Cheese Lovers! Ideas for your next party!

I saw this adorable idea on Kathie Lee & Hoda and had to share! I really can't wait to try these. I know that my mom and sister would get a kick out of them, too. Cute addition to any party.

Everything below is taken from The Today Show - check out the video at the bottom to see the process in action! 

Cheese balls can be so much more than just a chunk of cheddar rolled in nuts, and Michelle Buffardi, author of "Great Balls of Cheese," is dedicated to proving it. Check out how to cheese balls more creative with her clever recipes. 

Wise & cheesy owl

Serves 15-20

For the owl:

• 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup shredded extra-sharp cheddar cheese
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1⁄2 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1⁄4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

For decorating the owl:

• 1 cup sliced almonds, toasted (see page 94)
• 2 small round butter crackers, such as Ritz Bits
• 2 small pitted black olives, sliced
• 1 carrot
• 2 scoop-shaped corn chips, such as Fritos Scoops!
• Crackers, for serving

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar, shallots, mustard, salt, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl. Set aside 1 teaspoon of the cream cheese mixture; you’ll need this for the eyes. Form the remaining mixture into an owl shape — it should look like a large egg. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, layer the almonds around the back and sides of the owl for the feathers, leaving the breast area plain. To make the eyes, spread each small butter cracker with half of the reserved cream cheese mixture, and stick an olive slice in the middle. Affix the eyes to where the owl’s face will be. To make the beak, slice two 1⁄4-inch pieces of the carrot into triangles, and make a mouth below the owl’s eyes. To make the feet, slice 6 slivers from the remaining carrot and arrange at the bottom of the owl. Finish the owl by pressing the 2 corn chips into the head for ears.

Serve with crackers.

Nacho cat

• 16 ounces cream cheese,softened
• 1 1⁄2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese, preferablyo range
• 1 tablespoon minced onion
• 1 jalapeño, cored, seeded, and chopped
• 1 tablespoon tomato salsa
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• Pinch coarse salt
• 1 carrot
• 2 nacho cheese tortilla chips
• 1 pitted black olive
• Fresh chives, for decorating
• Tortilla chips or crackers, for serving

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the cream cheese, cheddar, onion, jalapeño, salsa, cumin,and salt until combined. Form the mixture into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

While the mixture is chilling, peel strips from the carrot to use as “stripes” on the cat and set aside. Peel the carrot until you reach the middle. Remove any bits of carrot sticking tothe core of the carrot and reserve for the cat’s tail.

Before serving, unwrap the cheese ball and break off a 3-ounce portion (about the size of a golf ball), roll into a ball,and set aside; this will be the cat’s head. Form the remaining cheese mixture into an egg shape, and place on a plate.Arrange the reserved carrot strips on the egg shape to make the stripes. Attach the reserved carrot to the back of the cat for the tail. Place the reserved golf ball–sized cheese ball on top of the cat to make the head. Stick the chips in for the cat’s ears. Cut the olive into eyes and a mouth and arrange on the cat’s face. Finish with pieces of chives for the cat's whiskers. 

Serve with crackers. 

S'mores ball

• 8 ounces semisweet chocolate
• 1⁄2 cup packed light brown sugar
• 8 ounces cream cheese,softened
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• 8 graham crackers, crushed, for coating
• Graham crackers, for serving

In a double boiler or a glass bowl set over a pot of simmeringwater, melt the chocolate. When smooth, remove from thewater and add the sugar. Stir until combined and let cool,about 15 minutes.

Using a stand mixer or a bowl and a spatula, mix together the chocolate mixture, cream cheese, and vanilla extract until combined and even colored. Blend in the marshmallows.Form the mixture into a ball, cover with plastic wrap, and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Before serving, roll the cheese ball in the crushed graham crackers to coat.

Serve with graham crackers.