This festive Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is the ultimate holiday appetizer! Shaped like a Christmas tree and decked out with rosemary “branches,” pomegranate “ornaments,” and topped with a cheddar cheese star – this cheese ball is the perfect centerpiece for your holiday table. Whether you’re hosting a party or bringing a dish to share, this cheeseball is guaranteed to spread holiday cheer with every bite!
Serve these festive holiday appetizers at your next party: Cranberry Pecan Brie Bites, Cranberry Brie Pinwheels and this crowd-pleasing Charcuterie Board.
Christmas Cheese Ball Recipe
The Christmas Tree Cheeseball is a show-stopping appetizer that’s sure to steal the spotlight at your holiday gatherings. Not only does it look stunning with its festive tree shape and edible decorations, but it’s also packed with rich, savory flavors.
The combination of cheeses, smoky bacon and seasonings creates a perfectly creamy and flavorful base. A touch of crunch from diced nuts and a pop of freshness from green onions take it to the next level. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s easy to customize with your favorite meats, cheeses, and add-ins. Plus, shaping it into a tree and decorating it is a fun activity the whole family can enjoy.
What makes this cheeseball extra special is the fun and unique Christmas Tree design. Sprigs of fresh rosemary mimic tree branches, pomegranate arils or cranberries add a pop of bright, jewel-like color reminiscent of ornaments, and a slice of cheddar or yellow bell pepper crowns the tree as a star.
Serve it with crackers, veggies, or even pretzels for dipping, and watch it disappear from the table. This recipe is not only an edible centerpiece but also a fun way to bring a little extra holiday magic to your menu!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun Presentation: This Christmas Tree Cheeseball is more than just a delicious appetizer—it doubles as a gorgeous centerpiece for your holiday table. The rosemary “branches,” pomegranate “ornaments,” and cheddar star make it almost too pretty to eat (almost!) It’s the perfect way to impress your guests before the meal even begins.
- Easy to Customize: This recipe is incredibly versatile! You can mix and match your favorite deli meats, cheeses, and nuts to suit your taste or use what you already have on hand. Whether you prefer smoky bacon, creamy cheddar, or crunchy pecans, this cheeseball is endlessly adaptable.
- Quick and Simple to Make: Despite its impressive appearance, this recipe is surprisingly easy to assemble. With just a handful of simple ingredients and some creative shaping and decorating, you can have a show-stopping appetizer ready in no time. Perfect for busy holiday schedules!
How to Make Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
Making a Christmas Tree Cheeseball is easier than it looks! With a creamy, flavorful base and festive edible decorations, you can whip up a show-stopping appetizer in no time. Follow the steps below to shape and decorate your cheeseball into a holiday masterpiece that’s perfect for your next gathering. As always, you can find the full printable recipe card at the end of this post.
- Place your cream cheese, bacon, deli meat, green onions, shredded cheese, nuts, dill weed and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl.
- Mix everything, and then begin kneading your cream cheese into the other ingredients. Knead until very well combined. Roll into a ball and place on a serving dish.
- Shape your cheeseball into a cone shape as shown.
- Place almonds on your cheeseball, as garland. Start at the top, working your way down diagonally, as shown. Add as many or as little as you desire.
- Cut your rosemary stems in half, one by one, and place them into your cheeseball, pointing down, to create a branch effect. Cover the entire cheeseball as best as you can.
- Cover any bare spots with pomegranate arils, for ornaments.
- Cut your cheese slice into the shape of a star, and attach to the top of your tree, using a toothpick.
- Surround your cheeseball with an assortment of crackers and bakery bread. Serve and enjoy, it’s almost too pretty to eat.
Chop the rosemary, almonds, and other decorations before shaping the cheeseball. Having everything ready to go will make assembling the tree quick and stress-free.
Storage Information
Refrigerator: To store your Christmas Tree Cheese Ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap without any of the decorations or garnish and refrigerate for up to 3 days. When ready to serve, add the almonds, rosemary, pomegranate arils and cheddar star.
