Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

A festive and delicious Christmas Tree Cheese Ball! A Christmas appetizer made with rich cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, flavorful herbs and fresh vegetables. It’s a holiday party favorite and a tasty twist on the classic cheese ball.

A Fun Christmas Appetizer Recipe

This eye catching Christmas tree cheese ball is decorated with plenty of earthy green minced fresh parsley, dotted with tiny red tomatoes and yellow bell pepper pieces, its swirled with a ribbon of pine nuts, then finished with a vibrant golden bell pepper star practically shining atop.

It’s a holiday classic with a sophisticated upgrade thanks to its enhancements of herby flavors and fresh vegetables (or technically fruits), the welcomed bold white cheddar goodness, a pine nut finish, and its impressive unique appearance. No boring typical rounded shape plus pecan coating here.

And even though it’s quite large this savory treat will be devoured in no time. This charming centerpiece will be a highlight of your gathering and a new striking way you’ll want to make the holiday cheese ball every year!

Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Recipe Ingredients and Substitutes

• Cream cheese: I recommend Philadelphia brand as it has a great flavor and consistency, not wet or runny.
• White cheddar: In a pinch you could just use yellow (or what looks orange) sharp cheddar cheddar. Use a soft cheddar not the more firm blocks from the deli.
• Green onions: Only use the greens of the onions not the harsher, crunchier white portions.
• Dried dill: Fresh dill will work great too, just use 1 Tbsp.
• Garlic powder: For bolder flavor you could use 1 1/2 tsp fresh garlic just mince it very fine.
• Grape tomatoes: The tiny tomatoes aren’t always available, if so you can just use chopped red bell pepper in it’s place.
• Pretzel rod: This is optional. It just adds a little extra stability to the tree so you can make it nice and tall.
• Fresh parsley: I use flat leaf parsley (not curly) here for best flavor and rich green appearance.
• Yellow bell pepper: This is used for both the “lights” and “star” of the tree.
• Pine nuts: If preferred you could use sliced almonds in their place.
• Crackers: These are used for serving. I just like to serve with the extra crisp mini wheat cracker squares.

How to Make a Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

Here’s a summary of the steps to make it (see full recipe below):

1. In a mixer blend cream cheese blocks then add cheddar, onions, dill, garlic, salt and pepper.
2. Spread the mixture out in bowl, spreading it up the sides, so it’s an even layer. Chill 1 hour.
3. Shape cheese ball mixture into a tall cone (using pretzel rod inside center for added stability if desired) and place on a serving plate.
4. Decorate with tomatoes, bell pepper, pine nuts then parsley. Finish with a star cut from the bell pepper with a toothpick inserted.

Storage

• This cheese ball should be stored in fridge in an airtight container.
• It shouldn’t sit at room temperature longer than two hours for food safety.
• It will keep in the fridge for about 3 days, though it’s appearance will be best the first day.

Helpful Tips for the Best Cheese Ball

• Be sure to chill mixture before you attempt to shape into a cone otherwise it will be too sticky to work with and won’t hold a shape as well.
• If time allows let the cheese ball rest in the fridge for a few hours for flavors to meld and cheddar cheese to soften.
• Try using half sharp cheddar and half Havarti for another tasty option.
• If you want a softer cheese ball let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving.
• Another option is to warm individual leftover servings on a microwave safe dish for 10 seconds at 50 percent power to soften slightly.

More Christmas Tree Holiday Recipes to Try

• Caprese Christmas Tree
• Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
• Christmas Tree Cookies
• Cut Out Sugar Cookies
• Rice Krisipies Christmas Trees

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe

Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

A festive and delicious Christmas Tree Cheese Ball! Made with rich cream cheese, sharp white cheddar, flavorful herbs and fresh vegetables. It's a holiday party favorite and a tasty twist on the classic cheese ball!

Servings: 16

Prep45 minutes minutes

Ready in: 45 minutes minutes

Ingredients

• 3 (8 oz each) pkgs. cream cheese, softened to room temp
• 16 oz. sharp white cheddar cheese*, shredded (4 cups)
• 3/4 cup sliced green onions (green tops only)
• 2 tsp dried dill or 1 Tbsp chopped fresh dill
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• Salt and black pepper, to taste
• 1 pretzel rod (optional for added stability)
• 3/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• 1 cup mini grape tomatoes or chopped red bell pepper
• 1 yellow bell pepper, 1 star cut, 1/2 cup chopped
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• Savory crackers, for serving

Instructions

• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer using a paddle attachment cream together blocks of cream cheese until smooth. Scrape down bowl.
• Add in white cheddar cheese and green onions, then sprinkle over dill, garlic powder and season with salt and pepper to taste (I use about 1/2 tsp each but this is personal preference, saltiness of cheese may vary and you may not want as much).
• Remove paddle then smooth mixture out into bowl in an even layer spreading mixture up the sides of the bowl as well (this is for faster more even chilling). Cover and chill 1 hour.
• Remove mixture from fridge then cover hands with food grade gloves or wash well. Shape mixture into a tall cone shape like a "Christmas tree" if using a pretzel rod shape the mixture around the pretzel using it as the center for added stability (it should not show through anywhere). Tree should be about 10 inches tall. Place cheese "cone" on a serving plate and press down so it sticks, reshaping as needed.
• Next add mini grape tomatoes (can cut in half if they are too large to press in) pressing them randomly over "tree" then add bell pepper pieces randomly around. Add a "ribbon" of pine nuts wrapped around the tree starting at the top, press them in so they stick well.
• Then take a handful of parsley, tilt tree and press parsley into "tree" coating entire cheese ball. Last insert a toothpick into the bell pepper star and insert at the top of the tree.
• Serve shortly after preparing or keep chilled in the fridge in an airtight container.

Notes

• *8 oz. sharp white cheddar with 8 oz. Havarti would also be a delicious option.
• If you want a softer cheese ball let it rest at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving, though don't keep at room temp longer than 2 hours.
• Another option is to warm individual leftover servings on a microwave safe dish for 10 seconds at 50 percent power to soften slightly.
• Crackers not included in nutrition estimate.

Nutrition Facts

Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

Amount Per Serving

Calories 306 Calories from Fat 243

% Daily Value*

Fat 27g42%

Saturated Fat 14g88%

Polyunsaturated Fat 2g

Monounsaturated Fat 7g

Cholesterol 71mg24%

Sodium 329mg14%

Potassium 253mg7%

Carbohydrates 6g2%

Fiber 1g4%

Sugar 3g3%

Protein 11g22%

Vitamin A 2038IU41%

Vitamin C 36mg44%

Calcium 270mg27%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition values are estimates only. See full disclaimer here.

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: American

Keyword: cheese ball, christmas tree cheese ball

Author: Jaclyn