Description
This festive and fun Reindeer Cheese Ball is the perfect holiday appetizer! With creamy cheese, ranch seasoning, and a delightful pecan coating, it’s sure to be the star of your party. Decorate it with pretzel antlers, black olive eyes, and a cherry tomato nose for the ultimate festive touch.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Base:
- 2 blocks cream cheese (8 ounces each), softened at room temperature
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2–3 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
Coating and Decorations:
- 2 cups roughly chopped pecans (for coating)
- 2 black olives (medium-sized, pitted, for eyes)
- 1 cherry tomato (for the nose)
- 2 regular-sized pretzels (for the antlers, e.g., Snyder’s Olde Tyme Pretzels)
Optional Garnish:
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme (for a festive touch)
- Crackers or pretzel sticks (for serving alongside the cheese ball)
Instructions
- Prepare the Creamy Base:
Beat the cream cheese and sour cream together in a large mixing bowl until smooth and lump-free using a hand mixer. - Add the Cheddar and Ranch Seasoning:
Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese and ranch seasoning until well combined. Taste and adjust seasoning to your preference. - Shape the Cheese Ball:
Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on your countertop. Scoop the cheese mixture onto the center of the wrap and use it to mold the mixture into a round ball. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 4–6 hours (or overnight for best results). - Coat with Pecans:
After chilling, unwrap the cheese ball and roll it in the chopped pecans, pressing them lightly for an even coating. - Add the Reindeer Decorations:
Insert the pretzels to form the antlers. Add the black olives as the eyes and a cherry tomato as the nose. Secure with a toothpick if necessary. - Serve with Style:
Place the cheese ball on a platter. Surround with crackers, pretzel sticks, or veggies for dipping. Garnish with fresh herbs for an extra festive touch.
Notes
- Chill the Cheese Ball: Ensure the cheese ball is well-chilled before coating and decorating for the best shape and texture.
- Make Ahead: This recipe can be prepared a day in advance. The longer it sits in the fridge, the better the flavors meld together.
- Customization: Feel free to swap in other toppings like olives, pickles, or even dried fruits for different flavor profiles.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes (no baking)
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the cheese ball
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 21g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30mg