Fancy Christmas Cheese Ball
When it comes to impressive Christmas appetizers that come together in a flash, the classic cheese ball is hard to beat. This retro favorite has been given a modern twist here at Delish with creative ingredients and fresh decorating ideas. Our winter holiday version features three types of cheese and is adorned with vibrant pomegranate seeds. It looks elegant and festive yet is incredibly easy to make. Read on for our top tips on making this Christmas appetizer truly shine.
Ingredients
- 1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened
- 6 oz. goat cheese
- 1/2 cup sliced, toasted almonds
- 1 cup shredded Gruyère (or sharp white cheddar)
- 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh parsley
- 1 Tbsp. chopped fresh thyme
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 cup pomegranate arils
- Crackers, for serving
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together cream cheese, goat cheese, and gruyere. Fold in almonds, parsley, and thyme until well combined, then season with salt and pepper. Form mixture into one large ball.
- Place pomegranate arils on a large plate, then roll cheese ball gently until fully coated, filling in any cracks by hand.
- Refrigerate until cold and sturdy, about 20 minutes, then serve with crackers.
Notes
- How to make the best cheese ball:
Now on to the best part, the cheese-y inside! Make sure both your cream cheese and your goat cheese are at room temperature to guarantee they mix together easily, but beyond that, you can feel free to get a little creative with your ingredients. Toasty walnuts, rosemary, Boursin cheese, or white cheddar would all be welcome too. You could even try swapping the pomegranate seeds for dried cranberries to switch things up.
- Storage:
If you have any leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for around 5 days. We recommend keeping the pomegranate seeds separate from any cheese ball leftovers.
Nutrition
Calories: 303kcalCarbohydrates: 8gProtein: 12gFat: 24gSaturated Fat: 12gCholesterol: 53mgSodium: 334mgPotassium: 183mgFiber: 2gSugar: 5gCalcium: 228mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!