If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and downright delicious appetizer to wow your guests, this Snowman Cheeseball Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how this turns out—it’s creamy, flavorful, and so charming on the table that it becomes an instant conversation starter. Whether for holiday parties or cozy winter get-togethers, you’ll find that this recipe is surprisingly simple but makes a big impact.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun: Your guests will adore the snowman design—it’s as cute to look at as it is tasty to eat.
- Simple Ingredients: You likely have most of the ingredients right in your fridge or pantry already.
- Perfect for Keto and Low-Carb: Packed with cheese and healthy fats, it’s a great crowd-pleaser for special diets.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: You can prep it hours in advance, making party day stress-free.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The ingredients in this Snowman Cheeseball Recipe come together in the most delightful way—rich sharp cheddar combines with smooth cream cheese and a few aromatic touches for a flavor that’s hard to beat. Pro tip: using fresh herbs and good-quality cheese will really elevate the taste!
- Cabot Seriously Sharp White Cheddar: Sharp cheddar adds a punch of flavor and the perfect texture when grated fresh.
- Cream cheese: Softened cream cheese makes the base smooth and creamy without overpowering the cheddar.
- Butter: Adds richness and helps with spreadability—make sure it’s softened.
- Garlic: Minced fresh garlic brings a savory depth that I find absolutely essential.
- Fresh chopped parsley: Adds a fresh, herby note and a touch of color.
- Onion powder: Provides a subtle sweetness and savory complexity without the sharpness of raw onion.
- Kosher salt: Enhances all the flavors—don’t skip or reduce this.
- Cracked black pepper: Adds a little bite and brightness to the cheeseball.
- Whole peppercorns: For decorating the snowman’s eyes, mouth, and buttons—fun and simple!
- Thin baby carrot: Perfect for the nose, it’s sweet and crunchy, just like a classic snowman’s carrot.
- Rosemary sprigs: Used as “arms” and bring a lovely pine-like aroma that feels so festive.
Variations
I love to give this Snowman Cheeseball Recipe a little personal twist depending on the occasion and who I’m serving. Feel free to customize it with your favorite herbs, spices, or add-ins—it’s surprisingly flexible!
- Herb Mix: I’ve swapped parsley for chives or dill for a different herbal flavor, and it always turns out great.
- Add-ins: Try adding finely chopped nuts or diced jalapeño for texture and a subtle kick.
- Dairy Variations: If you want a tangier cheeseball, swap half the cream cheese for goat cheese.
- Seasonal Touches: Around Thanksgiving, I sprinkle in a bit of sage or pumpkin spice for festive vibes.
How to Make Snowman Cheeseball Recipe
Step 1: Grate Your Cheddar Cheese
I always find that grating the cheddar fresh with the small holes on a box grater gives the best texture. It melts into the cream cheese mixture perfectly and adds little bursts of sharpness. If you have a food processor with a grating blade, that works wonders too and saves time!
Step 2: Mix the Cheeseball Base
Beat the softened cream cheese and butter in a large bowl until smooth and creamy. Then, mix in half the grated cheddar, garlic, parsley, onion powder, salt, and pepper. This base packs in all the flavor, so don’t be shy with the garlic and herbs. I learned the hard way that under-seasoning makes the cheeseball a bit bland, so taste your mixture as you go.
Step 3: Shape and Chill Your Snowman
Divide the mixture into two portions—two-thirds for the body and one-third for the head. Lightly grease your hands with olive or avocado oil to prevent sticking, then roll into smooth balls. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and pop them in the fridge for at least 2 hours. This step is a game changer; chilling helps the balls firm up, so when you coat them later, they don’t fall apart.
Step 4: Coat and Assemble Your Snowman
Once chilled, unwrap the balls and gently roll them in the remaining cheddar to coat the outside. Place the larger ball on your serving platter first. Then, carefully insert two toothpicks halfway into the top of the big ball and stack the smaller ball on top, securing it in place. This is where your snowman starts coming to life!
Step 5: Decorate Your Snowman
Use the whole peppercorns for the eyes, mouth, and buttons on the body. Cut the tip off the thin baby carrot for that perfect little snowman nose, and insert rosemary sprigs as arms—these bring a lovely festive touch and subtle pine fragrance to the presentation. I like to use any leftover grated cheese around the base as “snow”—it’s such a cute finishing touch!
Pro Tips for Making Snowman Cheeseball Recipe
- Room Temperature Serving: Serve the cheeseball at room temp so it’s easier to spread—cold cheese balls can be tough to scoop.
- Use Oil on Hands: Lightly oiling your hands before rolling helps keep the mixture from sticking and makes shaping smooth.
- Chill Thoroughly: Don’t rush the chilling step; this helps the cheeseball hold its shape during assembly and serving.
- Avoid Overhandling: Try not to warm the cheese by over-handling; cold hands or quick work means your snowman stays neat.
How to Serve Snowman Cheeseball Recipe
Garnishes
I stick with classic garnishes—whole peppercorns for facial features and buttons, fresh rosemary sprigs for arms, and that adorable baby carrot nose. They’re simple but so effective in creating a festive look! Plus, the rosemary’s aroma really complements the savory cheeseball.
Side Dishes
This snowman pairs beautifully with crunchy crackers, celery sticks, and colorful bell pepper strips. I love serving it with a platter of charcuterie meats too—makes for a full holiday appetizer spread everyone will appreciate.
