Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Reindeer Cheese Ball Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.5 from 98 reviews
  • Author: Emily
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 10 servings 1x
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This festive Reindeer Cheese Ball is a delightful and creamy appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with cream cheese, sour cream, cheddar cheese, and ranch seasoning, it’s coated in crunchy pecans and decorated with olives, a cherry tomato, and pretzels to resemble a reindeer. Easy to prepare and sure to impress, this cheese ball combines creamy, tangy, and nutty flavors for a crowd-pleasing party snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Ball Mixture

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

Coating and Decoration

  • 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, e.g., Snyder’s Olde Tyme Pretzels)

Instructions

  1. Mix the cream cheese and sour cream: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream together until smooth and well incorporated. Letting the cream cheese come to room temperature beforehand makes mixing easier.
  2. Add shredded cheese and ranch seasoning: Add the shredded cheddar cheese and ranch seasoning mix to the bowl. Start by mixing in 2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning and beat until evenly combined. Taste the mixture and add the remaining 1 tablespoon if you want stronger flavor, then beat again thoroughly.
  3. Mold and chill the cheese ball: Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on your work surface. Pour the cheese mixture onto the plastic wrap, mold it into a ball shape using the wrap, and twist the wrap shut. Refrigerate the cheese ball for at least 4-6 hours, or preferably overnight, to let it firm up and hold its shape.
  4. Coat the cheese ball with pecans: Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and transfer it to a large plate or shallow bowl filled with chopped pecans. Press the pecans evenly onto the surface of the cheese ball so it is fully coated.
  5. Decorate with eyes, nose, and antlers: Press two pretzels into the top of the cheese ball to form antlers, ensuring they stand upright. Place two pitted black olives on the ball for eyes and a cherry tomato for the nose. Secure these decorations by making a small indent in the cheese or optionally using toothpicks or pretzel sticks to keep them in place.
  6. Serve and enjoy: Surround the cheese ball with crackers and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. Serve chilled and enjoy this festive, flavorful holiday appetizer!

Notes

  • If you leave a small indent on the cheese ball where pecans don’t cover, the olive eyes and cherry tomato nose will stick well without extra support.
  • To ensure eyes and nose stay firmly attached, you can use toothpicks or pretzel sticks as edible supports.
  • For best flavor, chill the cheese ball overnight to allow the seasonings to meld together.
  • Use softened cream cheese at room temperature to make mixing easier and smooth.
  • Serve with a variety of crackers or fresh veggies for a festive presentation.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice (approx. 1/10 of cheese ball)
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 1.5 g
  • Sodium: 310 mg
  • Fat: 18 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 4 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 5 g
  • Cholesterol: 35 mg

Find it online: https://emilyquickdinners.com/reindeer-cheese-ball-recipe/