Christmas Reindeer Cheese Ball Recipe
This festive reindeer cheese ball is an easy, make-ahead Christmas appetizer made with cheddar, ranch seasoning, and cream cheese. Shaped like a reindeer with pretzel antlers and a cherry tomato nose, it’s a playful centerpiece that’s sure to be a hit at any holiday gathering.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces brick-style cream cheese softened (2 blocks)
- 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded
- 1 (1-ounce) packet ranch seasoning dressing mix (do not prepare)
- 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
- 1 1/2 cups toasted pecans finely chopped
- 2 large pretzels (I used Snyder's Olde Tyme)
- 2 medium black olives
- 1 cherry tomato
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, ranch seasoning, and Worcestershire sauce until well combined and smooth.
- Transfer the mixture onto a large piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a ball. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.
- Add chopped pecans to a large shallow bowl. Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and press it gently into the pecans to evenly coat all sides.
- Press the two large pretzels into the top of the cheese ball to resemble antlers. Use toothpicks to secure the black olives as eyes and the cherry tomato as the nose.
Notes
- Use brick-style cream cheese for the best texture.
- Add pretzels and garnishes just before serving to prevent them from softening.
- Store the undecorated cheese ball wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Once decorated, it’s best served within 24 hours to keep the pretzels crisp and the garnishes fresh. If needed, remove the decorations and wrap leftovers tightly before refrigerating again.
Nutrition
Calories: 228kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 12gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 23mgSodium: 641mgPotassium: 188mgFiber: 1gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 226IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 277mgIron: 1mg
Disclaimer: Nutrition information is estimated based on automated calculations and should be considered as an approximation. These estimates are provided as a courtesy. Please use your own brand's nutritional values to verify accuracy.
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