and I just couldn't get them level or smooth. Then I wanted to pipe something really simple around the cakes, so I chose to make little dots. All of my dots had points on them, because I rushed.  I didn't think the points would show much in the photos, but obviously they did.  This cake just wasn't picture perfect, so I started over.  I would have, however, served it if I were actually having a shower. It looked pretty on the cake stand and I think my guests would have been impressed.

    garlic parmesan cheese ball wedding cake with roasted nuts

    To decorate your cheese ball wedding cake like I did above, you'll need about 4 ounces of softened cream cheese.  I bought a tub of cream cheese to use, as I think the texture is softer and creamier than the block. If you've never used a piping bag fitted with a coupler and a decorating tip, click here for a very informative tutorial and video. Once you've filled your piping bag fitted with a #21 star tip, pipe a shell pattern around each cake.  On the top of the cake I made a reverse shell pattern.

    This tiered cake is perfect for a bridal shower or a wedding, but you can make cakes for any occasion using this technique.

    cheese ball wedding cake with daisies

    Go here to see how to create other wedding cake cheese balls including this lovely daisy cake

    cheese ball wedding cake with fresh dill and roses

    and this one created using fresh dill and baby roses.

    Thanks for stopping by.

    • Author
    • Recent Posts
    Beth
    Beth
    Hi, I'm Beth Jackson Klosterboer, a professional chocolatier & baker, cookbook author, and event planner. I love sharing recipes for happy occasions here on Hungry Happenings. I also create easy fudge recipes to share at HowToMakeEasyFudge.com, rice krispie treat recipes at HowToMakeCerealTreats.com, and easy cookie recipes at HowToMakeEasyCookies.com
    Beth
    Latest posts by Beth (see all)
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    About Beth

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    1. Tab371

      September 09, 2016 at 11:27 am

      Have you tried using a different cheese ball recipe for each layer? I would like to know if it worked. Thanks!

      Reply
      • Beth

        September 09, 2016 at 3:04 pm

        That would work great. You can definitely use different flavors.

        Reply
    2. Tori

      June 07, 2016 at 3:02 pm

      Do you think this could be made ahead and frozen? Looks perfect for my outdoor wedding!

      Reply
      • Beth

        June 07, 2016 at 6:42 pm

        Yes, you can freeze this cheese ball wedding cake. Wrap it well, then freeze it. Be sure to set it in the refrigerator at least 24 hours before you plan to serve it so it thaws. Best wishes on your wedding!

        Reply
    3. Jenny Summersill

      December 12, 2013 at 4:51 am

      How many servings does this "cake" consist of?

      Reply
      • beth

        December 12, 2013 at 1:44 pm

        I've served these at parties and I would say that one will serve 12-24 people, depending on what else is being served.

        Reply
    4. Myra

      July 08, 2013 at 7:24 am

      Can you tell me what height of cookie cutters you used for you cheese layers?

      Reply
      • beth

        July 08, 2013 at 11:13 am

        Hi Myra,

        I used a set of Ateco round cookie cutters and they are 1 1/4 inches tall.

        Reply
    5. Anonymous

      March 19, 2013 at 11:11 am

      I absolutely refuse to believe you weren't really into cooking, baking & creating before you got married. Your creations are phenominal and your creativity unlimited.

      Readers are thinking alike - use it for birthday parties and any other events involving a cake and/or appetizers. It's beautiful and bet it's delish as well. I put a note to myself on the recipe that the biggest layer is 4 1/2". However, as you said, it can be made any size. This would defintely be a conversation starter.

      Oh yes - our kitchen gadgets, cutters & sprinkles has a way of quickly multiplying.

      Tavette

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        March 19, 2013 at 1:00 pm

        I have been baking and making candy since childhood and was called Betty Crocker all throughout high school. I just never cooked much of anything until I got married. I laugh now to think about a conversation I had with a friend about where she found good recipes. I had no idea how to even start. Now my kitchen is overflowing with cookbooks and gadgets and I love cooking.

        Reply
    6. Anonymous

      November 05, 2012 at 6:36 pm

      buscando y buscando encontre espa página y es increible ... Beth Jackson Klosterboer sos una genia!!!

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        November 05, 2012 at 10:15 pm

        ¡muchas gracias

        Reply
    7. Anonymous

      September 25, 2012 at 3:28 pm

      I think this is supurb, just like everything you do. You can add a little color and different shapes and it would be great for any party. Add yellow coloring and shape like a duck for a baby shower. Your the best, Beth.

