Unforgettable Holiday Entertaining: Crafting Festive Feasts with Homemade Pecan Pie Brownies & Gourmet Cheese Balls

The holiday season is truly magical, isn’t it? It’s a time for warmth, laughter, cherished traditions, and of course, an abundance of delicious food. This past weekend, our home was filled with the joyous spirit of our annual Christmas party, a tradition that has evolved into something wonderfully unique and incredibly fun. For the third year running, our theme was the delightfully kitschy “Polyester & Cheese.” Yes, you read that right! Guests are encouraged to don their most outrageously cheesy polyester attire – the more retro and flamboyant, the better – and bring a substantial chunk of their favorite cheese to share. It’s an idea we gleefully borrowed from some dear friends a few years ago, and it has proven to be a resounding success. Polyester offers such a vast array of vibrant, often sparkling, and thankfully far less itchy options than those overused, tacky Christmas sweaters!

As you can imagine, the result was a magnificent spread of culinary delights. The cheese table alone was a sight to behold, groaning under the weight of countless varieties, perfectly complemented by an array of crackers, artisanal breads, and even a rich wild boar pâté. But the savory treats were just the beginning. Our dessert table shimmered with an impressive collection of Christmas cookies and festive squares, each one a testament to the festive baking spirit. There’s something truly special about a house party during Christmas, isn’t there? It instantly transports me back to my childhood, to those thrilling evenings where I’d get to stay up late with neighborhood kids, running wild while our parents were happily distracted in conversation. I remember hiding under the dining room table, which had been transformed into a grand buffet, stealthily reaching up to snag an occasional “Hello Dolly” bar. Even now, as an adult, I still get a little giddy realizing I’m the boss of my own dessert consumption, free to indulge in as many Hello Dollies as my heart desires.

Despite a slightly protesting back that year, which urged me to minimize my cooking efforts, I simply couldn’t resist contributing some essential homemade treats. Certain dishes are non-negotiable for a truly authentic holiday gathering. So, alongside my beloved Hello Dollies, I whipped up a batch of perfectly spiced nuts, delicate eccles cakes, buttery rugelach, and, of course, a show-stopping cheese ball. I firmly believe a cheese ball is an absolute must-have at any Christmas house party, a savory centerpiece that always sparks conversation. This year, I opted for Lisa Fain’s — the brilliant mind behind Homesick Texan — legendary bacon-jalapeño cheese ball. Having had the wonderful opportunity to meet her (and even share a meal!) earlier in the year, and seeing how absolutely fantastic the recipe looked (plus, it had bacon!), it was an obvious choice. It certainly did not disappoint.

The original recipe for this incredible Bacon-Jalapeño Cheese Ball can be found on Lisa’s Homesick Texan site, and it’s truly a gem. I made just a couple of minor adjustments to suit my taste and the enthusiastic help of my little one. First, I scaled back the jalapeños slightly, using just one instead of two, to ensure a pleasant kick without overwhelming the other flavors for all our guests. Second, in a moment of sheer convenience (and perhaps a touch of festive laziness), I decided to mix all the wonderfully crispy cooked bacon directly into the cheese mixture, rather than rolling the ball in it. This ensured every bite was packed with smoky, savory goodness. For the coating, I went with a generous roll in finely chopped toasted pecans, adding a delightful crunch and nutty aroma that beautifully complemented the richness of the cheese. Finally, I inadvertently (and perhaps delightfully) used far more grated cheddar than intended – I misread “1/2 cup” as “1 1/2 cups.” My son, W, who was joyfully assisting, was also incredibly enthusiastic about grating and adding even more cheese to the bowl. But here’s the beauty of a cheese ball: it’s incredibly forgiving! As long as the mixture holds together well enough to be shaped into a ball, you’re in excellent shape. The result was an undeniably decadent, creamy, and flavorful cheese ball that was devoured with gusto.

After such a magnificent savory spread, I realized we were still missing something crucial: a generous dose of chocolate! To rectify this, I turned my attention to a truly special dessert: pecan pie brownies. These weren’t just any brownies; they were Gwendolyn’s famous Pecan Pie Brownies, a recipe she had stumbled upon in the most unexpected place – an NBC Sunday Night Football Cookbook! The idea of combining two beloved desserts into one irresistible treat was simply genius. Naturally, I made a few personal modifications to perfect them to my liking. I chose to omit the bourbon, not because I’m against it, but because I wanted the pure, unadulterated flavors of chocolate, caramel, and pecans to shine through without any interference. Similarly, I skipped the cinnamon. Perhaps I’m in the minority, but I’ve never truly appreciated the chocolate-cinnamon combination; I find it often muddles the distinct richness of chocolate. Instead of corn syrup, I opted for Roger’s Golden Syrup. I much prefer its nuanced flavor profile, which adds a beautiful depth that corn syrup often lacks. Golden syrup, derived from cane sugar, offers a similar texture to corn syrup, making it an excellent and flavorful substitute I often use interchangeably in my baking.

The process for these extraordinary brownies involves two distinct baking stages, which contribute to their unique texture. First, you bake the rich, fudgy brownie base. Once cooled, a luscious pecan pie topping is poured over them, and they are baked once more until golden and bubbly. This method ensures they emerge from the oven incredibly moist, wonderfully gooey, and packed with that irresistible sweet, nutty flavor. Their luxurious stickiness means they require a bit of gentle coaxing to get them out of the pan, but this happy challenge often results in a few “mucked” pieces – perfect for immediate sampling! (Quality control, after all, is a crucial step in any baking endeavor.) If I had ample freezer space, I might have even frozen the entire pan briefly before cutting. Gooey bars, in my experience, always yield cleaner, more precise slices when they’re thoroughly chilled or even slightly frozen.

Beyond the delicious food and festive attire, the holiday season is truly about connection and spreading joy. Speaking of spreading joy, have you heard about our delightful “Random Acts of Cheese” initiative? It’s a whimsical endeavor we undertake each holiday season, bringing unexpected smiles to unsuspecting recipients. This past weekend, we had an absolute blast popping in on two individuals we’d never met before, appearing on their doorsteps with my husband, Mike, dressed in a full Santa suit, holding a festive box of gourmet cheese. Allyson and Michelle were the wonderfully surprised (and very happy!) recipients this weekend, and their reactions were priceless. But our cheesy cheer doesn’t stop there! We’ll continue to play Mr. and Mrs. Claus all week long, spreading this unique brand of festive delight all over the city.

Do you know someone who deserves a little acknowledgment, a moment of unexpected joy, or simply a delicious box of cheese this holiday season? We’d love to hear about them! You can suggest a deserving individual right here in the comments, or feel free to reach out on social media. We’re keeping tabs everywhere! Use the hashtag #randomactsofcheese on Twitter, or share your nominations on our Facebook page. It’s a wonderful way to give back to our community and ensure everyone feels a little extra special during this magical time of year. From elaborate parties to spontaneous acts of kindness, the holidays are truly a time for sharing, connecting, and savoring every moment – and every delicious bite.