Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball 🎄
A festive and easy Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball, perfect for holiday gatherings. This creamy cheese mixture, coated with vibrant pomegranate arils, makes a stunning and delicious appetizer.
Equipment
- Food Processor
- Electric Mixer
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons softened salted butter
- 8 ounces softened cream cheese
- 8 ounces fresh shredded white cheddar cheese
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 3 tablespoons chopped green onion
- 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 cup fresh pomegranate arils patted dry
- 1 Rolo candy unwrapped (for garnish)
- 1 sprig fresh rosemary optional (for garnish)
Instructions
- First, ensure your cheddar cheese is freshly shredded for the creamiest texture. Gently pat your fresh pomegranate arils dry with a paper towel; this simple step helps them stick perfectly to the cheese ball later!
- In a food processor or a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer, combine the softened butter, cream cheese, shredded white cheddar, minced garlic, chopped green onion, and ground black pepper. Mix everything until it's wonderfully smooth and well-combined.
- Carefully shape the creamy cheese mixture into a festive ball using your hands. For a perfectly round shape, you can also place the mixture onto the center of a piece of plastic wrap and pull the corners up tightly to form the ball, then release.
- Spread the dried pomegranate arils onto a plate. Gently roll your cheese ball over them, pressing lightly to coat the entire surface. Add any extra arils by hand to completely cover any open spots, making it beautifully red and inviting.
- Wrap the coated cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until it's nice and firm. Just before serving, place the unwrapped Rolo candy on top to create a cute "stem" for your ornament, and add a sprig of fresh rosemary if you like! Serve with your favorite crackers or veggie slices for a healthy option.
Notes
Nutrition Information (per serving): Calories: 170 kcal, Total Carbs: 4g, Net Carbs: 3g, Fats: 15g, Protein: 6g.