      Trish Butler (Motheroverkill)

      Reply
    8. Sowmya Karthy

      July 21, 2012 at 5:24 pm

      If I did not know it was made from cheese, I would think it is a regular white cake and when I try it I would be super surprised!!! Were anybody like me? Trying it without knowing what they are going to enjoy!!!

      Sowmya
      http://nivedhanams.blogspot.in/

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        July 21, 2012 at 6:05 pm

        It does look like a cake from a distance but up close you can tell is doesn't really look like a cake. Plus when you serve it with crackers most people will get the idea it is cheese. My friend made these for a wedding shower and all of her guests were blown away and loved the cheese.

        Reply
    9. Anonymous

      July 11, 2012 at 12:53 pm

      What a cute idea! Have you ever tried making a larger version that could be used as a centerpiece at a reception table? Do you have to use a cookie cutter that is open-ended, or could you use a cake pan and invert the cheese after chilling? (Is it easy to unmold?) Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        July 11, 2012 at 8:09 pm

        Thank you. I used the cookie cutters, just because of the size. Cake pans would work well too and I'm sure you can make this any size you'd like. If you use plastic wrap the cheese ball cake layers are super easy to unmold.

        Reply
      • Anonymous

        July 12, 2012 at 3:57 am

        Thank you for the quick response. I have enjoyed looking through your website. A lot of clever ideas that are well executed!

        Reply
    10. Style Sisters

      July 11, 2012 at 5:15 am

      Wow this is an amazing idea!

      Reply
    11. Liz

      July 10, 2012 at 5:51 am

      Looks great!

      Reply
    12. melodo

      July 03, 2012 at 2:43 am

      This is fabulous! Is there a way to store this already built so that I can make it the day before the event?

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        July 03, 2012 at 12:14 pm

        Thanks. Yes, you can make this a day ahead. If you have a container to put it in, that would be great, if not, just turn a large bowl upside down and set it over top of your cheese ball cake. Your cheese ball will keep for at least a week in the refrigerator.

        Reply
    13. melodo

      July 03, 2012 at 2:41 am

      This is fabulous! Is there a way to store this gorgeous cheese ball cake already assembled so that I can make it the day before the party?

      Reply
    14. Keitha

      May 24, 2012 at 12:20 pm

      Thank you so much for posting this tutorial. I used it as inspiration for a cheese ball birthday cake for my son's kindergarten teacher.
      http://keithaschaos.blogspot.com/2012/05/cheese-ball-cake.html#

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        May 24, 2012 at 2:09 pm

        You cheese ball birthday cake turned out great. I'm so glad you were inspired by my idea to create such a great edible gift for your son's teacher.

        Reply
    15. Anonymous

      April 07, 2012 at 6:54 pm

      Thanks to a commet on Nancyskitchen.com I found you and this ADORABLE idea. Why couldn't I use it at a birthday party as well. Most of my friends' families are married with children so it would be needed for a birthday cake or whatever. Can't wait to checkout other things on this site.
      As I saw on a stamp at Michaels store--Oh happy day, Have a great Easter everyone!!!

      Reply
      • Beth Jackson Klosterboer

        April 07, 2012 at 7:01 pm

        Hi, I'm happy you found my site and hope you find many occasions to make this cheese ball cake. It would be great for birthdays. Happy Easter!

        Reply
    16. Pat's Pink Apron

      January 10, 2012 at 6:21 am

      I love this! I am definitly going to make this! I am a new follower now. Pat

      Reply
    17. Beth @ Hungry Happenings

      July 15, 2011 at 2:25 pm

      Hi Trish. This would be a great addition to a tea party and would be so beautiful with edible flowers. I'm happy you love my blog and got inspired!

      Reply
    18. Trish - Sweetology101

      July 15, 2011 at 2:14 pm

      I am a tea party junkie...do you know how this would go over at a TEA Party....the ladies may flip out and go nuts...You could adorn with pretty sugared edible flowers too...I think I love you...not in a crazy way...just cool stuff here! Lots of inspiration and I was having a "my blog and blogging sucks rut" -----now I am energized.

      Reply
    19. Cute Everything

      May 20, 2011 at 12:30 am

      This is a really nice idea. It turned out really beautiful. I think it would look pretty surrounded by your other little cheese mini cakes from your previous post. They were very cute, too! I like that they are savory, as a break from all the sweets at a shower/reception.

      Reply
    20. laurielufkin

      May 19, 2011 at 9:20 pm

      Just stole a good part of this post and put it on www.goodmorninggloucester.com. Thousands of views a day......it will become active when the admin needs a food post for the blog. You are so clever I can hardly stand it!

      Reply
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    I'm Beth. I've been a professional chocolatier & baker for over 30 years, have written 5 cookbooks, and love creating fun food for holidays and special occasions.

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