Description
This festive Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is a delightful and eye-catching appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with a creamy blend of cream cheese, sour cream, fresh dill, chopped pickles, ranch seasoning, Monterey Jack cheese, and crispy bacon, it is shaped into a cone to mimic a Christmas tree. Decorated with fresh dill ‘branches,’ diced tomatoes as colorful ornaments, and a yellow bell pepper star on top, this savory cheese ball combines creamy, tangy, and smoky flavors to impress your guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Mixture
- 32 ounces (2 16-ounce blocks) cream cheese, softened at room temperature
- ¼ cup sour cream
- ½ cup chopped fresh dill, divided
- ¼ cup chopped dill pickles
- 1 tablespoon pickle juice from the jar
- 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning powder
- 1½ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
- ½ cup chopped cooked bacon (about 6 slices), divided
Decorations
- ¼ yellow bell pepper (for star or circle topper)
- 2 tablespoons diced tomato
Instructions
- Mix. In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 teaspoon of chopped fresh dill, chopped dill pickles, pickle juice, ranch seasoning powder, Worcestershire sauce, shredded Monterey Jack cheese, and half of the chopped bacon (about ¼ cup). Mix thoroughly until all ingredients are well incorporated into a uniform mixture.
- Make a cheese “ball”. Shape the cream cheese mixture into a cone resembling a Christmas tree. To assist in forming a neat cone shape, use a funnel if necessary. Ensure it stands firmly upright on a serving platter or plate.
- Chill. Wrap the shaped cone tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. This firms up the cheese ball and allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
- Cut. While the cheese ball chills, slice the yellow bell pepper to create a star shape or a circle for the tree topper. Insert a small toothpick halfway into the bottom of the pepper piece to serve as a secure stem for later placement.
- Finish. Once chilled, remove the cheese ball from the fridge and unwrap it. Smooth out the sides gently with the back of a spoon or clean hands for a neat finish. Take the remaining chopped fresh dill and adorn the entire surface of the cone by either rolling the cone through the dill or dabbing pinches of dill evenly to cover it, creating a pine-needle effect. Dot the tree randomly with the diced tomato pieces to resemble colorful ornaments. Finally, secure the yellow bell pepper star on top by inserting the exposed end of the toothpick into the peak of the cheese cone.
- Serve. Present your festive Christmas Tree Cheese Ball on a platter accompanied by crackers, pretzels, or your favorite snacks for dipping and spreading. Enjoy this flavorful and visually charming appetizer with friends and family during holiday celebrations.
Notes
- For best results, ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature to allow easy mixing.
- You can prepare the cheese ball up to one day in advance; just keep it tightly wrapped in the refrigerator.
- Feel free to substitute Monterey Jack cheese with cheddar or any other mild cheese of your choice.
- Make sure to use fresh dill for the best flavor and visual appeal.
- If you prefer a vegetarian version, omit the bacon or replace it with vegetarian bacon alternatives.
