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The festive reindeer cheese ball is arranged on a serving platter on the white marble cooktop, surrounded by a variety of crackers and garnished with fresh herbs for a holiday touch.

Reindeer Cheese Ball Recipe

This festive Reindeer Cheese Ball is as delightful to look at as it is to eat! It’s the perfect combination of creamy, cheesy goodness with a fun, holiday-inspired design to brighten up your appetizer table.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Chilling Time 4 hours
Total Time 4 hours 15 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 275 kcal

Equipment

  • Large mixing bowl
  • Hand Mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Plastic Wrap
  • Cutting Board
  • Knife
  • Shallow Plate or Bowl
  • Toothpicks or Pretzel Sticks (optional)
  • Serving platter

Ingredients
  

For the Cheese Ball:

  • 2 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup sour cream
  • 8- ounce block medium cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 –3 tablespoons ranch seasoning mix
  • For the Coating & 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

Optional:

  • Crackers for serving
  • Fresh herbs for garnish

Instructions
 

Prepare the Cheese Mixture:

  • In a large bowl, use a hand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and sour cream until smooth and creamy.
    A large glass mixing bowl on a white marble cooktop contains softened cream cheese and sour cream being beaten with a hand mixer until smooth. Nearby, shredded cheddar cheese and ranch seasoning await addition.
  • Add the shredded cheddar cheese and 2 tablespoons of ranch seasoning mix. Beat until the ingredients are evenly combined. Taste the mixture and, if needed, add another tablespoon of ranch seasoning for extra flavor.

Shape the Cheese Ball:

  • Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on your counter. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the plastic wrap.
    A sheet of plastic wrap spread out on a white marble cooktop with the cheese mixture being spooned onto it and shaped into a smooth ball
  • Use the wrap to shape the mixture into a ball. Twist the wrap tightly to secure the shape, then refrigerate for 4–6 hours or overnight, allowing the cheese ball to firm up.

Coat the Cheese Ball:

  • Once chilled, remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it.
  • Place the chopped pecans on a large plate or shallow bowl. Gently roll the cheese ball in the pecans, pressing them into the surface until fully coated.
    The chilled cheese ball is being rolled in chopped pecans on a shallow plate placed on the white marble cooktop. The pecans evenly coat the surface of the ball.

Decorate the Reindeer:

  • Insert the pretzels on top as antlers, pressing them deep enough to stay in place.
    The cheese ball, now shaped like a reindeer, sits on the white marble cooktop. It is decorated with pretzel antlers, black olive eyes, and a cherry tomato nose, secured with toothpicks.
  • Add the black olives for eyes and the cherry tomato for the nose. Secure these with toothpicks or pretzel sticks for an edible option.

Serve:

  • Place the cheese ball on a serving platter and surround it with crackers. Garnish with fresh herbs for a festive touch if desired.
    The festive reindeer cheese ball is arranged on a serving platter on the white marble cooktop, surrounded by a variety of crackers and garnished with fresh herbs for a holiday touch.