Description
This festive Mini Cheeseballs Wreath recipe features two flavorful cheese ball fillings—Ranch and Zesty Herb—formed into bite-sized balls and decorated with vibrant toppings like dried cranberries, nuts, green onions, and fresh herbs. Perfect for holiday gatherings or any party, this appetizer is easy to prepare ahead of time and beautifully presented as an elegant wreath.
Ingredients
Scale
Ranch Cheese Ball Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 tablespoon Ranch seasoning
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
Zesty Herb Cheese Ball Filling
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- ½ teaspoon garlic salt
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce (optional)
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
- ¼ cup finely chopped chives
- 1 cup shredded white sharp cheddar cheese
Cheese Ball Toppings
- 1 cup chopped dried cranberries
- 1 cup chopped pecans or almonds
- ½ cup sliced green onions or chives
- ½ cup finely chopped parsley
Garnish
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
- Fresh thyme sprigs
- Fresh mint leaves
- Fresh parsley leaves
Instructions
- Prepare Ranch Cheeseballs: Blend together the softened cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and mayonnaise until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in the shredded sharp cheddar cheese until evenly combined. Set this mixture aside.
- Prepare Zesty Herb Cheeseballs: Blend together the softened cream cheese, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and Worcestershire sauce (if using) until smooth and creamy. Stir in the onion powder, garlic salt, ground black pepper, and finely chopped chives until well incorporated. Then fold in the shredded white sharp cheddar cheese.
- Form Cheese Balls: Using a cookie scoop or a small spoon, form small balls from each of the cheese ball mixtures. Place the formed balls onto a serving tray or cookie sheet, ensuring they are spaced apart.
- Chill Cheese Balls: Refrigerate the formed cheese balls for 1 to 2 hours or until firm. This step helps them hold their shape for coating and assembling.
- Coat Cheese Balls: Once chilled and firm, gently roll each cheese ball in the toppings—chopped dried cranberries, chopped pecans or almonds, sliced green onions or chives, and finely chopped parsley—to coat evenly on the outside.
- Assemble Wreath: On a serving tray or a circular cutting board, arrange half of the coated cheese balls into a ring shape to form the base of the wreath. Then add a second layer of cheese balls on top to give the wreath dimension and fullness.
- Garnish the Wreath: Decorate the wreath edges with fresh herb sprigs such as rosemary, thyme, mint, and parsley leaves to enhance the festive presentation and add freshness.
- Chill Until Serving: Place the assembled wreath in the refrigerator until ready to serve, keeping it chilled and firm for guests to enjoy.
Notes
- For best texture, make sure cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing.
- Worcestershire sauce in the zesty herb filling is optional but adds a nice umami depth.
- You can substitute nuts based on your preference or dietary needs.
- Prepare cheese balls up to 24 hours in advance and keep refrigerated for convenience.
- Serve with crackers, bread slices, or fresh vegetables for a complete appetizer experience.
- Adjust amount of toppings as needed depending on how thick you want the coating on the cheese balls.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 mini cheese ball
- Calories: 85
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 2g
- Fiber: 0.3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
