Holiday Cheese Balls
 
 
Holiday Cheese Balls that can be turned into multiple appetizers! Easy, yummy, and so versatile!
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizer / Holiday
Cuisine: American
Ingredients
  • 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
  • 8 oz. sharp white cheddar, shredded
  • 8 oz. plain goat cheese, crumbled
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 cup nuts (pecan, almond, or pine nuts), toasted and chopped
  • 1 cup dried cranberries, chopped
  • salt & pepper
For the Snowman
  • Extra shredded white cheddar
  • Whole black peppercorns
  • A small piece of carrot
  • 2 (thyme or rosemary) sprigs
For the Christmas Tree
  • Parsley leaves
  • Pine nuts
  • A slice of star fruit
Instructions
  1. In a bowl, mix all the cheeses with a fork. (You can use a mixer, but a fork works fine as long as the cheeses have been softened.)
  2. Sauté onion in olive oil, over medium heat, until completely soft, about 5 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and cook for 2 more minutes.
  4. Let onion and garlic cool slightly before adding to the cheese mixture.
  5. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix to blend.
  6. Add salt & pepper to taste.
  7. Divide cheese mixture into two equal parts. Use one part to make the Snowman, and the other the Christmas tree.
To make the snowman
  1. Form cheese into 2 balls, one slightly larger than the other. Use plastic wrap to aid in forming the balls. Place the balls in the refrigerator for about half an hour to firm them up.
  2. Roll the balls into shredded white cheddar cheese to cover the entire surface. Stack the smaller ball on top of the bigger one, securing with toothpicks (see how-to photos above).
  3. Use the herb sprigs for the arms, carrot for the nose, and black peppercorns for the eyes, mouth, and buttons.
To make the Christmas tree
  1. Form the cheese into a cone.
  2. Place in the refrigerator to firm up.
  3. Roll into parsley leaves or arrange leaves in a pattern, pressing leaves slightly into the cheese.
  4. Stick clusters of nuts in between the leaves.
  5. Decorate top with a slice of star fruit.
Notes
This recipe makes 1 Snowman and 1 Christmas Tree, both about 6 inches tall.
Recipe by Fiesta Friday at https://fiestafriday.net/2015/12/25/holiday-cheese-balls/