Christmas Ranch Cheese Ball

So, as you all know, I’m a major fan of cheese balls. They’re the perfect party appetizer: easy to make, easy to serve, and always a crowd-pleaser for young and old alike.

Best of all, the basic cheese ball is an incredibly versatile recipe with infinite variations. You can try different kinds of cheese in the base, switch up the seasonings, add a myriad of different toppings…it’s almost impossible to go wrong.

The only thing that can make a cheese ball even better is turning it from a plain old ball into a fun shape that fits in with a seasonal gathering. A couple years ago, I came up with this pumpkin-shaped cheese ball for a fall party, and it was such a BIG HIT that I just had to make up a variation on it for winter.

And here it is: the Holiday Ranch Cheese Ball, a jolly happy soul with a carrot nose and peppercorn eyes. Just pop him on a plate with a variety of your favorite veggies or crackers, and he’ll be the life of any winter party.

Christmas Ranch Cheese Ball
Prep Time 20 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Servings: 10
Calories: 122 kcal

Ingredients

•     8 oz cream cheese softened
•     1/4 cup finely chopped white onion
•     1 cup shredded pepper jack cheese
•     4 oz chevre softened, goat cheese
•     4 pieces cooked bacon finely chopped
•     12 peppercorns
•     1/4 tsp fresh ground pepper
•     1/2 tsp kosher salt
•     red bell pepper
•     carrot
•     3 cloves whole
•     fresh thyme

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, goat cheese, pepper jack cheese, chopped onion, bacon, salt and pepper.
2. Form the cheese mix into two balls, a smaller one and a larger one. Place the smaller ball on top and press them together. Flatten the base of the larger ball to make it able to stand on a plate.
3. Place peppercorns into the small ball for eyes and mouth (see photo).
4. Place cloves into the large ball for buttons (see photo).
5. Use a paring knife to chisel a small piece of carrot for the nose.
6. Use a vegetable peeler to trim long strips of red pepper peel. I made three strips, one for around the neck and one for each end hanging down. Use your paring knife to cut fringe into the ends of the scarf. Place the scarf pieces onto the snowman, pressing them into the cheese. Spread the fringe slightly and press in as well.
7. Place two sprigs of thyme on each side of the large ball for arms.
8. Weave about 5 sprigs of thyme together on the head for a wreath.
9. Keep your Christmas cheeseball snowman refrigerated until serving.

 

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