Let me count the ways…
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.
Get in my belly!
I use this same recipe for my Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball 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. What’s the point? I waited all day for some cake, darn it! 😉 This recipe will not disappoint! Use it for any occasion. Merry Christmas friends!
Ingredients:
1 (8 oz.) block cream cheese, softened to room temp.
1 (8 oz.) tub vegetable cream cheese
2 tbsp. 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, sliced (to use as the star for the top of the tree, optional)
pomegranate seeds (to use as tree decoration, optional)
Check out the little video I made for this recipe below! 🙂
Directions:
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.
Enjoy!
Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz block cream cheese softened to room temp
- 1 8 oz tub vegetable cream cheese
- 2 tbsp ranch dressing mix
- 3 green onions diced
- 1 red pepper finely diced
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- handful fresh 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.
Looking for more Christmas party food inspiration? Try these easy and festive Veggie Trays!
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!