This Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Ball is the hit of every holiday party. It looks pretty, it's simple to make and it tastes amazing too!
A DELICIOUS HOLIDAY INSPIRED CHEESEBALL
I love a good cheese ball. Seriously. And as easy as they are to make, it's kinda hard to find one that tastes really good. Right? I've bought tons from the store over the years and never really found one to get excited about. I've also made a few from a number of recipes and they were okay. But it wasn't until I really started experimenting that I hit upon 'THE ONE' that I love.
A VERSATILE CHEESEBALL RECIPE
I use this same recipe for my PUMPKIN-SHAPED CHEESEBALL but I wanted to show you just how versatile it is. It's not only pretty and easy to make but it actually tastes amazing! Don't get me wrong, it's nice when food looks cute but none of that matters unless it tastes good. You know what I mean? Kinda like wedding cakes. Some can look gorgeous - then you dig into them and they are dry and stale. This recipe will not disappoint! Use it for any occasion.
INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (FULL RECIPE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE POST)
cream cheese
vegetable cream cheese
ranch dressing mix
green onions
red pepper
sharp cheddar cheese
fresh curly parsley
star fruit
pomegranate seeds
HOW TO MAKE THIS EASY CHRISTMAS TREE-SHAPED CHEESE BALL:
Using an electric or stand mixer, combine both cream cheeses.
Stir in 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing mix, green onion, red pepper and shredded cheddar cheese.
Mmmm...I love this stuff!
Spread out a large sheet of plastic wrap. Sprinkle half the chopped parsley onto the plastic wrap.
Top with cheese ball mixture.
Take the rest of the chopped parsley and sprinkle it onto the tops and sides of the cheese ball and wrap it up well with cling wrap.
Gently form the cheese ball into a cone (tree) shape. If the mixture is too soft, pop it into the refrigerator for about an hour, then try again. Once formed, place the cheese ball into the fridge for a minimum of two hours (overnight is best.) Not only do the flavors get better as it sits, but as the mixture cools, it will help it to keep the tree shape. When ready to serve, carefully remove the cling wrap.
Then add on a slice of star fruit to the top. And dot the tree with pomegranate seeds (gently pushing them into the cheese ball.) Serve with your favorite buttery crackers.
CRAVING MORE? GIVE THESE RECIPES A TRY!
Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 8 ounce block cream cheese softened to room temperature
- 8 ounce tub vegetable cream cheese
- 2 tablespoons ranch dressing mix
- 3 green onions diced
- 1 red pepper finely diced
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- handful fresh curly parsley, finely chopped
- star fruit (to use as the star for the top of the tree), sliced (optional)
- pomegranate seeds (to use as tree decoration), optional
Instructions
- Using an electric or stand mixer, combine both cream cheeses.
- Stir in 2 tablespoons of ranch dressing mix, green onion, red pepper and shredded cheddar cheese.
- Spread out a large sheet of plastic wrap.
- Sprinkle half the chopped parsley onto the plastic wrap.
- Top with cheese ball mixture.
- Take the rest of the chopped parsley and sprinkle it onto the tops and sides of the cheese ball and wrap it up well with cling wrap.
- Gently form the cheese ball into a cone (tree) shape. If the mixture is too soft, pop it into the refrigerator for about an hour, then try again.
- Once formed, place the cheese ball into the fridge for a minimum of two hours (overnight is best.) Not only do the flavors get better as it sits, but as the mixture cools, it will help it to keep the tree shape.
- When ready to serve, carefully remove the cling wrap.
- Then add on the slice of star fruit to the top. And dot the tree with pomegranate seeds (gently pushing them into the cheese ball)
- Serve with your favorite buttery crackers.
Video
Nutrition
Nutritional Disclaimer
“The Country Cook” is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is an estimate. If calorie count and other nutritional values are important to you, we recommend running the ingredients through whichever online nutritional calculator you prefer. Calories can vary quite a bit depending on which brands were used.
ELLEN
Hello,
What can you substitute to tub vegetable cream cheese and ranch dressing mix because it’s not available in our country. Thanks.
Ellen
Linda
THE BEST MOST AMAZING CHEESE BALL ON THE PLANET!! I made this for a family get together on the 23rd...we are still talking about this lump of deliciousness. I was too lazy to shape it into the Christmas tree shape, so "sadly" mine was just a ball...oh what a ball it was!! Thank you so much for sharing this incredible recipe and making me a rockstar with the in-laws!
Laurie
I made this for our Halloween Potluck at work. Everyone loved it! I had to share the recipe.
jeanne alexander
Thanks for such a neat cheese ball.....I made 3 of them for parties next week and need 3 more! What a great hostess gift!