Reindeer Cheese Ball

Want to learn how to make a Reindeer Cheese Ball Recipe for Holiday or Christmas parties? Need an EASY Christmas appetizer idea you can make last minute? This NO BAKE, MAKE AHEAD, EASY Rudolph cheese ball recipe could be the perfect compliment to any holiday soiree!

Whether you’re hosting a holiday party, festive pot luck, a Christmas feast, or just looking to add a touch of charm to your Christmas gatherings, this reindeer shaped cheese ball is the perfect low prep appetizer that’ll make a memorable impression with your guests.

This Reindeer Cheese Ball is an absolute breeze to make and customize to your own taste! You can experiment with different cheese combinations or add-ins like chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes or sesame seeds to customize your cheese ball. Want to add more heat? Sprinkle in some paprika or cayenne pepper!

This Reindeer Cheese Ball can be made a day or two in advance, making your holiday party prep less stressful. With just a few common ingredients you can create a totally CUTE appetizer or snack for a Christmas party, holiday movie night or the year end work potluck.

You don’t need any special decorating, cooking or baking skills because this reindeer shaped cheese ball uses ALL pre-made ingredients! It comes together quickly with common ingredients you can find at even the smallest grocery stores.

How to Make a Reindeer Cheese Ball Step by Step!

1. Soften the Cream Cheese

In a medium mixing bowl, stir and spread the two blocks of cream cheese around to soften.

2. Add the Cheese & Spices

To the softened cream cheese, add 2 cups of sharp shredded cheese, the ranch seasoning mix and sliced green onions. To add a bit of heat you can mix in a dash of paprika or cayenne pepper at this point. Mix until well combined and ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese.

3. Roll Cream Cheese into a Ball

Form the cream cheese & seasoning mixture into a nice round ball. Roll out some plastic wrap and wrap the cheese ball completely. Place the wrapped cheese ball into the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight.

4. Coarsely Chop Nuts & Bacon, Roll the Cheese Ball

Just before serving, coarsely chop the pecans and bacon slices. Mix the coarsely chopped nuts and bacon until evenly distributed and spread out onto a plate. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll it in the mixture.

5. Add Antlers, Eyes & Nose Make

Scoop away a small amount of cheese in the areas where you want the eyes and nose to go with the tip of a spoon. Press in the two olives for eyes and the cherry tomato for Rudolph’s nose. If you’re having a hard time keeping them in place use a toothpick inserted into the back to hold them in place. Press two twisted pretzels into one side of the cheese ball for antlers- repeat on the other side. Place the reindeer cheeseball on a large cutting board or charcuterie tray and surround with assorted crackers and pretzels.

I hope that you enjoyed learning how to make EASY reindeer shaped cheese ball! With simple ingredients you can quickly create a cute Christmas appetizer in minutes! Don’t forget to download and print the FREE recipe at the end of this post so you have it on hand when you need it.

Reindeer Cheese Ball Recipe

Yield: 10

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

This EASY make ahead Christmas appetizer comes together in minutes!

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Ingredients

• 16 Ounces Cream Cheese (2 blocks)
• 2 Cups Shredded Cheese (we used a sharp cheddar for flavor)
• 1 (1 oz.) Packet of Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning
• 1/4 C Sliced Green Onions
• 3/4 C Cooked Bacon Coarsely Chopped
• 1/3 C Coarsely Chopped Pecans
• 2 Whole Black Olives
• 1 Cherry Tomato
• 4 Mini Pretzel Twists
• Assortment of Crackers and Pretzels for Dipping

Instructions

In a medium mixing bowl, stir and spread the two blocks of cream cheese around to soften.

To the softened cream cheese, add 2 cups of sharp shredded cheese, the ranch seasoning mix and sliced green onions. To add a bit of heat you can mix in a dash of paprika or cayenne pepper at this point. Mix until well combined and ingredients are evenly distributed throughout the cream cheese.

Form the cream cheese & seasoning mixture into a nice round ball. Roll out some plastic wrap and wrap the cheese ball completely. Place the wrapped cheese ball into the refrigerator for 6 hours or overnight.

Just before serving, coarsely chop the pecans and bacon slices. Mix the coarsely chopped nuts and bacon until evenly distributed and spread out onto a plate. Unwrap the cheese ball and roll it in the mixture.

Scoop away a small amount of cheese in the areas where you want the eyes and nose to go with the tip of a spoon. Press in the two olives for eyes and the cherry tomato for Rudolph's nose. If you're having a hard time keeping them in place use a toothpick inserted into the back to hold them in place.

Press two twisted pretzels into one side of the cheese ball for antlers- repeat on the other side. Place the reindeer cheeseball on a large cutting board or charcuterie tray and surround with assorted crackers and pretzels.

Notes

We used chopped pecans for the outside of our reindeer shaped cheese ball but you could use walnuts or any nut you like or have available. I haven't tried this but you could also try chopped pretzel pieces.

Get creative with cheese! Mix shredded pepper jack with sharp cheddar as an example...just keep the measurements roughly the same.

You can get creative with your spices and cheese ball mix-ins. Add sun dried tomatoes if that's your style. You can also add other spices you like to suit your personal taste. I personally like things a little spicy so I add paprika or cayenne pepper to give things a kick.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 10 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 369Total Fat: 28gSaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 74mgSodium: 799mgCarbohydrates: 17gFiber: 1gSugar: 3gProtein: 12g

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