A fruit and cheese platter can include a cream cheese ball or log.
Cream cheese can be the centerpiece of a healthy and delicious snack platter that also includes crackers, vegetables and fruit. Usually offered as a side dip or formed into a ball or log, the cream cheese is often mixed with other cheeses and rolled into a coating of nuts or grains, such as crushed cereal crumbs. The temperature and texture of cream cheese is key when it comes time to shape it; take a few moments to work with the ingredient before it becomes part of your dish.
Instructions
1. Empty the cream cheese into a mixing bowl.
2. Mash and stir the cream cheese with a fork until it has a smooth texture and is easy to shape.
3. Lay a piece of plastic wrap flat on a cookie sheet.
4. Spoon the cream cheese onto the center of the plastic wrap. If you are planning to create a cheese ball, spoon the cream cheese into a pile. If you are planning to create a cheese log, spoon the cream cheese into a rough log shape.
5. Close the plastic wrap around the cheese. Using your hands, form the cheese into a shape by pressing on the outside of the plastic. To form a log, roll the cheese back and forth on the cookie sheet until a tube shape forms. To form a ball, roll the cheese in all directions on the cookie sheet until a ball forms.
6. Place the shaped cheese into the fridge to chill for two hours, or overnight. Leave the plastic wrap on the cheese ball or log and transfer both the tray and cheese to the fridge.
7. Remove the chilled cheese from the refrigerator. Smooth out the cheese shape if necessary using your fingers.
8. Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese. Roll the ball or log in its coating, transfer to a serving platter and surround with crackers and fruit.
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