Bite-sized cheddar dough-encased olives, baked until golden and served on skewers for festive, shareable party bites.
# What You'll Need:
→ Cheese dough
01 - 1 cup all-purpose flour (about 120 g)
02 - 2 cups sharp cheddar, shredded (about 200 g)
03 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick, about 115 g)
04 - 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper (optional)
05 - 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
06 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
→ Filling
07 - 24 large green olives, pitted (for example Spanish Manzanilla)
→ Assembly
08 - 24 appetizer-sized skewers or toothpicks
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat the oven to 400°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper so finished items bake on a nonstick surface.
02 - In a medium mixing bowl, combine the flour, shredded cheddar, softened butter, cayenne (if using), smoked paprika, and salt. Work the mixture with your hands or a spatula until it comes together into a soft, uniform dough.
03 - Pat the dough into a rough rectangle on a clean surface and cut into 24 equal pieces (about 1 tablespoon each) so portions bake evenly.
04 - Flatten each portion in your palm, center one pitted olive on the dough, then wrap and pinch the edges to seal completely. Roll each sealed piece into a smooth ball.
05 - Place the cheese balls on the prepared sheet with slight spacing. For neater seams and firmer shape, chill the tray in the refrigerator for 10 minutes before baking (optional).
06 - Bake the balls for 16–18 minutes, rotating the sheet once if your oven heats unevenly, until the surface is golden and the dough feels set to the touch. Remove and let rest for 5 minutes.
07 - Thread each warm ball onto a skewer or toothpick, arrange on a platter, and serve immediately warm or at room temperature.
