Christmas Cheese Ball Tree
If you’re looking for christmas appetizer ideas, this christmas cheese ball is perfect for you! Not only is it incredibly cute to look at, it’s also a delicious treat that everyone will enjoy.
This christmas appetizer will be a hit with anyone who loves cream cheese dips. It has a great blend of flavors and pairs well with an assortment of crackers. You can even serve it with celery sticks, baby carrots and sweet peppers for a healthier option.
Christmas Cheese Tree Variations
This christmas cheese ball recipe is inspired by mediterranean flavors. If you’re looking for something diferent, here are some other combinations to try:
- Italian-inspired: Sundried tomatoes, basil, olives, parmesan cheese, pine nuts, salami, along with cream cheese
- Mexican-inspired: Pickled jalapenos, corn, onion, tomato, cilantro, along with cream cheese
- American BBQ-inspired: Crispy bacon, cheddar cheese, candied pecans, dill pickles, along with cream cheese
- Middle Eastern-inspired: Roasted bell peppers, olives, pistachio, harissa, along with cream cheese
Garnish the christmas tree with parsley, dill, scallions or a combination or all three.
Christmas Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- Cheese: Room temperature/softened Philadelphia style cream cheese and crumbled feta cheese make the perfect base
- Herbs: Fresh parsley and dill are a great combination in this recipe. Dried oregano adds great flavor too
- Olives: Green, black or kalamatta olives can be used
- Cranberries: Dried cranberries balance out the saltiness of the cheese and olives
- Garlic: Fresh minced garlic adds flavor and aroma
- Black pepper: Freshly cracked black pepper adds some warmth and spice
How to make Christmas Cheese Ball
- Finely chop parsley, dill, olives, dried cranberries and garlic. Set aside half of the dill and parsley for garnishing the tree
- To a bowl add softened cream cheese, feta cheese, all the chopped ingredients, dried oregano and black pepper. Mix everything until it forms a homogenous mixture. Taste and adjust the mix as needed
- Add the cheese mix onto your serving plate and mould it into a christmas tree. You can use gloves or lightly wet your hands to shape them. Smooth out the edges with a spatula until you are happy with the shape
- Gently press the remaining finely chopped dill and parsley all over the tree. Dot the tree with dried cranberries to resemble ornaments. Add a star made of yellow bell pepper to make it look extra festive! Serve with crackers, pita chips, celery sticks, baby carrots, sweet peppers or nachos
FAQ
How to make christmas cheese balls ahead of time?
The cream cheese mix can be stored in the refrigerator for upto 3 days. On the day you plan to serve, allow the cream cheese mix to soften and shape it into a tree and garnish on your serving plate.
What to serve with christmas cheese balls?
They can be served with crackers, pita chips, celery sticks, baby carrots, sweet peppers and nachos.
What else can be used to decorate the cheese ball?
If you want to skip on the herbs, chopped nuts, olives, cranberries can be used to decorate the cheese balls.
Christmas Meal Ideas
Creamy garlic chicken
Shrimp in tomato sauce
Shrimp alfredo
Christmas Cheese Ball
INGREDIENTS
- 16 oz/450g cream cheese (room temperature)
- 4 oz/110g feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1/2 cup parsley (finely chopped, divided)
- 1/4 cup dill (finely chopped, divided)
- 20 olives
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1-2 tsp garlic (minced)
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
- Finely chop parsley, dill, olives, dried cranberries and garlic. Set aside half of the dill and parsley for garnishing the tree.
- To a bowl add softened cream cheese, feta cheese, all the chopped ingredients, dried oregano and black pepper. Mix everything until it forms a homogenous mixture. Taste and adjust the mix as needed.
- Add the cheese mix onto your serving plate and mould it into a Christmas tree. You can use gloves or lightly wet your hands to shape them. Smooth out the edges with a spatula until you are happy with the shape.
- Gently press the remaining finely chopped dill and parsley all over the tree. Dot the tree with dried cranberries to resemble ornaments. Add a star made of yellow bell pepper to make it look extra festive! Serve with crackers, pita chips, celery sticks, baby carrots, sweet peppers or nachos.
NOTES
- For meal prep: The cream cheese mix can be prepped and stored in the refrigerator for upto 3 days. On the day you plan to serve, allow the cream cheese mix to soften and shape it into a tree on your serving plate.
- Garnish options: If you want to skip on the herbs, chopped nuts, olives, cranberries can be used to decorate the cheese balls.
