Description

This festive Christmas Tree Cheeseball is a delightful and visually appealing appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Creamy cream cheese is blended with sharp cheddar, green onions, and pimientos, then shaped into a Christmas tree and garnished with cherry tomatoes, fresh parsley, sliced almonds, and a yellow pepper star. Served with assorted crackers and pretzels, it’s sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
4 cups finely shredded cheddar cheese
4 green onions, chopped
1 jar (4 ounces) diced pimientos, drained
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Garnish

12 cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup sliced almonds
1 yellow pepper, chopped and cut into a star shape

Serving

Assorted crackers and pretzels

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Instructions

Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Gradually add the shredded cheddar cheese, chopped green onions, drained diced pimientos, melted butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, kosher salt, and ground black pepper. Continue beating the mixture until all ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate for at least one hour. Chilling helps the mixture firm up and makes it easier to shape.
Shape the Cheeseball: Remove the chilled cheese mixture from the refrigerator. Using your hands or a spatula, shape the mixture into the form of a Christmas tree on a serving platter, pressing it firmly to hold the shape.
Garnish the Tree: Decorate the cheeseball by arranging the halved cherry tomatoes evenly across the surface to mimic ornaments. Sprinkle the finely chopped fresh parsley as “pine needles” over the tree. Add the sliced almonds for texture and visual appeal. Place the yellow pepper star at the top of the tree to complete the festive look.
Serve: Surround the cheeseball with assorted crackers and pretzels for serving. Present immediately or keep refrigerated until ready to serve.

Notes

For best results, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature before mixing.
Use sharp cheddar for a more pronounced flavor; mild cheddar can be substituted for a milder taste.
The cheeseball can be made a day ahead and refrigerated to save time on the day of serving.
Make sure the pimientos are well drained to prevent excess moisture in the cheeseball.
Feel free to customize garnishes to your liking or dietary preferences.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving (approximately 100g)
Calories: 260
Sugar: 2g
Sodium: 310mg
Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 12g
Unsaturated Fat: 8g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 6g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 7g
Cholesterol: 55mg