Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ozcream cheese
softened to room temperature
- 4 ozgoat cheese
softened to room temperature
- 4 ozfeta cheese
softened to room temperature
- 1 cfinely shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1 tspgarlic powder
- 1 tsponion powder
- 1 tsporange zest
- 2 tbspfinely chopped fresh parsley
- 2 tbspfinely chopped fresh dill
- ½ tspsalt
- ¼ tspblack pepper
- ½ cdried cranberries
finely chopped
- ¼ cfinely chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ cfinely chopped fresh dill
- pine nuts
optional
- pomegranate arils
- slice of cheddar cheese for the star
white or yellow
Directions
Mix the cheese ball:
- 1
Add softened cream cheese, goat cheese, and feta to a mixing bowl and beat with a hand mixer until creamy and well combined.
- 2
Add in the white cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, orange zest, parsley, dill, salt, and pepper and mix to combine. Add the cranberries, mixing again to combine. Don’t over-mix once the cranberries are added, or they will break up too much.
- 3
Cover and refrigerate the mixture for 30-60 minutes before shaping it.
Shape the cheese ball:
- 1
Lay two long pieces of plastic wrap out on the counter in a cross shape.
- 2
Scrape the cheese mixture out of the bowl and onto the center of the plastic wrap. Wrap the plastic up and over the cheese mixture and use your hands to form it into a cone/Christmas tree shape.
Coat the cheese ball:
- 1
In a small bowl, mix together the finely chopped parsley and dill.
- 2
Remove the plastic wrap from the cheese ball. Use your hands to gently press the chopped herbs all around the tree until it is well covered.
- 3
Press the pine nuts into the tree to make a garland, then press the pomegranate seeds into the tree at random for ornaments.
- 4
Using a mini star-shaped cookie cutter (or a knife), cut a star shape out of a ¼-inch thick piece of cheddar. Insert a toothpick into the bottom, then insert the other end of the toothpick into the cheese ball.
- 5
Serve it right away or refrigerate until ready to serve.
Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
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About this Recipe
Searching for a show-stopping holiday appetizer that's both easy to create and undeniably delicious? This festive Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is designed to be the sparkling centerpiece of your festive spread, bringing joy and flavor in every creamy bite.
What sets this cheese ball apart is its artful blend of four distinct cheeses: creamy cream cheese, tangy goat cheese, salty feta, and sharp white cheddar. This quartet delivers a complex flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting. Infused with fresh parsley and dill, along with savory garlic and onion powders and a hint of bright orange zest, it's a symphony of holiday flavors that truly stands out from ordinary cheese balls.
Prepare for a wonderfully smooth and spreadable cheese ball, offering a delightful interplay of textures and tastes. Each mouthful is a burst of creamy, savory goodness, punctuated by the sweet-tart chewiness of dried cranberries and the subtle aromatic freshness of herbs. The exterior is coated in a vibrant mix of more fresh parsley and dill, studded with a 'garland' of buttery pine nuts and 'ornaments' of juicy pomegranate arils, adding both visual appeal and a delightful crunch. It's a truly delicious and visually stunning centerpiece for your holiday table that’s remarkably simple to assemble.
This Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is incredibly versatile, allowing for simple customizations to suit your preferences. If you prefer a less tangy profile, you could slightly reduce the goat cheese or feta and increase the cream cheese or cheddar. You can easily swap out the pine nuts for toasted chopped walnuts or pecans if you prefer a different nut. For an extra pop of color in the coating, a sprinkle of finely chopped red bell pepper alongside the pomegranate arils works beautifully.
This charming appetizer is absolutely ideal for any holiday gathering, from a casual Christmas Eve get-together to a more formal holiday party. Present it proudly with a platter of crisp crackers—especially our homemade Christmas Tree Crackers—and perhaps some fresh vegetable sticks for dipping, allowing guests to effortlessly scoop up the delicious, herby cheese.