This appetizer is not freezer-friendly, as the cream cheese base can change texture when frozen and thawed.
Variations to Try
- Add a kick to your Christmas Tree Cheeseball by mixing in some diced jalapeños or a dash of hot sauce. For an extra layer of heat, sprinkle chili flakes on top or mix in a spicy cheese like pepper jack.
- Swap out the dill weed for a mix of fresh herbs such as basil, parsley, or thyme to create a more herb-forward flavor. This will give the cheeseball a fresh, fragrant twist that pairs well with crackers or veggies.
- Add a handful of dried fruit, like cranberries or apricots, to the mixture for a touch of sweetness. You can also drizzle honey or balsamic glaze on top for an added sweet-savory contrast.
- Try different cheese combinations like goat cheese, blue cheese, or gouda for a unique flavor profile. Mixing cheeses with varying textures can give your cheeseball a more complex and bold taste.
- For a smoky flavor, incorporate smoked turkey, ham, or bacon into the cheeseball base. You could even grill the nuts for an extra layer of flavor that complements the smoky meats.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of nuts in the recipe?
If you want to skip the nuts, you can replace them with finely chopped sunflower seeds, crushed pretzels, or even more cheese for added texture.
How do I keep the rosemary fresh on the cheese ball?
To keep the rosemary looking its best, add it just before serving. If you’re prepping ahead of time, store the rosemary in a damp paper towel in the fridge to keep it from drying out.
What crackers or dippers go best with the cheese ball?
Crackers, pretzels, fresh veggies (like carrots, celery, and bell peppers), and sliced baguette or crostini all pair wonderfully with this cheese ball.
More Holiday Appetizers to Try
- Cranberry Pecan Mini Goat Cheese Balls
- Pizza Dip
- Cheddar Bacon Pinwheels
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
- Baked Bacon Cheese Dip
- Crockpot Chex Mix
Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
Ingredients
Cheese Ball
- 24 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ¾ cup finely chopped bacon about 8 slices, cooked
- ½ cup finely chopped deli meat 4 ounces (ham, turkey, pastrami, roast beef, etc.)
- 8 green onions thinly sliced
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese I used a cheddar cheese blend
- ½ cup finely diced nuts walnuts, pecans, almond, etc.
- 1 teaspoon dill weed
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
Decorations
- almonds whole or sliced
- rosemary you'll need several packages
- pomegranate arils or cranberries
- cheddar cheese about 2×2 in. for the star OR yellow bell pepper
Serving
- assorted crackers
- fresh veggies bell peppers, cucumbers, carrots, celery, etc.
- bread
Instructions
- Start by placing your cream cheese, bacon, deli meat, green onions, shredded cheese, nuts, dill weed and garlic powder in a large mixing bowl.24 ounces cream cheese, ¾ cup finely chopped bacon, ½ cup finely chopped deli meat, 8 green onions, ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese, ½ cup finely diced nuts, 1 teaspoon dill weed, 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- Give everything a good mix, and then begin kneading your cream cheese into the other ingredients. Knead until very well combined. Roll into a ball and place on a serving dish.
- Begin shaping your cheeseball into a cone shape as shown.
- Let’s decorate it! Start by placing almonds on your cheeseball, as garland. Start at the top, working your way down diagonally, as shown. Add as many or as little as you desire.almonds
- Cut your rosemary stems in half, one by one, and place them into your cheeseball, pointing down, to create a branch effect. Cover the entire cheeseball as best as you can.rosemary
- Cover any bare spots with pomegranate arils, for ornaments.pomegranate arils
- Cut your cheese slice into the shape of a star, and attach to the top of your tree, using a toothpick.cheddar cheese
- Surround your cheeseball with an assortment of crackers, bread and fresh veggies. Serve and enjoy!assorted crackers, fresh veggies, bread
Notes
For more information, recipe tips and FAQs, see post above.
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