Description
These Christmas Ornament Cheese Balls are the perfect festive appetizer for your holiday gatherings. Combining creamy cheeses, fresh herbs, and colorful coatings, these cheese balls are shaped to resemble ornaments, making them both delightful to look at and delicious to eat. They are a fun, easy-to-make treat that will impress your guests this Christmas season!
Ingredients
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, grated
4 ounces goat cheese, softened
1 tablespoon dried parsley
1 tablespoon garlic powder
1 tablespoon onion powder
1 teaspoon mustard powder
1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup finely chopped pecans (optional, for decoration)
Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
Edible glitter (optional)
Instructions
Mix the Cheese Base: In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, and goat cheese. Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to blend until smooth and creamy.
Season: Add the parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, mustard powder, smoked paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well until all ingredients are incorporated.
Shape the Cheese Balls: Scoop out portions of the mixture and roll them into small, ornament-sized balls (about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter).
Decorate: Roll each cheese ball in finely chopped pecans or another coating of your choice. You can also add edible glitter for a festive sparkle. Attach a small sprig of rosemary on top to mimic the ornament’s hook.
Chill: Place the cheese balls on a tray and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
Serve: Once chilled, arrange the cheese balls on a platter and serve with crackers, bread, or fresh veggies.
Notes
Customize: Feel free to swap the types of cheese used. For example, you could add some creamier cheeses like brie or mozzarella for a different texture.
Make Ahead: These cheese balls can be made a day ahead and stored in the fridge, making them a great option for holiday parties.
Alternative Coatings: If you don’t want to use nuts, try rolling the cheese balls in crushed pretzels or even dried cranberries for a unique twist.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 MIN
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook, Chilled
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese ball
- Calories: 120 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg