Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree

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This Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree is a festive Appetizer that is easy, simple and perfect for Holidays! Move over from antipasto platters, this Christmas tree is a much better and unique option!

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• Some of my favorite party snacks include –
• What’s so special about this recipe?
• Ingredients required to make this appetizer
• How to make Antipasto Christmas tree Cheese Balls?
• Quick FAQS
• Notes and Pro-tips
• More Delicious Dip Recipes You’ll Love!
• Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree

The recipe requires few simple ingredients, has a creamy texture and is a crowd pleaser!

The holidays are in full swing! This time of the year tends to be filled with multiple occasions, special gatherings with lots of food.

So, Every occasion and party needs a great crowd-pleasing appetizer, and this ultimate cheese ball recipe is definitely that!

I love to prepare make-ahead appetizers for holidays and family gatherings, it saves me so much time on the big day.

Some of my favorite party snacks include –

Avocado Edamame Hummus

Pasta phyllo Bites

Corm Guacamole

Jalapeno Popper Dip

Veggie Pizza Sliders

and this Homemade Cheese Ball (Tree)!

Cheese Ball Recipe is a perfect appetizer for this time of the year.

Looking for More Holiday recipe inspiration? Click here.

What’s so special about this recipe?

• Had lots of flavors
• Natural make-ahead recipe.
• Simple and easy(Mix, shape, chill and enjoy)
• Versatile
• Customizable
• Loved by all age
• And is so so good!!

This appetizer is full of sun-dried tomatoes, bell peppers, some dried herbs on the inside and outside is decorated with different olives, sundried tomatoes, and rosemary.

This will be the show-stopper of the party for sure! Serve it with some crackers and some Beverages on the side. What else one needs!

Our favorite beverages are Simply Orange, Simply Cranberry or Simply Apple.

We picked these Simply Beverages from Fry’s (Kroger banner store) and we loved them.

Simply believes that the best things in life are made simply – celebrating life's authentic moments because they are the most memorable and meaningful. And nothing goes better with a simple moment than a Simply beverage.

Ingredients required to make this appetizer

• Cream cheese
• Bell Peppers
• Sun-dried tomatoes
• Olives – (Green, Black, and Kalamata)
• Italian Seasoning
• Garlic Salt
• Rosemary

How to make Antipasto Christmas tree Cheese Balls?

Step 1 – Mixing the ingredients

Take Cream cheese, garlic salt, Italian seasoning, bell peppers and half portion of sun-dried tomatoes in a bowl.

Mix everything well.

Step 2 – Moulding

To mould the tree out of your cream cheese dip, you'll need to place a piece of plastic wrap down on your work surface first, then scoop out the prepared cream cheese mixture onto the plastic wrap.

Place another piece of plastic wrap over it to cover it and mould it with your hands until it forms a tree. (Refer a video).

Depending on the width of your plastic wrap, you may need a second piece to completely cover it so you don't get dip all over your hands.

Shape the tree into a wider tree shape. It is more stable than the tall and thin tree.

If you find your cream cheese has softened too much and won't hold its shape, refrigerate it until it thickens, around 30 to 40 minutes.

Step 3 – Decorate

After you've moulded it, transfer it into a serving tray and smooth it out using a cake spatula or knife.

Then decorate it with antipasto ingredients (3 different olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and rosemary).

Refrigerate it for a minimum of 30 minutes.

Step  4 – Serve

Enjoy it with some crackers, veggies, crusty bread, and Simply Juices.

Quick FAQS

How long do cheese balls last?

For this recipe, I would say 4 days. Actually it really depends on the ingredients you add. If you are adding more veggies, then it won’t last long. it’s just cheese and dry herbs, it will last up to 10 days.

Can you freeze this?

Yes, You need to freeze them before shaping and decorating it. After mixing all the ingredients, add it to a freezer resealable bag and freeze it. It stays good for up to a month.

Thaw overnight in the refrigerator then shapes and decorate it.

What can be served with this Antipasto Christmas Tree Cheese ball recipe?

My personal favorites are toasted Crusty bread, Crackers and carrots.

This dip can also be served with –

• Pita chips
• Pretzels
• Bagel chips
• Celery sticks

Notes and Pro-tips

• Use only full-fat cream cheese.
• Make sure your cream cheese is at room temperature. If it’s chilled, you’ll have a hard time mixing everything.
• This recipe can be made a day before serving, so it’s great to make ahead for a party.
• You can use your choice of olives to decorate the tree.
• If you don’t have olives or don’t like the taste of it, skip it and decorate it with crushed nuts, candies or with any finely chopped veggies.
• Don't feel constrained to the Christmas tree shape… play around with different shapes for your cheese ball, like football shaped for game day, a star for Christmas, or shape it in around to make a traditional cheese ball.
• You can also shape them in mini cheese ball bites. Instead of shaping the mixture into a Christmas tree, use a small ice cream scoop to form little balls, and decorate it with DICED olives and CHOPPED thyme. It will be a fun, portable party appetizer!
• You can also add some grated cheese in this recipe. I have skipped it this time.
• Use a butter knife for serving and speeding the cheese dip. I don't know why so many of us try to just dive right in with a cracker always to find it broken in half.
• I have used Star ornaments as a tree topper. You can also use edible stars made from Cheese or bell pepper.

More Delicious Dip Recipes You’ll Love!

Smore Dip

Minty Raw Mango Chutney

Spicy Roasted Red Pepper Peanut Sauce

Warm regards,

Dhwani.