Christmas Cheese Ball
This Christmas Cheese Ball that looks like Rudolph will be the cutest addition to your holiday party. This festive Christmas appetizer is made with a simple, 5 ingredient, Italian seasoned cream cheese-based cheese ball and decorated to look just like a reindeer. This simple party recipe will be a hit with kids and adults alike.
Ingredients
Cheese Ball Ingredients:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 8 ounces vegetable cream cheese, softened
- 1 tablespoon Italian Seasoning
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- 1 cup shredded Italian Cheese Blend
- 1 cup walnuts, chopped & partially crushed
Reindeer Decorations:
- 2 olives
- 1 cherry tomato
- 2 pretzels for ears
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, or a stand mixer, put the softened cream cheese, vegetable cream cheese, Italian Seasoning, onion powder, and the Italian cheese.
- Mix until well combined. Push the cheese mixture down the sides of the bowl so a ball starts forming.
- On a flat surface, lay out a large piece of plastic wrap. Sprinkle the chopped and crushed walnuts on the surface.
- Using your hands, form the cheese into a ball. Set the ball onto the walnuts on the plastic wrap. Carefully push the walnuts into the ball.
- Fold the plastic wrap around the cheeseball, making sure the walnuts coat the ball as much as possible.
- Put the ball into the fridge to chill for at least 2 hours, but up to overnight.
- When ready to serve, carefully remove the plastic wrap from the cheese ball. Decorate the Christmas Cheese Ball with the olives for eyes, cherry tomato for a nose and pretzel braids for ears.
- Serve with crackers or your favorite dippers.
Notes
Storage & Leftovers
Store any leftover of the Christmas Cheese Ball in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days.
Make Ahead
You can make this a day or two ahead of time, just assemble Rudolph decorations and face right before serving. If you do it ahead of time and put it in the fridge it will get soggy.
Freezing
Yes, You can freeze a completely made cheese ball without the Christmas toppings. Wrap it in foil and freeze it for up to three months.
Nutrition
Calories: 272kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 10gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 8gPolyunsaturated Fat: 7gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 276mgPotassium: 149mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 454IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 130mgIron: 1mg
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