Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree is a showstopper! Move over antipasto platters…this Christmas tree is even better!
Not only is this cheese ball full of sun dried tomatoes, red bell peppers, chives and seasonings on the inside, the OUTSIDE is where it gets antipasto serious! Serve it on a platter with cold meats such as salami and prosciutto, PLUS crackers!
Cheese Balls
What better way to kick off your festivities than with an irresistible cheese ball! Especially one filled with your favourite antipasti ingredients.
Which cheese to use in cheese balls?
Packaged cream cheese will work here, as in full fat or low fat. I don’t suggest using spreadable cream cheese as it may collapse before serving, while packaged cream cheese hardens back up in the refrigerator after shaping.
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Make sure your cream cheese is easy to work with and softened to help mix the other ingredients through it properly. Take it out of the refrigerator at least half an hour before starting the dip for easier mixing.
The dip part is extremely versatile. If you want to add different ingredients to suit your tastes, go for it!
How To Make An Antipasto Cheese Ball Tree
- To mould the tree out of your cream cheese dip, you’ll need to place a piece of plastic wrap down on your bench top first, then scoop out the prepared dip onto the plastic wrap.
- Place another piece of plastic wrap over it to cover it and mould it with your hands until it forms a tree. Depending on the width of your plastic wrap, you may need a second piece to completely cover it so you don’t get dip all over your hands.
- The cream cheese is more stable in a wider tree shape rather than a tall, thin tree. The taller tree folds over and collapses.
- If you find your cream cheese has softened too much and won’t hold its shape, refrigerate it until it thickens again.
If you need a visual, watch the video at the bottom of this post!
After you’ve moulded it, use a cake spatula or knife to smooth it out.
Then cover it completely wth antipasto ingredients! I used mixed olives and sun dried tomatoes for mine, and used a yellow bell pepper (capsicum) to cut out a star for the top! THEN, for added flavour, brush over the olives with some sun dried tomato oil from the jar! YUM!
The BEST holiday cheese ball!
How long can a cheese ball keep in the refrigerator?
Cheese balls will usually last for 24 to 48 hours in the refrigerator.
Creamy deliciousness on the inside of this Antipasto Cheese Ball Christmas Tree!
Looking for more Christmas Showstoppers?
Caprese Christmas Wreath
Bloomin’ Onion Garlic Bread (Pull Apart Bread)
Brown Sugar Mustard Glazed Ham Recipe
ANTIPASTO CHEESE BALL CHRISTMAS TREE ON VIDEO!
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Antipasto Cheeseball Christmas Tree is a showstopper! Move over antipasto platters...this Christmas tree is even better! Not only is this cheeseball full of sun dried tomatoes, red bell peppers, chives and seasonings on the inside, the OUTSIDE is where it gets antipasto serious! Serve it on a platter with cold meats such as salami and prosciutto, PLUS crackers!
- 4 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
- 1/2 cup red bell peppers (or capsicum ), diced
- 1/4 cup dill pickles, finely diced
- 1/4 cup chives, chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon onion powder
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- Salt, to taste (if desired)
- 1 1/2 - 2 cups pitted mixed olives (I use a variety of black, green and Kalamata olives) -- dried with paper towel
- 1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped (dried with paper towel)
- Rosemary leaves/sprigs to decorate
- Ritz, water crackers or pretzels for serving
- Salami slices, for serving
- Prosciutto slices, for serving
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In a bowl combine all the ingredients for the dip and mix until the ingredients are well combined.
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Place a piece of non-stick plastic wrap on a clean bench top or work surface. Scoop the cream cheese mixture out onto the plastic wrap and completely cover with another piece of wrap (you may need two pieces to cover it).
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Use your hands to mould the cream cheese into a tree shape. Then, carefully pick up the tree with one hand and peel off the plastic wrap on the bottom of the tree with your other hand. Place the tree straight onto a serving plate.
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Use a cake spatula to smooth the edges. Decorate with olives, sun-dried tomatoes and rosemary leaves/sprigs, lightly pressing each element into the cream cheese to ensure they stay on. Brush with some sun dried tomato oil from the jar (optional but adds even more flavour)!
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Top with a star cut out of a yellow or orange bell pepper OR a thick slice of cheese.
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Serve with crackers of your choice, salami and prosciutto slices rolled up!
ENJOY!
- The cream cheese is more stable in a wider tree shape rather than a tall, thin tree. The taller tree folds over and collapses.
- If you find your cream cheese has softened too much and won't hold its shape, refrigerate it until it thickens again (about 20 minutes).
- Pat dry each olive and sun dried tomato on a sheet of paper towel before decorating your tree to make sure they stay on, or they may slide off if covered in oil from the jar.
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Karina says
Yes, that should work great! Let me know how it turns out. Enjoy!
Jody says
So beautiful, not to mention delicious! A genius idea, which I will use this holiday season. Thank you so much for sharing. I am sure it will knock the socks off my guests.
Marisa says
Could you use a sharp cheddar spread like pub cheese or merks port wine?
Karina says
You can use toothpicks if that is easier but the ingredients will just stick to the cheeseball as it is sticky. Hope you enjoy! XO
KF says
How do the items STICK to the tree? Do you use toothpicks?
Barry Cramer says
I send very high compliments to you and anybody else who came up with these amazing
receipes I am totally blown away with these unique ideas and will refer to them often. Thank You
all or just you Karina .
Sharlene says
I loved this so much but saw it after Christmas so I did my own version was very popular. Thanks
Theresa says
This ‘Antipasto cream cheese tree,’ is DELICIOUS!! Not only is it very pleasing to the eye, but the taste is delightful with the combination of ingredients!! Adorned by crackers, prosciutto, salami, etc, @ the base; ‘Eye-Candy,’ as well. I think creating it 2 days prior to serving, would be fine. We all found it tasted even better w each day that passed & actually ‘craved’ the taste.
*****
An Aussie says
So yummy and looks gorgeous! Thank you 😘
Leanne Batchelor says
Hey Donna, I used roasted red peppers as well as the sun dried tomato. Works well!!
Tina says
Would like to know too how far in advance this can be made too.
Donna Lombardo says
Hi Karina,
I love this idea for Christmas!
Not to mess with your recipe but have a question-
Do you think roasted red peppers could be substituted for the sun dried tomatoes?
*As well as the oil in the jar used to brush on?
Just curious, my family LOVES roasted red peppers.
They usually do not care for the sun dried tomatoes……….
Please let me know your thoughts.
Karina says
Hi Lissa. We made this a day before and it was still good. Just don’t brush with oil until you’re about to serve.
Karina says
Hi Lynn. Yes I did.
Lynn says
Did you used sun dried tomatoes packed in oil?
Lissa says
How far in advance can this be made?
Betty Williams says
The antipasto cheese ball looks great, making it for a family party on Dec 23rd, theme is Italian.