Description
This Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday parties. Made with a blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses, seasoned with herbs and spices, and decorated to resemble a Christmas tree, it’s both eye-catching and delicious. Easy to prepare ahead of time, this cheese ball is sure to delight guests and add a seasonal touch to any gathering.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Mixture
- 3 x 8 ounce (225g) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- ½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ½ teaspoon salt
Decorations
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ¼ yellow bell pepper, diced
- ¼ red bell pepper, diced
- 1 tablespoon pistachios, roughly chopped (optional)
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts (optional)
- Star-shaped cheese cut from a thick slice of cheese
Instructions
- Mix the Cheese Base: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat together the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, and Monterey Jack cheeses until smooth. Add 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, Italian seasoning, black pepper, and salt. Beat again until all seasonings are fully incorporated.
- Shape and Chill: Transfer the cheese mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap. Tightly wrap and shape the mixture into a cone resembling a Christmas tree. Place it in the refrigerator and chill for at least 2-3 hours, preferably overnight, to firm up and let the flavors meld.
- Decorate the Cheese Tree: Remove the chilled cheese cone from the plastic wrap and place it on a serving plate. Lightly press chopped parsley into the surface to mimic tree needles. Dot pine nuts onto the cheese to create the look of string lights. Use diced yellow and red bell peppers and pistachios to represent ornaments decorating the tree.
- Final Touches: Fill any gaps with additional chopped parsley to give the tree a full appearance. Cut a star shape from a thick slice of cheese using a small cookie cutter and secure it to the top of the tree with a toothpick as a festive tree topper.
- Serve: Present your Christmas Tree Cheese Ball with crackers, slices of bread, or sturdy chips for dipping and spreading.
Notes
- This cheese ball appetizer is both easy to prepare and visually impressive, making it ideal for Christmas parties and holiday gatherings.
- For best flavor and easier slicing, chill the cheese ball overnight before serving.
- Feel free to customize the decorations with other nuts or colorful vegetables to suit your holiday theme.
- Serve with a variety of crackers and breads to please all guests.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 158 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 222 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 46 mg
