Description
A festive cheese ball shaped like a Christmas tree, adorned with cranberries and pecans, perfect for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
- 1/2 cup chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Additional chopped pecans and cranberries for decoration
- Fresh parsley for garnish
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, and crumbled blue cheese.
- Beat or stir until the cheeses are well combined, smooth, and evenly incorporated.
- Add the chopped pecans, dried cranberries, chopped parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of salt and pepper.
- Mix until all ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed.
- Lay a sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the center and roughly shape it into a mound.
- Use your hands (over the plastic wrap) to mold the cheese into a cone or tree shape, pressing firmly to compact it.
- Wrap the shaped cheese tree tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until very firm.
- Once chilled, unwrap the cheese tree and place it on a plate or tray.
- Press additional chopped pecans and cranberries all over the outside of the tree to create a decorative, textured coating.
- Transfer the cheese ball tree carefully to your serving platter. Tuck fresh parsley sprigs around the base and at the top to resemble greenery.
- Refrigerate until ready to serve. Serve with crackers, baguette slices, or fresh cut vegetables.
Notes
- This cheese ball tree can be prepared a day in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- Adjust the types of cheese based on personal preference.
- For a spicier kick, add some chopped jalapeños.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/10 of cheese ball
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 350mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 40mg