Christmas Tree Cheese Ball

This Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is an easy and fun recipe - perfect for a holiday appetizer or a finger food for a Christmas party.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine American

Prep Time 15

Chilling time 1

Total Time 15

Servings servings

Calories 290kcal

In a bowl, mix together the cream cheese, shredded cheese, pepper and garlic powder.
Lay some clingfilm flat on a work surface, and then lay another piece across the top to form an '+' shape.
Place the cheese mixture in the centre of the clingfilm, and bring the clingfilm up to cover the cheese. Using your hands, for the cheese into a Christmas tree shape. Put in the fridge for at least 60 minutes to chill.
While the cheese is chilling, put the pistachios in a zip lock bag and use a rolling pin to break them up. You don't want to create crumbs, rather just break them into smaller pieces.
When ready, take the cheese out of the fridge and unwrap the cling film. Press the pistachio pieces into the tree to cover the surface. Then, press in the dried cranberries randomly around.
Place a piece of parchment paper onto a board and put the Christmas tree on top. Cut a star out of a piece of cheddar and place on top. Serve with crackers.

Ensure that you use enough plastic wrap to fully cover the cheese when you are shaping it.
Let the cheese sit in the fridge for at least an hour before you add the pistachios and cranberries.
Take the cheese tree out of the fridge about 5-10 minutes before serving it.
Place the cheese tree on parchment when you serve it on a board for easy clean up.
You can make this 24 hours ahead of time - cover in plastic wrap and keep refrigerated.

Nutritional value based on 1 of 12 servings