Christmas Cheese Ball

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American, Southern

Keyword christmas-cheese-ball-recipe, christmas-tree-cheese-ball-recipe

Prep Time 20

Chill Time 6

Total Time 6 20

Servings servings (may vary)

Calories 154kcal

1/2 cup chopped toasted pecans plus additional pecan halves for decorating the tree and the base.
6 slices bacon cooked and finely crumbled
1 pound cream cheese softened
4 ounces chive and onion cream cheese softened
1 1.0 oz packet of dry ranch salad dressing mix
1 tsp garlic salt
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 cup finely chopped green onions
1/3 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
1/3 cups chopped fresh chives
red bell peppers, pine nuts and a thick cut cheese star for the topper

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Spread the pecans on a sheet pan. Toast for 6-8 minutes then cool completely.
Cook the bacon in a large skillet until crisp. Remove to paper towels to drain, then chop.
In a medium bowl use an electric mixer to whip together both blocks of plain cream cheese, chive and onion cream cheese, ranch dressing mix, garlic salt and Worcestershire sauce. Whip until fully combined.
By hand fold in the pecans, bacon and shredded cheese. Place onto a large piece of plastic wrap and shape into a vertical tree shape. Bring the sides of the plastic wrap up around the tree and twist to close. (The tree is about 6-inches tall and about 4-inches wide at the base.)
Chill the cone-shaped cheese mixture in the fridge for at least 6-8 hours or overnight to firm.
Decorate: Mix together the parsley and chives. Just before serving press onto all sides of the tree. Decorate with bell pepper "balls" and add a thick cheese star to the top secured with a toothpick.
Serve with assorted crackers, pita chips, sliced baguette or carrot sticks, sliced cucumber and celery.

Cream Cheese: You could use an herbed goat cheese in place of chive and onion cream cheese. It should have a similar texture to cream cheese to hold together.

Shredded Cheese: You can use another flavor of shredded cheese. Pepper jack cheese for spice or colby jack cheese for a creamy mild flavor.

Alternate Decorations: You can have fun and get creative when decorating your tree. Use pomegranate seeds in place of pine nuts for the garland. You could also use cheese cut outs in festive shapes for ornaments.

Red Peppers: You could also use yellow bell peppers or orange bell peppers for ornaments.

Herbs: You could use sprigs of rosemary for branches or to form the base of the tree.

Nuts: You could use sliced almonds in place of pecan halves for decorating. I recommend sticking with the pecans for the cheese ball filling.

Dried Cranberries and Apricots: You may enjoy serving dried fruit on the side for a hint of sweet to go with the salty flavor combination.