I’m in a vintage kind of mood today and I hope you are too, because this Cheddar-Pecan Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves is one of those recipes from way back. You know, back when we actually wrote them down on little cards and filed them in a box. Yes, I’m talking about before the internet.
I’m always so amused when I see someone post a recipe they’ve just “discovered” and are raving about it as the latest thing. More often than not it’s something (or a slight variation on something) that has been around for years and years.
I just want to say, “Girl, please. My friends and I were making that before you were born.” But I don’t. I just smile and feel happy that a new generation is enjoying all those recipes again.
This cheese ring is one that I’ve seen again recently. I remember when this recipe became popular in the early 70’s. It was during the time that Jimmy Carter was governor of Georgia and this was his wife, Rosalynn’s, cheese ring recipe.
The cheese ring enjoyed a resurgence in popularity when the Carters were in the White House. During those years, you couldn’t go to an event in Georgia with more than three people present and not find this cheese ring on the buffet.
And with good reason. It’s downright fantastic. Again, as I’ve said so many times before, here’s that combination of sweet and salt that Southerners love. The savory, salty cheese, onion, and mayonnaise combined with the sweet strawberry preserves. Deliciousness on a cracker, y’all.
Make this for your sweetheart for Valentine’s Day. You’re gonna love it. I promise.
Give this delicious Cheddar Pecan Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves a try! Click To Tweet
Start by toasting the pecans in the oven at 350 degrees or in a dry skillet over medium heat. Let them cool while you proceed with the recipe. Set aside 2 tablespoons of pecans for garnish.
Grate the cheese with a box grater or food processor.
There’s me with a hand-operated tool again. I tell y’all, I just cannot get with the machines in the kitchen. They’re too noisy and disturb my happy place. But you know it will take you about 3 seconds in your food processor, right?
Oh, and I cannot stress enough that you should not use the packaged shredded cheese in this recipe. It just won’t work. The coating on the packaged stuff keeps it from sticking together. You must have freshly grated cheese. Got it? Okay.
Now, just put all the ingredients in a medium mixing bowl and stir with a wooden spoon until everything is thoroughly combined.
Turn the entire mixture out onto a board or serving plate and using your impeccably clean hands, shape it into a ring. Spoon the preserves in the center of the ring. Sprinkle the reserved pecans on top.
Serve this with assorted mildly flavored crackers. I like a sesame seed cracker best, but that’s just my preference.
The cheese ring may be made ahead and refrigerated but be sure to bring it to room temperature for serving. Leftovers also keep well for a few days in the refrigerator.
Enjoy!
Cheddar-Pecan Cheese Ring with Strawberry Preserves
Ingredients
- 1 lb. sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 1 small onion, grated
- 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
- 1 small jar strawberry preserves
Instructions
- Lightly toast the pecans in the oven at 350 degrees or in a dry skillet over medium heat. Let cool. Set aside 2 tablespoons of pecans for garnish.
- Grate the cheese with a box grater or food processor.
- Put all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl. Mix with a wooden spoon until thoroughly combined.
- Turn the mixture out onto a board or serving plate. Using your hands, shape into a ring. Place preserves in the center of the ring. Sprinkle with the reserved pecans.
- Serve with assorted crackers.May be made ahead and refrigerated. Keeps well for a few days in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.
Notes
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Other recipes for cheese rings and balls you might enjoy:
- Bacon-Jalapeno Cheese Ball from Brown Eyed Baker
- Dessert Cream Cheese Ball from The Wannabe Chef
- S’mores Cheese Ball from Taste and Tell
- Bacon and Green Onion Cheese Ball from Real Mom Kitchen
- Spinach Artichoke Cheese Ball from Eclectic Recipes
I so love this recipe….it is addictive! Love your blog, which I found via Pinterest!
Glad you found me, Bella, and I hope you’ll visit again! I agree…this cheese ring is so addictive. The only problem I have with making it is that I can’t stop eating it.
I have had the longest day. After nearly a month of cleaning and packing my house went on the market Saturday; Saturday night I seriously wrenched my back installing a chandelier and this house showing business has been not only tiring but painful. I SO need a day off my feet with a heating pad to try to correct whatever I did to my back.
So…what’s that got to do with your cheese ring? Well, I’m reading this article and am so tired I feel sick but you made me smile. Wide and big. How? This:
“Girl, please. My friends and I were making that before you were born.”
Oh yeah; how many times that very thought has gone through my head!! Thanks for the chuckle; I needed it. Now off to find some Ibuprofen and a heating pad!
Barb – so, so sorry about your back! Fingers crossed that the house sells quickly and you have a few days to rest and take care of yourself.
And, yeah, I even thought of you when I was writing that :-)
Lana, I had this cheese ring at a church luncheon in the 1970′ and finally found it again here. Thanks so much truly delicious.
You’re welcome, Maggie! It really is a delicious old recipe :-)
I had totally forgotten about this delicious recipe! I’m like you about the noisy kitchen machines. Not to mention that by the time one gets the thing out, grates the cheese, takes it back apart, cleans it and puts it away, YOUR cheese is grated, you have one simple tool to wash, and you are well into your recipe.
That’s the truth, Rocquie! It has to be something really huge for me to go to the trouble of taking apart and washing those things. I’d rather wash my hand held tools any time!
Oh yes. We have made and consumed enough of this to “float a battleship.” For a true Southwest Georgia delicacy, substitute mayhaw jelly for strawberry preserves.
Miss P
That’s a great idea! I’ve never had it with mayhaw jelly, but I know that would be wonderful.
YUM! Wow this looks delicious. I can’t wait to try it.
This is new to me!! And it (still) looks fabulous! ;)
I hope you’ll give it a try, Brenda. I’ve never served it to anyone who didn’t rave about it.
Looks delicious!! Thanks so much for sharing.
We make something very similar, but I think we use double that amount of cheese and green onions instead of yellow or white. A friend took this to her niece’s wedding, and my mom convinced me to try it (it doesn’t look very pretty, lol). So glad I did! It is now my go-to dish, and there is never any left. I had no idea it was a vintage recipe!
Had this at a potluck ‘meeting’..it was DELICIOUS! Can’t wait to make it for Christmas!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! Reminds me I need to put it on my Christmas-to-make list.
Made this for Easter and it was incredible. Posted it today on my site. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! It’s an old favorite around here, too.
Do you think this would work in a oiled jello mold?
I’m not sure, Vee. I’ve always just shaped it with my hands.
I may try it.. because I need a cheeseball type recipe for a brain mold for Halloween party. I plan on adding a red food color powder in it then spooning the preserves over the brain shape
Didn’t work in a mold. Could not remove it. .back to square one.