This Easy Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Appetizer is creamy, savory, and shaped to steal the spotlight on your holiday spread. It comes together fast, looks adorable on the table, and tastes even better with crackers or fresh veggies.
If you want an appetizer that looks like you tried really hard (even if you didn’t), this Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is the one.
Creamy, herby, and packed with flavor, it’s shaped into a festive tree that instantly makes your snack table look extra special — all without complicated steps or baking.
Set it in the center of your spread, surround it with crackers or sliced veggies, and watch every guest make a beeline straight for it.
Why You Will Love This Recipe!
- It’s a total showpiece: Shaped like a Christmas tree, this cheese ball instantly becomes the star of your holiday table.
- No oven required: Just mix, shape, decorate, and chill. Your oven stays open for the real drama (cookies).
- Make-ahead friendly: Prep it a day in advance and save your sanity on party day.
- Customizable flavors: Add different herbs, nuts, or even a little heat to make it your own.
- It disappears fast: Creamy, savory, and perfect with crackers or veggies… consider doubling the batch
Ingredients Needed
- Cream cheese: Softened block provides creamy base for cheese ball
- Shredded cheddar cheese: Adds sharp flavor and rich cheesy texture
- Chopped pecans or walnuts: Crunchy coating with warm nutty flavor
- Fresh parsley: Creates green “tree” look and fresh flavor
- Green onion: Adds mild onion bite and pretty color
- Garlic powder: Boosts savory flavor without fresh garlic heat
- Salt: Balances flavors and brings everything together
- Black pepper: Adds light heat and depth of flavor
- Red pepper pieces: Creates festive ornament look on cheese ball
How To Make Easy Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Appetizer
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, garlic powder, and onion powder. Mix until smooth and fully blended.
Step 2: Shape the mixture into a cone to resemble a Christmas tree.
Step 3: Wrap the cheese cone tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight until firm.
Step 4: Finely chop the parsley. Remove the cheese cone from the wrap and press the parsley all over the outside to create the “tree” look.
Step 5: Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star from the bell pepper. Chop a few additional small pieces of bell pepper for decoration.
Step 6: Press the sliced almonds into the cheese cone to form a garland design.
Step 7: Finish decorating by placing the bell pepper star on top, then add halved Roma tomatoes and chopped bell pepper pieces around the tree. Serve with your favorite crackers and enjoy.
Easy Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe Tips
- Use full-fat cream cheese — low-fat turns grainy and sad
- Let the cream cheese soften fully before mixing
- Chill the cone shape until it’s firm, not sticky
- Finely chop the parsley for better coverage
- Press the parsley in with clean, dry hands
- Pat the outside dry if it feels wet before decorating
- Use unsalted sliced almonds so the flavor stays balanced
- Add the garland after the parsley sticks
- Keep decorations bite-sized so the ball doesn’t fall apart
- Make it up to 24 hours ahead and store covered
- Add crackers right before serving so they stay crisp
- If it starts to soften, pop it back in the fridge
Storing Instructions
- Refrigerate: Keep the cheese ball tightly wrapped in plastic wrap or in an airtight container. Store in the fridge for up to 3–4 days.
- Maintain freshness: Only decorate right before serving if storing in advance to prevent parsley and toppings from wilting.
- Freezing: Not recommended, as the texture of the cheese and fresh herbs can change.
Easy Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe Faqs
Why is chilling the cheese mixture so important? Chilling the mixture for at least 2–4 hours (or overnight) is essential. It allows the cream cheese and butter to firm up, making the mixture easy to shape into a sturdy cone or tree before coating it.
How do I prevent the cheese ball from collapsing? Ensure the cream cheese are softened before mixing, but then chill the mixture thoroughly after mixing and before shaping. Also, avoid overloading the tree with heavy decorations.
What are the best “edible decorations” (ornaments)? Use small, brightly colored items that stick well, such as chopped red and green bell peppers, diced pimentos, chopped fresh parsley or chives, crushed nuts, or mini cheese cubes.
How far in advance can I make this? You can make the cheese mixture and fully assemble the tree (without the crackers) up to 3 days in advance. Wrap it loosely in plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated.
What should I serve for dipping? Serve with a variety of dippers that offer different textures, such as butter crackers, pretzel crisps, vegetable sticks (celery, carrots), and sturdy baguette slices.
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Easy Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Appetizer
Description
Ingredients
- 24 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 bunch fresh parsley
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 1/2 cup Roma tomatoes
- 1/2 cup sliced almonds
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the 24 ounces cream cheese, 1/3 cup sour cream, 2 cups cheddar cheese, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, and 1 teaspoon onion powder. Mix until fully blended and smooth.
- Shape the cheese mixture into a cone to form the base of the Christmas tree.
- Wrap the cone tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm up.
- Finely chop the 1 bunch fresh parsley. Remove the cheese cone from the wrap and press the parsley all over the outside to create a tree-like appearance.
- Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star from the 1 yellow bell pepper. Chop a few additional small pieces of bell pepper for decoration.
- Press the 1/2 cup sliced almonds into the cheese cone to form a garland design around the tree.
- Finish decorating by placing the bell pepper star on top, then add the halved 1/2 cup Roma tomatoes and the chopped bell pepper pieces around the tree.
- Serve with crackers and enjoy.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Start cookie cutter
Nutrition
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