Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
20 standard portions
Source field check Β· Original source retained
Dietary & allergen details
Based on listed recipe ingredients. No certification is implied.
- Celery: not fully checked
- Gluten-containing cereals: not fully checked
- Wheat: not fully checked
- Crustaceans: not fully checked
- Eggs: not fully checked
- Fish: not fully checked
- Lupin: not fully checked
- Milk: not fully checked
- Molluscs: not fully checked
- Mustard: not fully checked
- Tree nuts: not fully checked
- Peanuts: not fully checked
- Sesame: not fully checked
- Soya: not fully checked
- Sulphites: not fully checked
Check the actual product labels and preparation. Substitutions can change this information.
Ingredients
- 3 x 8 ounce/(225g) packages cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- Β½ cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
- Β½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- Β½ teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- ΒΌ of each yellow and red bell peppers (diced)
- 1 tablespoon pistachios (roughly chopped, optional)
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts (optional)
Method
- In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat together the cheeses, then add in the parsley and seasonings and beat until well combined.
- Transfer the mixture onto plastic wrap, tightly cover and shape into a cone. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, and preferably overnight.
- Transfer the cheese ball cone onto a serving plate to decorate. Lightly press some of the parsley into the cheese, then dot the pine nuts to create a string light effect. Decorate next with bell pepper pieces and pistachio nuts to resemble baubles or ornaments.
- Press in the remaining parsley to fill in any gaps. Then cut a star from a thick slice of cheese using a small cookie cutter. I attached it to the top of the tree with a toothpick to keep it secure.
- Serve with crackers, bread, or sturdy chips.