What’s better than a cheese ball? A cheese snowman, that’s what!
So, as you all know, I’m a major fan of cheese balls. They’re the perfect party appetizer: easy to make, easy to serve, and always a crowd-pleaser for young and old alike.
Best of all, the basic cheese ball is an incredibly versatile recipe with infinite variations. You can try different kinds of cheese in the base, switch up the seasonings, add a myriad of different toppings…it’s almost impossible to go wrong.
The only thing that can make a cheese ball even better is turning it from a plain old ball into a fun shape that fits in with a seasonal gathering. A couple years ago, I came up with this pumpkin-shaped cheese ball for a fall party, and it was such a BIG HIT that I just had to make up a variation on it for winter.
And here it is: the Holiday Ranch Cheese Ball, a jolly happy soul with a carrot nose and peppercorn eyes. Just pop him on a plate with a variety of your favorite veggies or crackers, and he’ll be the life of any winter party.
Holiday Ranch Cheese Ball
Ingredients:
16 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
1 (1 oz) packet of dry ranch mix ( or 3 Tablespoons of my DIY dry ranch mix)
2 cups shredded white cheddar (shredded mozzarella or an Italian blend works well too!), divided
plastic cling wrap ( for shaping balls)
9-10 whole peppercorns
1 small carrot
a variety of veggies, chips an crackers to eat with
- Place your cream cheese, ranch and 1 cup of shredded cheese into a stand mixer. Mix until well combined.
- Lay out 2 pieces of plastic cling wrap. Place about 1 cup of cheese mixture into the center of one piece and the rest on the other. The larger ball should be about 1.5 cups. Remember, you want one to be larger for the bottom of the snowman.
- Wrap up the balls and round them out with your hands. Refrigerate for about 2 hours.
NOTE: They don’t have to be perfect, the shredded cheese you place on the outside at the end will hide any bumpy flaws. - Once they have chilled, roll your cheese balls in the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Form your cheese ball snowman on a plate. Placing peppercorns on for his eyes, mouth and buttons. Don’t forget the carrot nose! Surround your happy little holiday ranch cheese ball with your favorite veggies, crackers and chips!
- Isn’t he the cutest thing you’ve ever seen
Isn’t he the cutest thing you’ve ever seen!
Here are more holiday recipes we love!
- How to Roast a Turkey
- The Best Prime Rib Recipe
- Cream Cheese Mints
- 30 Appetizers People Love
- How to Ship Baked Goods
- Crockpot Candied Pecans
- Smothered Green Bean Casserole
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Holiday Ranch Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese at room temperature
- 1 1 oz packet of dry ranch mix ( or 3 Tablespoons of my DIY dry ranch mix)
- 2 cups shredded white cheddar shredded mozzarella or an Italian blend works well too!, divided
- plastic cling wrap for shaping balls
- 9-10 whole peppercorns
- 1 small carrot
- a variety of veggies chips an crackers to eat with
Instructions
- Place your cream cheese, ranch and 1 cup of shredded cheese into a stand mixer. Mix until well combined.
- Lay out 2 pieces of plastic cling wrap. Place about 1 cup of cheese mixture into the center of one piece and the rest on the other. The larger ball should be about 1.5 cups. Remember, you want one to be larger for the bottom of the snowman.
- Wrap up the balls and round them out with your hands. Refrigerate for about 2 hours.
- NOTE: They don't have to be perfect, the shredded cheese you place on the outside at the end will hide any bumpy flaws.
- Once they have chilled, roll your cheese balls in the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheese.
- Form your cheese ball snowman on a plate. Placing peppercorns on for his eyes, mouth and buttons. Don't forget the carrot nose! Surround your happy little holiday ranch cheese ball with your favorite veggies, crackers and chips!
Video
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Nutrition Information:
Nutrition Disclaimer
Family Fresh Meals is not a dietician or nutritionist, and any nutritional information shared is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.
Laura b says
Adorable!! There’s no doubt that the taste of this cheese ball would be a party hit but the look of it would indeed, make it a conversation piece. My grandchildren will adore it…..
Corey says
Thanks Laura!
Jonikas says
I love this!! I think I would use mini chocolate chips instead of peppercorns though … especially if my grandkids were eating it. 🙂
Corey says
Thanks a great idea! I was just trying to stick to the savory theme 🙂 Raisins would work too!
Cat says
my mom made this snowman for an appetizer on thanksgiving – it was so cute and so tasty!!!
Kate @ Framed Cooks says
OK, this is officially the most adorable cheese ball I have EVER seen! He’s almost too cute to eat! Great idea. 🙂
Corey says
Thanks Kate!
J Rose says
Oh my goodness. This is the cutest cheeseball I have ever seen in my entire life! *hugs it regrettably*
Stephanie @ Sustaining the Powers says
Oh my cuteness!!!! This is really the most adorable cheese ball I have ever seen. The fluffy shredded cheese is just perfect! I am pinning to make him for our Christmas party for sure!
Amee says
This is just adorable!!! I might just have to make him for my cookie exchange this weekend. 🙂
Jennifer says
Super cute! I’m making this for a holiday potluck. I’d like to make it the night before. How will this keep in the refridgerator?
Corey says
You can make the initial balls the night before, but I wouldn’t add the cheese onto the outside until serving.
Angie says
Just made one. SO easy to make! He’s adorable and looks very yummy!
Corey says
Yay! I’m so glad you loved the snowman 🙂
Barbara Lawson says
This cheese ball snowman is adorable! I don’t want to eat it. I will make one for our Office Christmas Party.
Marsha says
I made this snowman cheeseball for my cooking group. They all thought it was the cutest idea ever; a real hit.
chris says
This is cute and will taste delicious. About 30 minutes ago, I made the pumpkin shaped cheese ball for my book group tonight. I do think that making the ball and chilling it before coating with the cheese will coat better and will be easier, like you show in the directions. Thanks for the inspiration!
Karen says
Can this be made ahead and frozen?
Corey says
I have never done that before Karen, but if you have done that with other cheese balls before, it should work just fine. I would wait to roll the cheese on until after you thaw.
Tammie says
I made this last year, no one wanted to eat him because he was so cute! I also added strips of roasted red pepper to use as a scarf. Fun!!
Corey says
Hahaha. It is sad to take the first scoop of him! Love the roasted red pepper scarf idea!