Festive Antipasto Cheese Ball Tree
This stunning Festive Antipasto Cheese Ball Tree is not just a cheese spread; it’s a centerpiece! Bursting with flavors from creamy sun-dried tomatoes, vibrant red bell peppers, and aromatic herbs, this cheeseball is enveloped with an array of colorful antipasto ingredients. Garnished with an assortment of olives and fresh rosemary sprigs, it transforms a simple appetizer into an exquisite edible holiday decoration. Perfectly paired with a selection of cured meats like salami and prosciutto and a variety of crackers, this showstopper will delight your guests at any Christmas gathering. Ideal for serving at parties or festive dinners, it promises to be a conversation starter and a delightful addition to your holiday table!
N/A
Servings
171
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
cream cheese
4 cups (softened)
sun-dried tomatoes
1 cup (chopped and dried with paper towel)
red bell pepper
1/2 cup (diced)
dill pickle
1/4 cup (finely diced)
chives
1/4 cup (chopped)
parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
onion powder
1 tablespoon
garlic powder
2 teaspoons
salt
1 teaspoon (to taste)
mixed olives
1.5-2 cups (pitted and dried with paper towel)
rosemary
6 sprigs (for decoration)
crackers
as needed (for serving)
salami
as needed (slices for serving)
prosciutto
as needed (slices for serving)
Instructions
1
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, diced red bell pepper, finely diced dill pickle, chopped chives, and parsley. Sprinkle in the onion powder, garlic powder, and salt (if using). Mix until all ingredients are well incorporated and the mixture is smooth and creamy.
2
Lay a piece of non-stick plastic wrap on your countertop or clean work surface. Scoop the cheese mixture onto the center of the wrap and fold the wrap over, covering the mixture entirely. If necessary, use an additional piece of wrap to ensure complete coverage.
3
Using your hands, shape the cheese mixture into a triangular form resembling a Christmas tree. While doing this, gently press and compact the mixture to hold its shape. Carefully lift the tree shape by peeling off the bottom layer of plastic wrap and transfer it to a decorative serving plate.
4
With a cake spatula, smooth out any edges and refine the shape of your cheese tree. Decorate the exterior with the dried olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh rosemary sprigs, lightly pressing them into the cheese to ensure they adhere well. For added flavor, brush the exterior with a bit of sun-dried tomato oil from the jar if desired.
5
Finish off your cheese tree by adding a star on top. You can create a star using a slice of yellow or orange bell pepper or by cutting out a thick piece of cheese.
6
Serve alongside your choice of crackers, rolled slices of salami, and prosciutto for a delightful holiday appetizer plate!
Nutrition Information
15g
Fat
5g
Carbs
5.1g
Protein
0.4g
Fiber
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Festive Antipasto Cheese Ball Tree?
It is a decorative holiday appetizer made of a savory cream cheese mixture shaped like a Christmas tree and decorated with olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and rosemary sprigs.
What are the primary ingredients in the cheese mixture?
The base consists of softened cream cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, red bell peppers, dill pickles, chives, and parsley.
How do you shape the cheese ball into a tree?
Scoop the mixture onto non-stick plastic wrap, fold it over, and use your hands to shape it into a triangular form resembling a Christmas tree.
How many calories are in a serving of this cheese ball?
Each serving contains approximately 171 calories.
What can I use to make the star on top of the cheese tree?
You can create a star using a slice of yellow or orange bell pepper or by cutting out a thick piece of cheese.
What should I serve alongside the Festive Antipasto Cheese Ball Tree?
It is best served with a variety of crackers and cured meats like rolled slices of salami and prosciutto.
How much cream cheese is required for this recipe?
The recipe requires 4 cups of softened cream cheese.
What spices are used to season the cheese mixture?
The mixture is seasoned with 1 tablespoon of onion powder, 2 teaspoons of garlic powder, and salt to taste.
How do you decorate the exterior of the tree?
Decorate the exterior with dried olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, and fresh rosemary sprigs, pressing them lightly into the cheese.
Is there a way to add extra flavor to the outside of the cheese ball?
Yes, you can brush the exterior with a bit of sun-dried tomato oil from the jar for added flavor.
What type of olives are recommended for the decoration?
The recipe calls for 1.5 to 2 cups of pitted mixed olives that have been dried with a paper towel.
How much fat is in one serving?
There are 15 grams of fat per serving.
What is the protein content of this appetizer?
Each serving provides 5.1 grams of protein.
How many carbohydrates are in the Festive Antipasto Cheese Ball Tree?
There are 5 grams of carbohydrates per serving.
Does this recipe contain fiber?
Yes, there is approximately 0.4 grams of fiber per serving.
What kind of herbs are used in the mixture?
The recipe uses chopped chives and chopped parsley in the cheese base, plus rosemary sprigs for decoration.
How should the sun-dried tomatoes be prepared?
One cup of sun-dried tomatoes should be chopped and dried with a paper towel before being added to the mixture.
Are pickles included in this cheese ball?
Yes, 1/4 cup of finely diced dill pickles are mixed into the cream cheese.
How do I refine the shape of the tree once it is on the plate?
You can use a cake spatula to smooth out any edges and refine the shape of the cheese tree.
How many ingredients are used in total for this recipe?
The recipe lists 14 ingredients in total.
What is the first step in making the cheese ball?
Combine softened cream cheese, tomatoes, bell peppers, pickles, chives, parsley, and spices in a large mixing bowl until smooth.
Can I use fresh rosemary in this recipe?
Yes, 6 sprigs of fresh rosemary are used specifically for the holiday decoration.
Is the salt amount fixed?
No, the recipe suggests 1 teaspoon of salt, but it should be adjusted to taste.
What type of pepper is mixed into the cheese?
Half a cup of diced red bell pepper is used in the mixture.
How do you ensure the mixture is easy to shape?
Using softened cream cheese ensures the mixture is smooth and creamy, making it easier to form into a tree.
What is the serving suggestion for the meats?
The recipe suggests serving the cheese tree with rolled slices of salami and prosciutto.
Is this recipe suitable for Christmas parties?
Yes, it is specifically described as a centerpiece and showstopper for Christmas gatherings and festive dinners.
What is the purpose of the plastic wrap?
It is used to hold the mixture while you shape it with your hands and helps transfer it cleanly to the serving plate.
How much garlic powder is used?
The recipe calls for 2 teaspoons of garlic powder.
Should the olives be pitted?
Yes, for safety and ease of eating, the mixed olives should be pitted.