Festive Ornament Cheese Clusters (Printable Version)

Cheese and herb clusters shaped like ornaments, ideal for festive gatherings and entertaining.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Cheese Ball Mixture

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - Salt and 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 parsley
12 - 1/3 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers
13 - 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

→ Decoration

14 - 12 small fresh rosemary sprigs

→ Serving

15 - Assorted crackers or sliced baguette (optional)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, thoroughly blend cream cheese, shredded sharp cheddar, shredded mozzarella, chopped chives, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth.
02 - Divide the mixture evenly into 12 portions and shape each into a smooth ball.
03 - Place each chosen coating ingredient in separate shallow bowls to facilitate rolling of the cheese balls.
04 - Roll 3 or 4 cheese balls in each selected coating to create distinct, colorful clusters.
05 - Arrange cheese balls on a platter in groups of 3 or 4, forming tight, round clusters that resemble hanging ornaments.
06 - Insert one small rosemary sprig into the top of each cluster to serve as a decorative hook.
07 - Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready. Offer with crackers or sliced baguette as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They look like you spent your whole afternoon in the kitchen, but honestly, you'll be done in twenty-five minutes flat
  • Every single bite tastes different depending on which colorful coating you choose, so people keep coming back for more
  • It's naturally vegetarian and can easily be gluten-free, which means fewer worries when hosting mixed groups
  • You can prep the cheese mixture ahead and assemble everything right before guests arrive for that picture-perfect presentation
02 -
  • Softening the cream cheese is non-negotiable—cold cream cheese will make your mixture lumpy and unpleasant, and those lumps will show through your coatings
  • Finely chopping your coating ingredients matters more than you think because tiny pieces adhere beautifully while chunky pieces slide right off your balls
03 -
  • Roll your cheese balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet, then refrigerate them for fifteen minutes before coating—they'll hold together better and give you less stress
  • The size of your balls matters for presentation and eating—aim for about the size of a walnut so they're not too big to pop in your mouth whole
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