Description
This festive Reindeer Cheese Ball is a delightful holiday appetizer that’s both fun to make and delicious to eat. Combining creamy cream cheese with tangy sour cream, sharp cheddar, and zesty ranch seasoning, it’s rolled in crunchy pecans for texture and decorated with olives, a cherry tomato, and pretzels to resemble a cute reindeer. Perfect for parties and gatherings, this no-cook recipe comes together in just 10 minutes and serves 8 guests with crackers or pretzel sticks.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Base
- 2 blocks cream cheese (8 ounces each), softened at room temperature
- 1/3 cup sour cream
- 8 ounces medium cheddar cheese, shredded
- 2–3 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
Coating and Decoration
- 2 cups roughly chopped pecans (for coating)
- 2 black olives (medium-sized, pitted, for eyes)
- 1 cherry tomato (for the nose)
- 2 regular-sized pretzels (for the antlers, e.g., Snyder’s Olde Tyme Pretzels)
- Fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme (for a festive touch)
Serving
- Crackers or pretzel sticks (for serving alongside the cheese ball)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese and sour cream. Use an electric mixer or a sturdy spoon to blend until smooth and creamy.
- Add Cheddar and Seasoning: Stir in the shredded medium cheddar cheese and 2 to 3 tablespoons of ranch seasoning mix, mixing thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors.
- Shape the Cheese Ball: Using your hands or a spatula, form the cheese mixture into a round ball shape. Place it on a plate or shallow dish.
- Coat with Pecans: Spread the roughly chopped pecans out on a flat surface or plate. Roll the cheese ball gently in the pecans until it is evenly coated all around, creating a crunchy exterior.
- Decorate the Reindeer Face: Use the two black olives as eyes and press them gently onto the cheese ball. Position one cherry tomato on the front to represent the nose.
- Add Antlers: Insert two regular-sized pretzels into the top sides of the cheese ball to mimic reindeer antlers.
- Garnish: Arrange fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme around the cheese ball for a festive and evergreen appearance.
- Serve: Place the cheese ball on a serving platter surrounded by crackers or pretzel sticks, ready for party guests to enjoy.
Notes
- Soften the cream cheese ahead of time by leaving it at room temperature for about 30 minutes to ensure easy mixing.
- Adjust the amount of ranch seasoning to your taste preference if you prefer a milder or stronger flavor.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute regular pretzels and crackers with gluten-free alternatives.
- The cheese ball can be made a few hours ahead and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before serving for best flavor.
- Fresh herbs add a lovely aroma and visual appeal but can be omitted if unavailable.
