Description
This festive Cheese Ball Wreath recipe creates delightful mini cheese balls made with creamy cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and a blend of savory seasonings. Rolled in colorful toppings like dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and fresh herbs, these bite-sized cheese balls are arranged into a beautiful Christmas wreath shape, making a perfect appetizer for holiday gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Mixture
- 2 8-ounce blocks of cream cheese
- 2 Tbsp salted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (white cheddar, Monterey Jack, etc.)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 pinch black pepper
Toppings
- 1 cup dried cranberries (finely chopped)
- 1 cup chopped nuts
- 1/3 cup fresh herbs (diced: sage, rosemary, bay leaves, basil)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: Using a food processor or electric mixer, combine the softened cream cheese along with softened butter, shredded cheese, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until fully blended and smooth. Ensuring the cream cheese is at room temperature makes mixing easy and results in a creamy texture.
- Form Mini Cheese Balls: Lightly spritz your hands with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Using a small cookie scoop, portion out the cheese mixture and roll it into small balls. If the mixture becomes too soft, cover it and refrigerate for a few minutes to firm up.
- Prepare Toppings: On shallow plates, spread out the finely chopped dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and fresh herbs. Use a food processor to achieve fine chopping for even coating.
- Coat the Cheese Balls: Roll each mini cheese ball in the various toppings, ensuring they are evenly coated for a colorful and flavorful exterior.
- Assemble the Wreath: Arrange the mini cheese balls in a circular wreath shape on a round platter. Tuck in fresh herb leaves such as sage, rosemary, bay leaves, and basil around and within the wreath to enhance the festive look.
- Serve: Present the wreath with toothpicks, crackers, and pretzels for serving. The cheese balls make a delicious and visually appealing holiday appetizer.
Notes
- A delicious Christmas appetizer, these mini cheese balls are rolled in colorful toppings like fresh herbs and dried cranberries for a festive look and tangy flavor.
- Using room temperature cream cheese and butter helps the mixture blend smoothly and makes shaping easier.
- If the mixture gets too soft to handle, refrigerate briefly to firm up before rolling.
- Feel free to vary toppings with your favorite nuts or dried fruits for different flavor profiles.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 264 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0.1 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 13 g
- Cholesterol: 21 mg
