Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
Christmas tree cheese ball: cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, green onion and dill shaped into a tall tree, coated in parsley and trimmed with tomatoes, yellow pepper and pine nuts.
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Ingredients
- 24 ounces cream cheese three 8-ounce packages, softened to room temperature
- 16 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese shredded (4 cups)
- 3/4 cup green onions sliced, green tops only
- 2 teaspoons dried dill or 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
- 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper to taste
- 1 pretzel rod optional, for support
- 3/4 cup fresh parsley finely chopped
- 1 cup mini grape tomatoes or chopped red bell pepper
- 1 yellow bell pepper 1 topper cut out, 1/2 cup chopped
- 1/2 cup pine nuts
- savory crackers for serving
Instructions
- Beat the cream cheese with the paddle of a stand mixer until smooth. Scrape down the bowl.
- Add the cheddar and green onions, sprinkle over the dill and garlic powder, season with the salt and pepper and mix until combined.
- Remove the paddle and spread the mixture in an even layer in the bowl and up the sides so it chills evenly. Cover and chill 1 hour.
- With clean or gloved hands, shape the mixture into a tall cone about 10 inches high. If using a pretzel rod, shape the cheese around it as a center support so it does not show. Set the cone on a serving plate, press it down so it sticks and reshape as needed.
- Press the grape tomatoes (halved if large) and the chopped yellow pepper randomly over the tree. Wrap a ribbon of pine nuts around it from the top down, pressing them in so they stick.
- Tilt the tree and press handfuls of parsley over it until it is coated. Put the yellow pepper topper on a toothpick and push it into the top.
- Serve with crackers shortly after making it, or keep it chilled in an airtight container.
Notes
Keep chilled in an airtight container until serving; refrigerate leftovers within 2 hours.
Nutrition
Serving: 1servingCalories: 298kcalCarbohydrates: 5.3gProtein: 10gFat: 27gSodium: 395mgFiber: 0.6gSugar: 2.5g
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