Holiday Ornament Cluster Appetizer (Print)

Colorful cheese ball clusters adorned with rosemary sprigs, ideal for festive holiday entertaining.

# What You Need:

→ 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 to 4)

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)

# Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, chives, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and uniform.
02 - Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions, shaping each into a smooth ball.
03 - Place each coating ingredient in separate shallow bowls. Roll 3 to 4 cheese balls in each coating for varied colors and textures.
04 - Group coated cheese balls into tight clusters of 3 or 4 on a serving platter to resemble holiday ornaments.
05 - Insert a small rosemary sprig into the top of each cluster to form decorative hooks.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready. Accompany with crackers or sliced baguette if desired.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • They're stunning enough to be the centerpiece of your spread, but so easy that you'll have time to actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • Each ornament is a flavor surprise, so there's something for everyone and none of the awkward cheese ball monotony
  • You can prep everything ahead and assemble five minutes before people arrive, which means no stress and maximum impact
02 -
  • Cold cream cheese is your enemy. I learned this the hard way when I tried to make these in a rush with cheese straight from the refrigerator. The mixture was lumpy and refused to roll smoothly. Let it soften completely, and everything becomes effortless.
  • The key to coatings that actually stick is using finely chopped ingredients rather than chunky ones. Larger pieces roll off or sit unevenly. When I switched to food-processed coatings, the results became restaurant-quality.
03 -
  • If you're making these for a large gathering, assemble the cheese balls the day before and refrigerate, but add the rosemary sprigs and final arrangements just before serving. This keeps everything fresh while managing your time wisely.
  • Use a mix of coatings with different colors and textures. The visual variety is what stops people in their tracks and makes them want to taste every single one.
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