This cheese ball is the centerpiece of the Christmas appetizer table. Cream cheese, sharp cheddar and ranch seasoning are shaped into a cone, rolled in chopped parsley so it looks like a green tree, and decorated with diced red pepper, a yellow pepper star and halved cherry tomatoes. Serve it with crackers and watch everyone take a picture before they cut into it.
Why You’ll Love It
- Make it a day ahead.
- Six ingredients.
- The centerpiece of the appetizer table.
What You Need
- 16 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese (finely shredded)
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup fresh parsley (finely chopped)
- 1/2 red bell pepper (diced small)
- 1 yellow bell pepper (for the star)
- 6 cherry tomatoes (halved)
- crackers (for serving)
How to Make Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
- Beat the cream cheese, cheddar and ranch seasoning until smooth.
- Scrape onto plastic wrap and shape into a cone. Wrap and chill 2 hours until firm.
- Unwrap and set on a platter. Press the chopped parsley all over so the tree is green.
- Press diced red pepper on as ornaments and set cherry tomato halves on like baubles.
- Cut a star from the yellow pepper with a small cookie cutter and set it on top. Serve with crackers.
Tips
- Shred the cheddar yourself; bagged cheese makes a grainy ball.
- A pretzel rod pushed into the base makes a trunk.
- Chop the parsley very fine so it sticks.
- Chill again 30 minutes after decorating so it holds its shape.
Serving and Storing
Make a day ahead and decorate before serving. Leftovers keep 4 days in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use dried herbs?
Fresh parsley gives the green color; dried turns dark.
What else can decorate it?
Pomegranate seeds, pimento-stuffed olives or diced red pepper.
Can I freeze it?
Yes, the undecorated cheese ball freezes for a month.
Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
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Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
- 1 packet (1 oz) ranch seasoning mix
- 1 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper diced small
- 1 yellow bell pepper for the star
- 6 cherry tomatoes halved
- crackers for serving
Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese, cheddar and ranch seasoning until smooth.
- Scrape onto plastic wrap and shape into a cone. Wrap and chill 2 hours until firm.
- Unwrap and set on a platter. Press the chopped parsley all over so the tree is green.
- Press diced red pepper on as ornaments and set cherry tomato halves on like baubles.
- Cut a star from the yellow pepper with a small cookie cutter and set it on top. Serve with crackers.
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