Holiday Ornament Cluster (Print Version)

Colorful cheese ball clusters adorned with rosemary sprigs, ideal for holiday entertaining and easy assembly.

# Components:

→ 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

→ Serving

15 - Assorted crackers or sliced baguette (optional)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, sharp cheddar, mozzarella, chives, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and uniform.
02 - Divide the mixture evenly into 12 portions and shape each into a smooth ball by rolling between your palms.
03 - Place each coating ingredient in separate shallow bowls to facilitate rolling cheese balls in them.
04 - Roll 3 to 4 cheese balls in each chosen coating to create distinct, colorful textures resembling holiday ornaments.
05 - Arrange coated cheese balls in groups of 3 or 4 on a serving platter to form tight, round clusters.
06 - Insert a small rosemary sprig into the top of each cluster to mimic a decorative hook for hanging ornaments.
07 - Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to present. Optionally, accompany with crackers or sliced baguette.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look like you spent hours in the kitchen when they're actually ready in 25 minutes—your secret's safe with me
  • The combination of creamy cheese with crunchy coatings and fresh rosemary is addictively delicious
  • You can make them ahead and just assemble at the last minute, which is a lifesaver when entertaining
  • They're vegetarian and naturally gluten-free if you serve them without crackers, making them inclusive for guests
02 -
  • Don't skip the softening of the cream cheese—cold cream cheese will make the mixture grainy and impossible to roll into smooth balls, no matter how much you mix
  • Finely chopping your coating ingredients is the difference between an elegant bite and a crumbly mess—take the extra minute to mince everything well
03 -
  • Make the cheese mixture the day before and refrigerate it—the flavors actually deepen and become more cohesive, and cold cheese is easier to roll
  • Keep a damp paper towel nearby while rolling balls; a quick finger wipe removes sticky cheese and makes the process smoother
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