This Christmas Wreath Cheeseball is a festive and delicious appetizer for the holiday season!
Hello everyone! Warning alert: it’s just a little bit more than a week left until Christmas! There’s no need to panic, though. Personally, I’ve been managing it well this year, and I hope so have you. As the matter of fact, I am going to share only two recipes next week and then enjoy the season, without the blogging part, for about a week. Don’t worry – I’ll be back after Christmas to share with your two delicious recipes for New Year’s Eve celebration.
Long story short, today we’re enjoying this scrumptious and super festive Christmas Wreath Cheeseball. Normally, I avoid figure-shaped recipes (Cookies are an exception. However, I am a not huge fan of bright colours and sprinkles on them either.) In my humble opinion, most these recipes in a shape of Christmas tree or Santa look a little childish (Not in a bad way childish). Also, I just don’t like the excessive manipulations and touching my food. However, when I saw the idea of making a cheeseball wreath, I immediately wanted to make it.
Christmas Wreath Cheeseball
This Christmas Wreath Cheeseball doesn’t involve too many manipulations and decorations. Besides, it the combination of red and green just looks elegant and festive.
The flavour profile is simple yet delicious – dried cranberries and pecans. The addition of nutmeg and rosemary gives those holiday vibes. Finally, it’s decorated with chopped herbs and pomegranate arils which bring this Christmas look. It’s so easy to make with only one little thing to keep in mind. It might be a little challenging to transfer it from one plate to the serving one (Little cracks can be easily fixed, though). Alternatively, you can assemble it directly on a serving plate – just try to do this job as neatly as possible.
The result is delicious and impressive, and that’s the only one thing that matters, after all.
Cheers and see you next week.
Ingredients
- 2 cups grated cheddar (about 250 gr.)
- 450 gr. plain cream cheese (You can opt for with herbs and garlic), at room temperature
- ½ to 1 whole freshly grated nutmeg
- 1 tbsp. of fresh rosemary (chopped) and thyme, each
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries, roughly chopped
- 1 cup pecans, toasted and chopped (walnuts are fine, too)
- Ground pepper, to taste
- 1 tbsp. of honey (optional)
- 2/3 to 1 cup of washed and chopped herbs – use parsley, dill, their combination or other herbs (some chives would work)
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
Instructions
- In a large bawl combine the cheddar and cream cheese, until combined.
- Stir in the cranberries, pecans, herbs, and spices, and if using – the honey. Mix until well incorporated.
- On a plate or board arrange the mixture shaping it into a wreath. Sprinkle with the herbs pressing them slightly into the cheese. Cover with plastic and let chill for about 30 minutes. Accurately transfer (Using a large spatula) the cheese wreath onto a serving board and garnish with the pomegranate. Alternatively, you can assemble it directly on a serving plate and just wipe the plate with some paper towel.
- Enjoy!
Hi – I’m Ben, a blogger, recipe developer, and food photographer. I’m glad you’re here! I hope you will enjoy hundreds of delicious recipes and a pinch of havoc in the kitchen.
I’ve never seen a cheeseball shaped as a wreath. Such a creative idea, Ben. And SO pretty! This is a perfect app for any holiday get together!
I honestly can’t believe Christmas is right about the corner! And then it will be 2020! Crazy!! Anyways, this cheeseball is just gorgeous and SO festive! It’s THE perfect appetizer for any and ALL holiday parties! However, I’m pretty sure I could hoard this to myself and call it my dinner. ;) YUMMMMMM!
Cheyanne recently posted…Italian Sausage Soup
Such a pretty looking Christmas Wreath Cheeseball. Bet it tastes amazing Ben. Your Christmas recipes have all been so creative with stunning photographs. Like you I’ll be bringing my last Christmas recipe this week and then taking some time off. I hope you have an amazing Christmas time Ben. All the best!
Neil recently posted…No-Bake Tia Maria Cheesecake
This is so fun and festive Ben! And I love the flavors! It’s perfect for Christmas!
Omgoodness you are killing it with these beautiful Holiday creations! I’m like David, seeing myself curling up on the couch with some wine, a nice fluffy blanket and this… OH and some Hallmark Christmas movies! I wanna dig in now!
What a fun recipe! You’ve been posting some great appetizers lately that are perfect for the holidays. These cheeseball makes me want to pour a glass of wine and curl up on the couch. In fact, this cheeseball could be dinner all by itself! I love the addition of pecans in this one.
David @ Spiced recently posted…Beef Short Rib Bolognese
Wow! What a beautiful presentation! So festive and it sounds delicious, too!!