Christmas Cheese Ball (Printable Version)
# What You'll Need:
→ Cheese Mixture
01 -
227 g cream cheese, softened
02 -
170 g goat cheese, room temperature
03 -
100 g shredded Gruyère or sharp white cheddar
→ Add-ins
04 -
60 g sliced toasted almonds
05 -
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
06 -
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
07 -
Kosher salt, to taste
08 -
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
→ Coating and Serving
09 -
160 g pomegranate arils
10 -
Crackers, for serving
# Step-by-Step Directions:
01 -
In a large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, goat cheese, and Gruyère until smooth. Gently fold in toasted almonds, parsley, and thyme. Season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Shape the mixture into a single large ball.
02 -
Place pomegranate arils on a plate. Roll the cheese ball over the arils until fully coated. Press gently to fill any cracks and ensure an even coating.
03 -
Refrigerate the coated cheese ball for approximately 20 minutes until firm and chilled. Serve accompanied by crackers.
# Helpful Notes:
01 -
For best flavor and freshness, seed pomegranate yourself rather than using store-bought arils. Keep leftover cheese ball refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days; store pomegranate seeds separately.