Holiday Ornament Cluster Appetizer (Print view)

Colorful cheese ball clusters shaped like ornaments with rosemary sprigs for festive gatherings and easy entertaining.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Cheese Ball Mixture

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Ornament Coatings (choose 3–4 for variety)

08 - 1/3 cup finely chopped pistachios
09 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
10 - 1/3 cup poppy seeds
11 - 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
12 - 1/3 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers
13 - 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

→ Decoration

14 - 12 small rosemary sprigs (for hooks)

→ Serving

15 - Assorted crackers or sliced baguette (optional)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Combine cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, chives, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly until smooth and homogeneous.
02 - Divide the cheese mixture into 12 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
03 - Place each coating ingredient separately in shallow bowls. Roll 3 or 4 cheese balls in selected coatings to create colorful clusters.
04 - Arrange the coated cheese balls in groups of 3 or 4 on a serving platter, forming compact round clusters that resemble ornaments.
05 - Insert a small rosemary sprig atop each cluster to serve as a decorative hook.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready. Pair with crackers or sliced baguette as desired.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • They look like edible art on your platter, making you look like a kitchen genius when really they're incredibly simple to make
  • No cooking required means you can spend more time with your guests instead of hovering over the stove
  • The combination of creamy cheese, crunchy coatings, and that fresh rosemary hook creates such a satisfying bite that people keep coming back for more
02 -
  • If your cream cheese is cold when you mix, your coating will be grainy and won't hold together properly. Room temperature is non-negotiable. I learned this by making bitter mistakes the first three times I tried this recipe.
  • Don't skip the chilling step if your mixture feels too soft. Those 15 minutes in the fridge make the difference between cheese balls that hold their shape and ones that flatten out the moment you try to coat them.
03 -
  • If you're worried about your cheese balls sliding off coatings, do a pre-roll in a tiny bit of softened cream cheese as a tacky base layer. It works like primer before paint.
  • The secret to coatings that really cling is making sure your cheese ball is as smooth as possible. Any crack or irregular surface is where your coating will slip off, so take time to roll them round and tight.
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