Description

This festive Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball is a creamy, tangy, and colorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining softened cream cheese, white cheddar, garlic, and green onions, it is shaped into a cheese ball and adorned with bright pomegranate seeds for a gorgeous, jewel-like appearance. The decorative rolo candy and rosemary sprig add a charming holiday touch. Serve chilled with crackers, crostini, or fresh vegetables for a crowd-pleasing starter.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Ball

2 tablespoons salted butter, softened
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
8 ounces white cheddar block, freshly shredded
1 tablespoon garlic, minced
3 tablespoons green onion, chopped
⅛ teaspoon black pepper, ground

Ornament Garnish

1 cup pomegranate arils, fresh and patted dry
1 rolo candy, unwrapped, for ornament top
1 sprig rosemary (optional)

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Instructions

Combine Ingredients: In a food processor or mixer, blend the softened butter, cream cheese, and freshly shredded white cheddar until smooth. Add the minced garlic, chopped green onion, and ground black pepper, mixing until all ingredients are well combined.
Form Cheese Ball: Using your hands, shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Alternatively, place the mixture in the center of a 12″ x 12″ piece of plastic wrap, pull each corner up tightly, and twist to form a compact ball. Carefully release to maintain the shape.
Coat with Pomegranate: Spread the pomegranate arils on a plate. Roll the cheese ball over the seeds to coat the surface completely. Use your hands to add any remaining arils, ensuring the ball is evenly covered with the vibrant seeds.
Chill to Firm: Wrap the coated cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow it to firm up and flavors to meld.
Garnish and Serve: Before serving, top the cheese ball with the unwrapped rolo candy to simulate the ornament top. Add an optional rosemary sprig as a decorative bow. Serve alongside crackers, veggie slices like carrots and celery, crostini, or pretzels.

Notes

For the best texture and flavor, shred the cheddar fresh rather than using pre-shredded cheese.
Serve the cheese ball at room temperature for a creamier texture, or immediately after chilling if preferred.
Suggested accompaniments include carrots and celery for a low-carb, gluten-free option, crostini, pretzels, and buttery crackers.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1/12 of cheese ball
Calories: 150 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 180 mg
Fat: 12 g
Saturated Fat: 7 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 5 g
Fiber: 1 g
Protein: 5 g
Cholesterol: 30 mg