Savory and ultra-spreadable, our 5-minute, 5-ingredient Cheese Ring recipe – served with jam & crackers – is retro party food fun!
Mid-Century Modern isn’t just for decor! This soft, tasty Cheese Ring is pure perfection on a cracker, plus it’s ridiculously easy! Featuring cheddar cheese, nuts, onion, and mayo, seasoned with black pepper, this vintage appetizer is making a HUGE comeback for good reason – it’s absolutely scrumptious and super quick to create!
An Unlikely Combo that Really, Truly WORKS!
Cheese, nuts, onion, mayonnaise and jam?? Yep, this is an odd grouping for sure, but it’s a winning combination! The sweetness of the strawberry preserves perfectly balances the savory, salty cheese. And don’t think twice about the mayo – it simply makes this recipe soft, creamy and irresistibly scoopable!
The “Plains Special Cheese Ring” was a favorite of First Lady Rosalynn Carter, who served it regularly to family and friends, even at White House functions! Once you take a bite, you’ll understand why this blast from the past is being revived!
Other Recipes to Serve with a Cheese Ring
- Strawberry Mango Moscato Punch is a great year-round cocktail to serve with appetizers!
- Try the Cheese Ring with this amazing Pepper Jelly that’s sweet, hot, and spectacular!
Ingredients
Cheese: Grated cheddar cheese is the hallmark of this awesome appetizer! We like a mixture of sharp and mild cheddars.
Onion: Choose either a medium yellow onion or a sweet Vidalia onion. These are the best options for pairing with the cheddar – not too tangy, not too strong – just all that oniony goodness!
Nuts: Finely chopped mixed nuts bring in subtle flavors and saltiness to this cheese ring. You could always stick to one single nut, like pecans, but the mixed blend is absolutely perfect!
Mayo: You got it – plain ol’ mayo is what makes this cheese ring different from a cheese ball – it’s smooth and spreadable, and won’t break your cracker!
Seasoning: Ground black pepper is the only seasoning we’re adding – the cheese and nuts bring plenty of salt.
How to Make a Cheese Ring
STEP ONE: Combine all of the ingredients (minus the strawberry preserves) in a large mixing bowl. Stir until well combined.
STEP TWO: Line a bundt pan (or other ring mold) with plastic wrap. Place the cheese mixture into the bottom of the pan. Press it firmly and smooth it until level. Refrigerate 4-12 hours.
STEP THREE: Remove the cheese from the mold by lifting out the plastic wrap. Flip it gently onto a plate or charcuterie board. Place a small bowl of strawberry preserves in the center and surround with crackers. Grab some for yourself before it disappears!
Tips for Success
- This cheese ring can be made with mild, medium, or sharp cheddar – it’s all up to your taste preference!
- Grate the cheese and let it come to room temperature for easier mixing and shaping!
- Want a little heat? Add a kick of cayenne pepper into the mix.
- This cheese ring could also be topped with additional mixed nuts.
- Shape your cheese ring in a fluted bundt pan for a fancy presentation (line it with plastic wrap for easy removal!)
- For a small get-together, cut the ingredients in half for a mini-ring!
- Serve with strawberry jam and crackers. Or pepper jelly and pita. Or simply raw veggies.
What is a Cheese Ring?
A cheese ring is the epitome of throwback vintage recipes! This savory appetizer is made of grated cheese, mayo, nuts, and other ingredients like onion, garlic, herbs, and spices, which is molded into a round ring shape and chilled. It’s softer than a cheese ball, but firmer than a dip and is usually served with a fruity jam and crackers, chips, or raw veggies.
How Long Will a Cheese Ring Last?
Because this cheese ring recipe is mayonnaise-based, it won’t last as long as a typical holiday cheese ball. Still, wrapped airtight and refrigerated, it will stay fresh and delicious for 5-6 days. You can easily enjoy the leftovers as a snack for the rest of the week!
Other Sweet, Savory, Special Cheese Ball Recipes!
- Pineapple Cheese Ball
- Sriracha Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball
- Onion Cranberry Pecan Cheese Ball
- Game Day Bacon Cheese Balls
- Pepperoni Pizza Cheese Ball
- Garlic & Herb Goat Cheese Ball
Equipment
- Bundt Pan or Tube Pan
Ingredients
- 1 pound cheddar cheese shredded
- ¾ cup mixed nuts chopped (see note)
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 medium yellow onion peeled and minced
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- Strawberry jam for serving
- Ritz crackers for serving
Instructions
- To a large mixing bowl, add the cheese, nuts, mayo, onion, and pepper. Use a rubber spatula to combine all the ingredients until evenly combined.
- Line a bundt pan with plastic wrap. Spoon the cheese mixture into the pan, and spread so the top is even. It will fill the bottom of the pan in a shallow layer.
- Chill the chees ring for at least 4 hours to overnight.
- When you're ready to serve, gently lift the cheese ring from the pan using the plastic wrap to lift. Place a serving platter over the top and invert the ring onto the plate. Peel away the plastic wrap.
- Put the jam in a small bowl and place the bowl in the center of the ring. (Or spoon the jam directly into the center of the ring.) Serve with Ritz crackers to spread the dip on. Top with jam and enjoy!
Notes
- I did a mix of fine and roughly chopped nuts for some variety, which was a nice little crunch occasionally. I used ¼ cup each pecans, peanuts, and cashews. I used all unsalted nuts since I figured the cheese was salty enough.
- It’s best to grate the cheese from a block vs pre-shredded. If you let the shredded cheese sit out for 20 minutes, it’ll soften a little and be easier to mix and form.
- Strawberry or raspberry jam both work great for this recipe.
- If you want a kick, try serving with pepper jelly or add a little cayenne pepper to the cheese mixture.
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