Creative Ways to Present
One of my favorite presentation ideas is to set the snowman on a platter dusted with extra grated cheese or chopped nuts “snow” and scatter some pomegranate seeds or cranberries around for pops of color. I’ve even added a tiny scarf made from a thin strip of red bell pepper for a whimsical touch that kids love.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually wrap leftover cheeseball tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the fridge. Keeping it chilled preserves the freshness and texture. When I’ve done this, the flavor stays just as vibrant for a couple of days afterward, and it’s convenient for serving again later!
Freezing
Freezing cheeseballs is a bit tricky—cream cheese and butter don’t always thaw with the same creamy texture. I’ve tried freezing this Snowman Cheeseball Recipe, and while it’s possible, the texture is best right after making it fresh or refrigerated. If you freeze it, thaw slowly in the fridge and expect a slight change in texture.
Reheating
This isn’t a dish you warm up traditionally. Instead, just let it sit out at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes before serving—this softens the cheese perfectly and makes it a dream to spread on your crackers or veggies.
FAQs
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Can I make the Snowman Cheeseball Recipe dairy-free or vegan?
This recipe relies heavily on cream cheese and sharp cheddar, so it’s tricky to make completely dairy-free without changing the texture and flavor significantly. However, you can experiment with vegan cream cheese and plant-based shredded cheese alternatives if you want a similar presentation—just expect a different taste and consistency.
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How long can I make the cheeseball ahead of time?
You can make the cheeseball up to 24 hours in advance and keep it wrapped tightly in the fridge. Just assemble it the day before or the morning of your event, and it will hold up beautifully.
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What should I serve with the Snowman Cheeseball?
Crackers, sliced vegetables like celery and bell peppers, and woven with charcuterie selections are my go-to sides. They provide the perfect vessels to scoop up this creamy and flavorful cheeseball.
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Any tips for shaping the cheeseball if it’s too sticky?
A quick trick I learned is to lightly oil your hands with olive or avocado oil before rolling the balls. If the mixture is sticking too much, refrigerate it a bit longer to firm up—this helps maintain smooth, clean shapes for your snowman.
Final Thoughts
This Snowman Cheeseball Recipe has become one of my absolute favorites for holiday celebrations. It’s easy, fun, and makes such a charming centerpiece that guests always ask for the recipe. I know you’ll enjoy the creamy, cheddar-packed flavor and the festive presentation as much as my family does. So go ahead—give it a try, and watch your winter parties light up with smiles and delicious bites!
Print
Snowman Cheeseball Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Carb
Description
This easy snowman cheeseball is a charming and festive appetizer perfect for winter celebrations. Made with sharp cheddar, cream cheese, butter, and flavorful seasonings, it is shaped into a cute snowman garnished with peppercorns for eyes and buttons, a carrot nose, and rosemary arms. Simple to prepare and delightful to serve, this cheeseball is sure to be a standout centerpiece on any party table.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 8 ounces Cabot Seriously Sharp White Cheddar (divided)
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- ¼ cup butter (softened)
- 4 cloves garlic (minced)
- 2 tbsp fresh chopped parsley
- 1 tsp onion powder
- ¾ tsp kosher salt
- ½ tsp cracked black pepper
Garnishes
- 10 whole peppercorns
- 1 thin baby carrot
- 2 rosemary sprigs
Instructions
- Grate the cheddar: Using the small holes of a box grater or a food processor with a grating blade, grate the cheddar cheese and set half aside for coating later.
- Mix the cheese base: In a large bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and butter until smooth and well combined. Stir in half of the grated cheddar, minced garlic, chopped parsley, onion powder, kosher salt, and cracked black pepper until evenly mixed.
- Shape the snowman: Divide the mixture into two portions with about two thirds reserved for the body and one third for the head. Lightly grease your hands with olive or avocado oil, then roll each portion into balls. Wrap each ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours to firm up.
- Coat the cheeseballs: After chilling, unwrap the balls and roll each in the remaining grated cheddar to coat thoroughly.
- Assemble the snowman: Place the larger ball on a serving platter. Insert two toothpicks about halfway into the top to secure the smaller ball on top, forming the snowman’s head.
- Add facial features and buttons: Use whole peppercorns pressed into the head to create eyes and a mouth, and line some peppercorns down the body as buttons.
- Add nose and arms: Cut the tip off the thin baby carrot to form the snowman’s nose and press it into the face. Strip most leaves off the rosemary sprigs and press them in as the snowman’s arms.
- Final touches and serving: Spread any leftover grated cheddar around the base as ‘snow.’ Serve the cheeseball at room temperature for easier scooping and enjoying.
Notes
- This cheeseball is the perfect keto-friendly appetizer for winter gatherings.
- The festive snowman shape makes it an adorable centerpiece on any holiday buffet table.
- Make sure to serve at room temperature to allow easy scooping and optimal flavor.
- You can lightly grease hands with olive or avocado oil to prevent sticking while shaping the balls.
- Prep ahead by chilling the balls for at least 2 hours before assembly.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tbsp
- Calories: 177 kcal
- Sugar: 0.3 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 14.7 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 1.6 g
- Fiber: 0.1 g
- Protein: 5.8 g
- Cholesterol: 38 mg
