All three of these spread recipes are included in the card below. However, make as many or as few as fit for your size holiday crowd. The best part about making these is the fun you can have while creating them.
Honestly, these are a pantry cleaner. Although I love all of these flavor combinations, I threw together random ingredients from my refrigerator and cabinets. This is definitely a convenient option to use up those bits and bobs hanging out in your kitchen. Swap out the nuts, spices, and veggies in this Christmas Ball Cheese Spreads recipe for what you have on hand. I am sure most of you have leftover Thanksgiving items from your cheese/charcuterie boards or other appetizer recipes.
Your decorating skills are most likely far better than mine. Who am I kidding? A toddler can do better. However, I did make an attempt to be creative and pulled together the tools I had. Mini cutters create festive shapes. Obviously, the snowball version is the easiest one to create. If you are short on time, make a few of those.
To accentuate the Christmas Ball look of these Christmas Ball Cheese Spreads, I removed three toppers from three Christmas ornaments to use as decoration on top. However, you do not have to go rummaging through your Christmas decorations. Use small pretzel loops. They work just as well.
It’s always a lovely idea to mix up a cracker selection when serving cheese spreads. I like a combination of seeded, plain, and whole wheat varieties.
Christmas Ball Cheese Spreads
Ingredients
For the Artichoke Parmesan Spread:
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 1 artichoke heart
- 2 tablespoons plus 1/3 cup shredded parmesan cheese
- salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
For the sun-dried tomato chive spread:
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes plus a few for decoration
- 2 teaspoons chopped chives plus some unchopped for decoration
- salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
For the Spinach almond paprika spread:
- 4 oz softened cream cheese
- 1/4 cup fresh chopped baby spinach
- 3 tablespoons chopped raw almonds plus some for garnish
- 1/2 teaspoon sweet paprika plus some for decoration.
- salt & freshly ground pepper to taste
Instructions
Make the Artichoke Parmesan Spread
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Drain the artichoke heart. Squeeze out the excess liquid. Wrap it in a paper towel and gently squeeze again to drain off the excess liquid. Mince the artichoke hearts and blot the pieces again with the paper towel.
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Combine the cream cheese, chopped artichoke hearts, and 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese.
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Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
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Roll the mixture into a ball. Spread the remaining 1/3 cup of shredded parmesan on a work surface and roll the cheese ball in it to coat the entire ball.
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Flatten the bottom slightly and place upright on a plate.
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Lightly cover with plastic wrap and chill.
Make te the sun-dried tomato chive spread:
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Place the cream cheese in a bowl.
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Add the chopped sun-dried tomatoes and chopped chives to the cream cheese.
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Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
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Roll the mixture into a ball.
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Flatten the bottom and place upright on a plate. Garnish with sundried tomatoes and chives.
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Lightly cover with plastic wrap and chill.
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Directions:
Make the Spinach almond paprika spread:
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Place the cream cheese in a bowl.
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Mix in the chopped spinach and almonds.
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Add the paprika and season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
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Season with salt and freshly ground pepper to taste.
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Roll the mixture into a ball.
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Flatten the bottom and place upright on a plate. Garnish with almonds and paprika
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Lightly cover with plastic wrap and chill.
Serve the spreads:
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Transfer the spreads to a serving plate.
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Push a Christmas ornament cap into the tops of each cheese ball.
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Decorate the plate or serving platter.
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Serve with your favorite assortment of crackers and flatbreads.
So, do you like these Christmas Ball Cheese Spreads? Then also check out some of these other delicious recipes:
EASTER EGG CHEESE SPREADS
CHEESY MATZOH BALL CASSEROLE
