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Reindeer Cheese Ball with Pretzels and Nuts Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 62 reviews
  • Author: Villerius
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 10–12 servings
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Description

This festive Reindeer Cheese Ball is a fun and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Creamy and savory, it features a smooth blend of cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar, and ranch seasoning, shaped into a ball, and coated with chopped pecans. Decorated with pretzels, olives, and a cherry tomato, this cheese ball resembles a cute reindeer, making it a charming centerpiece for your party table.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Ball Mixture

  • 2 (8 ounce) blocks cream cheese, softened at room temperature
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 8 ounce block medium cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2–3 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix

Coating and Decorations

  • 2 cups roughly chopped pecans
  • 2 medium pitted black olives, for the eyes
  • 1 cherry tomato, for the nose
  • 2 regular sized pretzels, for the antlers (Snyder’s Olde Tyme Pretzels recommended)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth and well incorporated. Softening the cream cheese beforehand makes mixing easier.
  2. Add Cheese and Seasoning: Incorporate the shredded cheddar cheese and ranch seasoning mix into the cream cheese mixture. Start with 2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning, blend well, taste, and add an additional tablespoon if a stronger flavor is desired. Beat again to combine evenly.
  3. Mold the Cheese Ball: Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on a flat surface. Pour the cheese mixture onto the center of the plastic wrap. Use the wrap to shape the mixture into a tight ball. Twist the wrap shut around the ball, ensuring it is fully covered.
  4. Chill the Cheese Ball: Transfer the wrapped cheese ball to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 to 6 hours, or preferably overnight. This allows the cheese to firm up and hold its shape.
  5. Coat with Pecans: Once chilled, remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it. Place it on a large plate or shallow bowl filled with chopped pecans. Press the pecans firmly into the entire surface of the cheese ball for a crunchy exterior.
  6. Decorate the Reindeer: Add two pretzels on top of the cheese ball to form antlers, pressing them in so they stand upright. Attach two pitted black olives as eyes and one cherry tomato as the nose. Use toothpicks or edible pretzel sticks to secure the eyes and nose if needed.
  7. Serve: Surround the reindeer cheese ball with crackers and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy your festive appetizer!

Notes

  • Storage: Best served fresh. Leftovers can be stored in the fridge with decorations removed, wrapped tightly or placed in an airtight container, for 5 to 7 days.
  • For best flavor, allow the cheese ball to chill overnight.
  • You can substitute pecans with other nuts like walnuts or almonds if preferred.
  • Use edible toothpicks or pretzel sticks to secure decorations to avoid non-edible items in the cheese ball.
  • Allowing cream cheese to come to room temperature greatly eases mixing and helps achieve a smoother texture.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12 of cheese ball
  • Calories: 240
  • Sugar: 1.5g
  • Sodium: 250mg
  • Fat: 20g
  • Saturated Fat: 9g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 6g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Find it online: https://evelynseats.com/reindeer-cheese-ball-with-pretzels-and-nuts-recipe/