Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree is a showstopper! Move over antipasto platters…this Christmas tree is even better!
Not only is this cheese ball full of sun dried tomatoes, red bell peppers, chives and seasonings on the inside, the OUTSIDE is where it gets antipasto serious! Serve it on a platter with cold meats such as salami and prosciutto, PLUS crackers!
Any cream cheese will work here, as in full fat or low fat. Make sure your cream cheese is easy to work with and softened to help mix the other ingredients through it properly. Take it out of the refrigerator at least half an hour before starting the dip for easier mixing.
The dip part is extremely versatile. If you want to add different ingredients to suit your tastes, go for it!
How To Make An Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree
- To mould the tree out of your cream cheese dip, you’ll need to place a piece of plastic wrap down on your bench top first, then scoop out the prepared dip onto the plastic wrap.
- Place another piece of plastic wrap over it to cover it and mould it with your hands until it forms a tree. Depending on the width of your plastic wrap, you may need a second piece to completely cover it so you don’t get dip all over your hands.
- The cream cheese is more stable in a wider tree shape rather than a tall, thin tree. The taller tree folds over and collapses.
- If you find your cream cheese has softened too much and won’t hold its shape, refrigerate it until it thickens again.
If you need a visual, watch the video at the bottom of this post!
After you’ve moulded it, use a cake spatula or knife to smooth it out.
Then cover it completely wth antipasto ingredients! I used mixed olives and sun dried tomatoes for mine, and used a yellow bell pepper (capsicum) to cut out a star for the top! THEN, for added flavour, brush over the olives with some sun dried tomato oil from the jar! YUM!
The BEST holiday cheese ball!
Creamy deliciousness on the inside of this Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree!
WATCH US MAKE THIS ANTIPASTO CHEESE BALL CHRISTMAS TREE RIGHT HERE!
Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree
Antipasto Cheeseball Christmas Tree is a showstopper! Move over antipasto platters…this Christmas tree is even better! Not only is this cheeseball full of sun dried tomatoes, red bell peppers, chives and seasonings on the inside, the OUTSIDE is where it gets antipasto serious! Serve it on a platter with cold meats such as salami and prosciutto, PLUS crackers!
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: American
Servings: 14 people
Calories: 177 kcal
:
Ingredients
For The Dip:
- 4 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup red bell peppers (or capsicum ), diced
- 1/4 cup dill pickles, finely diced
- 1/4 cup chives, chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- Salt, to taste (if desired)
For The Decorations:
- 1 1/2 – 2 cups pitted mixed olives (I use a variety of black, green and Kalamata olives) — dried with paper towel
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (dried with paper towel)
- Rosemary leaves/sprigs to decorate
- Ritz, water crackers or pretzels for serving
- Salami slices, for serving
- Prosciutto slices, for serving
Instructions
In a bowl combine all the ingredients for the dip and mix until the ingredients are well combined.
Place a piece of non-stick plastic wrap on a clean bench top or work surface. Scoop the cream cheese mixture out onto the plastic wrap and completely cover with another piece of wrap (you may need two pieces to cover it).
Use your hands to mould the cream cheese into a tree shape. Then, carefully pick up the tree with one hand and peel off the plastic wrap on the bottom of the tree with your other hand. Place the tree straight onto a serving plate.
Use a cake spatula to smooth the edges. Decorate with olives, sun-dried tomatoes and rosemary leaves/sprigs, lightly pressing each element into the cream cheese to ensure they stay on. Brush with some sun dried tomato oil from the jar (optional but adds even more flavour)!
Top with a star cut out of a yellow or orange bell pepper OR a thick slice of cheese.
Serve with crackers of your choice, salami and prosciutto slices rolled up!
ENJOY!
Recipe Notes
- The cream cheese is more stable in a wider tree shape rather than a tall, thin tree. The taller tree folds over and collapses.
- If you find your cream cheese has softened too much and won’t hold its shape, refrigerate it until it thickens again (about 20 minutes).
- Pat dry each olive and sun dried tomato on a sheet of paper towel before decorating your tree to make sure they stay on, or they may slide off if covered in oil from the jar.
Inspired By Kiwilimon
Nutrition Facts
Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree
Amount Per Serving
Calories 177 Calories from Fat 153
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 17g 26%
Saturated Fat 9g 45%
Cholesterol 71mg 24%
Sodium 229mg 10%
Potassium 385mg 11%
Total Carbohydrates 7g 2%
Dietary Fiber 1g 4%
Sugars 5g
Protein 5g 10%
Vitamin A 24.6%
Vitamin C 14.3%
Calcium 7.6%
Iron 6.1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
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