Olive Cheese Balls

Ingredients

• 1 cup sharp Cheddar cheese
• 0.25 cups unsalted butter , softened
• 0.5 cups flour
• 0.5 teaspoons paprika
• 0.13 teaspoons cayenne pepper
• 36 small pimiento-stuffed green olives
• ranch dressing for serving
• cracked black cracked black

Instructions

1. 1

   Combine cheese and butter in a food processor and process until mixed together. Add flour, paprika, and cayenne. Process just until dough comes together. Turn out dough and shape into a disc. Chill, covered, until slightly firm and easy to handle, about 30 minutes.

2. 2

   Meanwhile, drain liquid from olives and spread out on paper towels to dry.(The olives should be completely dry before wrapping with dough.)

3. 3

   Line a 10x15-inch rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Pinch off a piece of dough about the size of a walnut half. Flatten and wrap around an olive, enclosing completely. Roll to make a smooth ball. Place on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough and olives, spacing olive balls about 1 1/2 inches apart. Freeze until firm, at least 1 hour (and up to 1 month).

4. 4

   Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).

5. 5

   Bake frozen cheese balls until lightly browned and dough is set, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool 5 minutes. Serve with ranch and garnish with pepper.