A cheese ball is an appetizer made by blending a soft cheese base, usually cream cheese, with shredded hard cheese, herbs, spices, or other flavorings, then shaping the mixture into a ball or log, often rolled in chopped nuts, herbs, or bacon before serving. It emerged as a party food in the mid-20th-century United States and remains associated there with potlucks and holiday gatherings. It is typically served with crackers, bread, or vegetables for dipping or spreading.