This reindeer cheese ball will bring a touch of Christmas magic to your table at any holiday party. Rudolph is looking extra adorable in cheese ball form, and this delightful appetizer is a new staple for all my Christmas gatherings!
The best part? This festive cheese ball isn’t just cute; it’s truly delicious too! After making this recipe, I immediately started snacking.
It is made with smoky spices, a hint of paprika, and coated in pecans. Rudolph has never been so charming. In this holiday cheese ball, his nose is a cherry tomato nose, with olive eyes and pretzel antlers. Whether hosting a lively gathering or adding holiday flair to a cozy family night, this Rudolph Cheese Ball will surely have everyone grinning before the first bite!
How To Make A Reindeer Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- Crushed pecans
- Pitted black olives
- A Cherry tomato
- Crushed pecans
- Cream cheese
- Mexican-blend cheese
- Smoked paprika
- Oregano
- Chili powder
- Garlic powder
- Salt & Pepper
With these ingredients, you can make a few substitutes according to what you have on hand. If you don’t have the exact right kind of shredded cheese, feel free to use what you have on hand such as cheddar cheese.
Also, if you don’t have smoked paprika, feel free to use whatever version of paprika you have on hand. Now, with that said, I do believe that smoky flavor really adds to the recipe.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: The first thing that you need to do is bring the cream cheese to room temperature.
Step 2: Add the cream cheese, shredded cheese and all of the spices to a large mixing bowl.
Step 3: Stir to mix the ingredients. It can take a minute to mix so stir vigorously.
Step 4: Put on some gloves and shape the cheese mixture into a ball. Then, transfer it to a plate and chill it in the fridge. You can cover the cheeseball and keep it in the fridge until you are ready to finish preparing it and serve it.
So if you are working ahead, pause at this step until about 15 minutes before you are ready to put this on the table.
Step 5: While the cheese ball is chilling, add some pecans to a food processor.
Step 6: Add the crushed pecan pieces to a medium-sized bowl. Set this bowl of pecans aside until you are ready to create and serve. My tip here is to move on to the next step when you are almost ready to display and serve the reindeer cheese ball.
Step 7: When you are ready, remove the cheese ball from the fridge, roll it, and coat it in the pecan pieces. When coating the cheese ball, feel comfortable pressing the pecan pieces to make sure that they really stick to the ball.
Step 8: Place the olives for the eyes and the tomato for the nose. With your gloves on, use your fingers to create a space to place the olives and little tomato.
Step 9: Place the pretzels for the antlers. Using your finger press in a space on each side to place the pretzels.
Rudolph Cheese Ball Recipe
A festive Rudolph-inspired cheese ball perfect for holiday gatherings, featuring a smoky, spicy blend of cheeses coated in crunchy pecans with a cherry tomato nose, olive eyes, and pretzel antlers.
Ingredients
- Crushed pecans
- 2 Pitted black olives
- 1 Cherry tomato
- Crushed pecans
- 2 pretzel pieces (bow shape)
- 8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
- ½ c. Mexican-blend cheese
- ½ t. smoked paprika
- ½ t. oregano
- ½ t. chili powder
- ½ t. garlic powder
- Sea salt and black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, Mexican cheese, smoked paprika, Mexican oregano, chipotle powder, and garlic powder. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Mix vigorously until well mixed.
- Shape the cheese mixture into a ball with your hands (don’t forget your gloves) and transfer it to a serving plate. Place the cheese ball into the fridge to firm it up just a little, around 5-10 minutes.
- When ready to serve, remove the cheese ball from the fridge and roll it in the pecans until thoroughly coated.
- Place the olives for the eyes and the tomato for the nose.
- Place the pretzels for the antlers.
- Return to a serving dish and serve immediately with your choice of accompaniments!
Notes
For a milder flavor, adjust the chipotle powder and smoked paprika to taste. Refrigerate the cheese ball briefly to help it firm up before rolling in pecans. For the best presentation, assemble Rudolph’s face just before serving to keep the eyes, nose, and antlers in place. Serve with crackers, veggies, or your favorite dippers!