Chef notes
Move aside, Pinterest recipes and over-the-top charcuterie spreads. This Christmas Tree-shaped cheese ball will be the hit of your holiday party. A simple blend of cream cheese and herbs transforms into a show stopping appetizer for holiday parties with just a little bit of creativity, perfect for getting “oohs” and “aahs” from even your hardest-to-please guests.
This cute idea from chef Alejandra Ramos starts by putting some softened cream cheese into a mixing bowl, along with some shredded cheese (varieties like cheddar or asiago work well); a mix of fresh herbs like chives and parsley; spices such as salt, pepper, lemon zest and garlic; and a splash of heavy cream.
Mix all of the ingredients together until well-blended before transferring to a cake platter or serving tray and shaping. Once the “tree” shape is finished, you can decorate it by pressing the chopped parsley all over the tree to make it look green, and adding the “ornaments” by gently studding it with pomegranate arils, pine nuts and rosemary sprigs around the tree in a desired pattern.
Top with a cut-out pepper or cheese star garnish. With an appetizer this adorable, some guests might be a bit too shy to dig in, so you might have to be the first one to help yourself to get the party started!
Swap Option: Have fun with it! Feel free to swap in your favorite soft and creamy cheeses or a different mixture of herbs to achieve the green hue.
Technique Tip: Coat your hands with olive oil, dip in water or wrap with plastic wrap in order to shape the cheese and prevent it from sticking to your hands.
Dining and Cooking