Festive Ornament Cheese Clusters (Printer View)

Colorful cheese ball clusters decorated with rosemary sprigs, ideal for festive appetizer platters and entertaining.

# Components:

→ Cheese Ball Mixture

01 - 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
06 - 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
07 - Salt and black 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 fresh 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)

# Method:

01 - Combine cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, chives, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth and evenly blended.
02 - Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
03 - Place each coating ingredient separately in shallow bowls. Roll 3 to 4 cheese balls in each coating to create colorful clusters.
04 - Group cheese balls into clusters of 3 or 4 on a serving platter, forming tight, round shapes that resemble ornaments.
05 - Insert a small rosemary sprig into the top of each cluster to serve as a decorative hook.
06 - Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready. Accompany with crackers or sliced baguette if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look so impressive that guests swear you spent hours in the kitchen, when really you've got this done in 25 minutes
  • Everyone gets to taste something different depending on which coating they choose—it feels like an edible adventure on one platter
  • You can make the cheese balls ahead and just roll them in coatings right before the party, which means less stress when people arrive
02 -
  • If your cheese mixture is too warm when you start rolling, pop it in the refrigerator for 15 minutes—cold cheese is cooperative cheese
  • The rosemary sprigs won't stay fresh-looking for hours on end, so insert them as close to serving time as you can manage for that picture-perfect moment
03 -
  • Wet your hands slightly with cool water before rolling each cheese ball—it prevents sticking and gives you smoother, more beautiful results
  • If you want the coatings to really adhere and create visual impact, let your cheese balls chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes before rolling them—cold surfaces are sticky surfaces
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