Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
A festive and delicious Christmas Tree Cheese Ball! A Christmas appetizer made with rich cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, flavorful herbs and fresh vegetables. It’s a holiday party favorite and a tasty twist on the classic cheese ball.

#BellPeppers #CheddarCheese #CreamCheese #Dill #GarlicPowder #GreenOnions #Parsley #PineNuts #Tomatoes

Servings: 16
Ready in: 45 minutes
Prep: 45 minutes

Ingredients:
3 (8 oz each) pkgs. cream cheese, softened to room temp
16 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese*, shredded (4 cups)
3/4 cup sliced green onions (green tops only)
2 tsp dried dill or 1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
3/4 tsp garlic powder
Salt and black pepper, to taste
1 pretzel rod (optional for added stability)
3/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1 cup mini grape tomatoes or chopped red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper, 1 star cut, 1/2 cup chopped
1/2 cup pine nuts
Savory crackers, for serving

Instructions:
1. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer using a paddle attachment cream together blocks of cream cheese until smooth. Scrape down bowl.
2. Add in white cheddar cheese and green onions, then sprinkle over dill, garlic powder and season with salt and pepper to taste (I use about 1/2 tsp each but this is personal preference, saltiness of cheese may vary and you may not want as much).
3. Remove paddle then smooth mixture out into bowl in an even layer spreading mixture up the sides of the bowl as well (this is for faster more even chilling). Cover and chill 1 hour.
4. Remove mixture from fridge then cover hands with food grade gloves or wash well. Shape mixture into a tall cone shape like a "Christmas tree" if using a pretzel rod shape the mixture around the pretzel using it as the center for added stability (it should not show through anywhere). Tree should be about 10 inches tall. Place cheese "cone" on a serving plate and press down so it sticks, reshaping as needed.
5. Next add mini grape tomatoes (can cut in half if they are too large to press in) pressing them randomly over "tree" then add bell pepper pieces randomly around. Add a "ribbon" of pine nuts wrapped around the tree starting at the top, press them in so they stick well.
6. Then take a handful of parsley, tilt tree and press parsley into "tree" coating entire cheese ball. Last insert a toothpick into the bell pepper star and insert at the top of the tree.
7. Serve shortly after preparing or keep chilled in the fridge in an airtight container.

Notes:
*8 oz. sharp white cheddar with 8 oz. Havarti would also be a delicious option.
If you want a softer cheese ball let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving, though don't keep at room temp longer than 2 hours.
Another option is to warm individual leftover servings on a microwave safe dish for 10 seconds at 50 percent power to soften slightly.
Crackers not included in nutrition estimate. ...read more