Make-Ahead Snowman Cheese Ball
🕒 Prep Time: 4 hours
🕒 Total Time: 4 hours
🥄 Recipe Yield: 7 cups
🥘 Recipe Category: Spreads
🏷️ Keywords: Cheese, Kid Friendly, High In…, Winter, Christmas, Thanksgiving, Weeknight, No Cook, Refrigerator, Freezer, < 4 Hours
Description:
This adorable Make-Ahead Snowman Cheese Ball is not only a delightful addition to your holiday table, but it’s also incredibly convenient as it can be prepared up to a month in advance and stored in the freezer until you’re ready to decorate and serve! Perfect for festive gatherings, this cheese ball is sure to be a hit with both kids and adults alike.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3 pkg | Cream cheese |
| 4 | Cheddar cheese |
| 2 | Basil pesto |
| 1 | Onion |
| 1/4 | Yellow mustard |
| 2 | Rosemary |
| 1 | Dried cranberries |
| – | Raisins |
| – | Pimiento |
| – | Red bell pepper |
| – | Radicchio |
| – | Carrot |
| – | Asparagus |
| – | Celery rib |
Instructions:
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Mix Cream Cheese and Cheddar Cheese: Begin by mixing together 3 packages of cream cheese and 4 portions of cheddar cheese. Divide this mixture into three equal parts.
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Prepare Pesto Mixture: Take two parts of the cheese mixture (approximately 2/3 of the total mixture) and mix in the basil pesto until well combined.
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Prepare Onion Mustard Mixture: To the remaining 1/3 of the cheese mixture, add finely chopped onion, yellow mustard, and a touch of pepper sauce. Mix until all ingredients are evenly incorporated.
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Chill Cheese Mixtures: Cover each cheese mixture and refrigerate for about 4 hours, or until firm enough to shape.
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Shape Cheese Balls: Once chilled, shape each cheese mixture into balls.
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Wrap and Freeze: Wrap each cheese ball individually, label, and place them in the freezer. These cheese balls can be frozen for up to 1 month ahead of time.
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Thaw Before Serving: About 12 hours before serving, remove the cheese balls from the freezer and thaw them in their wrappers in the refrigerator.
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Assemble Snowman: Once thawed, arrange the cheese balls on a serving plate, stacking the smaller ball on top to create the head of the snowman.
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Frost and Decorate: Before serving, frost the snowman with whipped cream cheese and decorate as desired. Get creative with your decorations, using items like fresh rosemary and dried cranberries for the crown, chopped olive pieces or raisins for the eyes and buttons, pimiento or red bell pepper for the mouth, radicchio or carrot ribbon for the scarf, and asparagus spears or celery sticks for the arms.
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Serve: Serve your adorable snowman cheese ball with crackers for a festive and delicious appetizer that will delight guests of all ages.
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Storage: Any leftovers can be covered and stored in the refrigerator for future snacking enjoyment.
This Make-Ahead Snowman Cheese Ball is not only a tasty treat but also a fun and festive addition to your holiday spread. Enjoy making memories with this adorable and delicious appetizer!
