Description
A festive and flavorful Christmas Tree Cheeseball that’s perfect for holiday gatherings. This creamy and cheesy appetizer features a blend of cream cheese, cheddar, pimientos, and seasonings, shaped into a Christmas tree and beautifully garnished with cherry tomatoes, parsley, sliced almonds, and a star-shaped yellow pepper. Serve with assorted crackers and pretzels for a delightful party treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
- 4 green onions, chopped
- 1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
Garnish
- 12 cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds
- 1 yellow pepper, chopped and cut into a star shape
- Assorted crackers and pretzels, for serving
Instructions
- Mix Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, drained diced pimientos, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper until all ingredients are fully combined and evenly mixed.
- Chill Mixture: Cover the cheese mixture tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. This chilling step firms up the mixture, making it easier to shape and allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Shape Cheeseball: After chilling, remove the mixture from the refrigerator. Using your hands, roll and press the mixture into the shape of a Christmas tree on a serving platter. Make sure the shape is firm and well-defined.
- Add Garnishes: Decorate the cheeseball by first pressing the halved cherry tomatoes onto the tree to resemble ornaments. Next, sprinkle the finely chopped parsley all over to create a fresh ‘foliage’ look. Add the sliced almonds over the surface for texture, and finally, place the yellow pepper star at the top of the tree as the star topper.
- Serve: Serve the Christmas Tree Cheeseball with assorted crackers and pretzels on the side for dipping and spreading. This appetizer is ready to enjoy at holiday parties and family gatherings.
Notes
- Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened for easier mixing.
- Chilling the mixture for at least one hour is essential for shaping.
- For a dairy-free option, substitute cream cheese and cheddar with plant-based alternatives.
- Use fresh parsley and ripe cherry tomatoes for the best garnish appearance and flavor.
- Can be prepared a day ahead and refrigerated to save time on the day of the event.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of cheeseball with crackers
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
