Description

Create a festive and savory Antipasto Christmas Tree Cheese Ball perfect for holiday entertaining. This impressive cheese ball features a blend of Provolone, Parmesan, cream cheese, pepperoncini, salami, olives, and artichokes combined with Italian seasoning, crafted into a Christmas tree shape and decorated with marinated olives, roasted red peppers, and fresh rosemary. Serve with crackers or crostini for a crowd-pleasing appetizer that’s both flavorful and visually striking.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Mixture

2 cups finely shredded Provolone
1 cup finely shredded Parmesan
4 (8-oz.) blocks cream cheese, room temperature

Vegetables & Nuts

2/3 cup chopped pepperoncini
1/2 cup blanched almonds, chopped
2 marinated artichoke hearts, finely chopped (about 3/4 cup)
2 cloves garlic, chopped

Meats

4 oz. salami or pepperoni, finely chopped

Seasonings

2 Tbsp. Italian seasoning
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper flakes

Decorations and Garnishes

6 oz. pitted marinated green Cerignola olives, halved
4 oz. marinated Kalamata olives, halved
2 oz. pitted marinated black Cerignola olives, halved
4 oz. roasted red peppers, cut into 3/4″ pieces
Rosemary sprigs, for decorating
1 (1/2″-thick) slice fresh mozzarella
Crackers or crostini, for serving

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Instructions

Mix Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine Provolone, Parmesan, pepperoncini, almonds, salami, artichokes, garlic, Italian seasoning, kosher salt, and crushed red pepper flakes. Toss with a fork until well blended. Then fold in the cream cheese using a rubber spatula until the mixture is fully incorporated and smooth.
Shape the Cheese Ball: Lay a 24-inch-long sheet of plastic wrap on a cutting board or platter with the long edge facing you. Place another same-sized sheet of plastic wrap on top with the short edge facing you. Place the cream cheese mixture in the center of the plastic. Draping the plastic over the mixture, shape it into a Christmas tree form standing upright. Wrap tightly and refrigerate for about 30 minutes until firm and cold.
Decorate the Cheese Tree: Remove the plastic wrap carefully. Pat the marinated olives dry with paper towels to remove excess marinade. Decorate the surface of the cheese tree with the olives, roasted red pepper pieces, and rosemary sprigs to resemble ornaments and greenery.
Add the Star and Serve: Using a paring knife or a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut a star from the fresh mozzarella slice. Insert a toothpick into the bottom of the star and place it atop the cheese tree as the tree topper. Serve the cheese ball with crackers or crostini alongside for dipping.

Notes

The cheese ball can be prepared a day in advance and chilled overnight for flavors to meld.
Use gloves when handling spicy ingredients like pepperoncini to avoid irritation.
For a vegetarian version, omit salami or pepperoni and consider adding chopped roasted red peppers or sun-dried tomatoes for extra flavor.
Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature for easier mixing and smooth texture.
Patting olives dry before decorating prevents excess moisture from making the cheese ball soggy.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 piece (approx. 1/24th of the cheese ball)
Calories: 180
Sugar: 1.5g
Sodium: 320mg
Fat: 15g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 6g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 3g
Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 6g
Cholesterol: 35mg