Holiday Cheese Tree Recipes

HOLIDAY TREE-SHAPED CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Stir together cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide in half. Stir pesto into 1 half; stir onion, mustard and 2 or 3 drops pepper sauce into other half. Cover each half; refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape.
• Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet. Shape each half into cone shape to look like a pine tree.
• If desired, wrap each tree, label and freeze up to 1 month. Twelve hours before serving, remove trees from freezer. Thaw in wrapper in refrigerator.
• Just before serving, roll trees in parsley, pressing it evenly onto trees. Press pine nuts onto trees in string form for garland. Press bell pepper pieces onto trees for ornaments. Top each tree with star shape cut from lemon peel. Serve with crackers.

CHRISTMAS TREE CHEESEBALL

Steps:

• In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese until fully. Beat in cheddar cheese, onions, pimientos, butter, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt, and pepper.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least one hour.
• Roll and press the cheese ball mixture into the shape of a Christmas tree.
• Garnish first with the cherry tomato halves, then add parsley, followed by the sliced almonds and peppers.
• Serve with assorted crackers and pretzels.

HOLIDAY CHEESE TREE

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese and cheddar cheese in small bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Add 1 Tbsp. of the bell peppers, the onions, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and ground red pepper; mix well. Cover.
• Refrigerate several hours or overnight.
• Spoon 2-1/2 cups of the cheese mixture onto large serving platter; shape into triangular shape to resemble a Christmas tree. Spoon remaining cheese mixture at the base of the triangle for the trunk. Decorate with the pesto and the remaining 1 Tbsp. bell peppers. Serve as a spread with round buttery crackers.

CHRISTMAS TREE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a large bowl, using a hand mixer, beat together the cheeses, then add in the parsley and seasonings and beat until well combined.
• Transfer the mixture onto plastic wrap, tightly cover and shape into a cone. Refrigerate for at least 2-3 hours, and preferably overnight.
• Transfer the cheese ball cone onto a serving plate to decorate. Lightly press some of the parsley into the cheese, then dot the pine nuts to create a string light effect. Decorate next with bell pepper pieces and pistachio nuts to resemble baubles or ornaments.
• Press in the remaining parsley to fill in any gaps. Then cut a star from a thick slice of cheese using a small cookie cutter. I attached it to the top of the tree with a toothpick to keep it secure.
• Serve with crackers, bread, or sturdy chips.