Appetizer Cheese Trees or Snowmen Recipe
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Yield: 7 cups
Ingredients:
- 3 cups cream cheese
- 4 cups cheddar cheese
- 2 cups pesto sauce
- 1 onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ground mustard
- 2-3 tablespoons parsley, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup cilantro, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup pine nuts
- 2 red bell peppers, cut into small pieces
Instructions:
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Mix Cream Cheese and Cheddar Cheese: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and cheddar cheese. Divide the mixture in half.
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Add Pesto Sauce: Mix the pesto sauce into one half of the cheese mixture until well combined.
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Add Onion and Mustard Mixture: To the other half of the cheese mixture, add the finely chopped onion, ground mustard, and pepper sauce. Mix until evenly distributed.
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Refrigerate: Cover each half of the cheese mixture and refrigerate for about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape.
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Shape into Trees: Once the cheese mixture is firm, place each half on a cookie sheet. Shape each half into a cone shape to resemble Christmas trees.
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Coat with Parsley: Roll the tree shapes in finely chopped parsley, pressing the parsley evenly onto the surfaces of the trees.
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Decorate with Bell Peppers: Press the pieces of red bell pepper onto the trees to form colorful ornaments.
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Create Garland with Pine Nuts: Press the pine nuts onto the trees in a string-like pattern to create a garland effect.
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Optional Star Topping: For an extra festive touch, top each tree with a star shape cut from lemon peel, if desired.
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Serve with Crackers: Arrange the decorated cheese trees on a serving platter and serve with your favorite crackers.
Snowman Cheeseball Variation:
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- Note: The following instructions are for making a snowman-shaped cheeseball.
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Prepare Cheese Mixture: Follow steps 1 and 2 from the main recipe to prepare the cheese mixture.
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Divide and Flavor: Divide the cheese mixture into three equal parts. Mix two-thirds of the mixture with pesto sauce and the remaining one-third with chopped onion, mustard, and pepper sauce.
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Refrigerate: Cover each portion of the cheese mixture and refrigerate as directed in the main recipe.
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Shape into Balls: Once the cheese mixtures are firm, shape each portion into two balls.
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Coat with Almonds: Roll the balls in finely chopped blanched almonds until evenly coated.
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Assemble Snowman: Stack the cheese balls on a serving plate, with the smaller ball on top for the head of the snowman. Gently press them together.
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Add Arms: Insert pretzel sticks into the sides of the snowman for arms.
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Decorate: Use capers for eyes, sliced olives for buttons, chopped carrots for a nose, sliced cucumber for a hat (thin slice for brim, chunk for top), chopped bell pepper for a mouth, and fresh thyme leaves for a scarf. Be creative and have fun decorating your snowman cheeseball!
Enjoy these festive and delicious appetizers at your next Christmas or Thanksgiving gathering, or even for a fun weeknight snack! ๐๐ง๐