Description
This festive Snowman Cheeseball is a creamy and flavorful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with cream cheese, shredded gouda, chives, sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic powder, this cheeseball is shaped into a charming snowman and decorated with mozzarella, cloves, raisins, pretzels, and a baby carrot for the nose. Served with crackers and veggies, it makes a delightful party snack that’s as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 4 cups gouda cheese, shredded
- ½ cup chives, chopped
- ½ cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained and chopped
- ½ tsp garlic powder
Decorations
- 1 ½ cups mozzarella cheese, finely shredded
- 9 whole cloves (for eyes and mouth)
- 4 raisins (for buttons)
- 2 pretzel sticks (for arms)
- 1 baby carrot (for nose)
Instructions
- Prepare the cheese mixture: In a food processor, combine the softened cream cheese and shredded gouda cheese. Process until the mixture is creamy and well blended. Transfer the mixture to a large mixing bowl.
- Add additional ingredients: Stir in the chopped chives, drained and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and garlic powder until evenly distributed throughout the cheese mixture.
- Shape the snowman balls: Form the cheese mixture into two balls—one large for the body and one smaller for the head. Press the finely shredded mozzarella cheese onto the surface of both balls, ensuring they are well coated.
- Chill the cheeseballs: Wrap each ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or until firm.
- Assemble the snowman: Stack the smaller ball on top of the larger one. Secure them together by inserting a toothpick or small dowel through the centers to stabilize the snowman.
- Create the snowman’s features: Slice the baby carrot in half lengthwise, then cut one half lengthwise again to form the nose. Press it gently into the head ball. Use two whole cloves for the eyes and about seven whole cloves to craft the mouth. Press raisins sideways into the larger ball for the buttons.
- Add the arms: Insert two pretzel sticks on each side of the larger ball to create the snowman’s arms.
- Serve: Present your Snowman Cheeseball with sturdy crackers and fresh vegetables for dipping and enjoy this festive and flavorful holiday appetizer.
Notes
- For easier mixing, let the cream cheese soften at room temperature for about an hour before beginning.
- If you don’t have a food processor, mix the cheeses and other ingredients thoroughly by hand with a wooden spoon.
- Use sturdy crackers or sliced vegetables for dipping to avoid breaking the cheeseball.
- Decorations like raisins and cloves can be substituted with similar small edible items per your preference.
- Keep the cheeseball refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain its shape and freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/32 of the cheeseball)
- Calories: 110 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 180 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0.2 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
