Description
This festive Cheese Ball Wreath recipe features creamy, flavorful mini cheese balls rolled in colorful toppings like fresh herbs, dried cranberries, and chopped nuts, arranged in a beautiful wreath shape for a perfect holiday appetizer. Easy to prepare and visually stunning, it’s ideal for Christmas parties and gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 8-ounce blocks of cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 Tbsp salted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups shredded cheese (white cheddar, Monterey Jack, or a blend)
- 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
- 1/4 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 tsp onion powder
- 1 pinch black pepper
Toppings and Garnishes
- 1 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1 cup chopped nuts (such as pecans or walnuts)
- 1/3 cup fresh herbs, diced (such as parsley, chives, or dill)
- Fresh herb sprigs (sage leaves, rosemary, bay leaves, basil leaves) for wreath decoration
Instructions
- Mix the Cheese Base: Using a food processor or electric mixer, combine the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add shredded cheese, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Form Mini Cheese Balls: Lightly spritz your clean hands with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking. Use a small cookie scoop to portion the cheese mixture evenly, then roll each portion into small, uniform balls by hand. If the mixture becomes too soft to handle, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few minutes to firm it up.
- Prepare Toppings: Spread the finely chopped dried cranberries, chopped nuts, and diced fresh herbs on shallow plates, allowing easy rolling of the cheese balls in the toppings.
- Coat Cheese Balls: Roll each mini cheese ball in one of the prepared toppings, ensuring each ball is evenly coated with dried cranberries, nuts, or herbs for variety and color.
- Arrange the Wreath: On a round serving platter, arrange the mini cheese balls in a circular wreath shape. Tuck fresh herb sprigs such as sage leaves, rosemary, bay leaves, and basil leaves around and between the cheese balls to enhance the festive appearance and aroma.
- Serve: Provide toothpicks, crackers, and pretzels alongside the wreath for easy serving and snacking at parties and gatherings.
Notes
- This Cheese Ball Wreath makes a stunning and delicious centerpiece appetizer for Christmas and holiday parties.
- Chilling the cheese mixture briefly makes it easier to shape and roll the balls.
- Use a variety of toppings for color, flavor, and texture contrast.
- Fresh herbs tucked around the wreath add a beautiful festive touch and fragrant aroma.
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
