Stunning Festive Cheese Ball (Printable)

A festive cheese ball featuring cream cheese, cheddar, feta, pistachios, and pomegranate seeds.

# Ingredient list:

→ Cheese Mixture

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
03 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
04 - 2 tablespoons sour cream
05 - 2 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
08 - ¼ teaspoon salt, optional

→ Coating

09 - ½ cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
10 - 1 large pomegranate, seeds only (approx. 1 cup arils)
11 - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, finely chopped, optional

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, cheddar, feta, sour cream, chives, garlic, black pepper, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
02 - Form the mixture into a large ball using clean hands or a spatula; chill for 10 to 15 minutes if too soft to shape.
03 - Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to let the flavors meld and the cheese firm.
04 - Remove from refrigerator, unwrap, and place on serving plate.
05 - Press the chopped pistachios and pomegranate seeds evenly over the surface, alternating for a decorative effect; sprinkle parsley if desired.
06 - Present immediately with crackers, fresh vegetables, or flatbread.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours planning when it takes barely 20 minutes of hands-on work.
  • The salty pistachios and tart pomegranate seeds create this perfect tension against the creamy, umami-rich cheese.
  • You can make it hours ahead, which means you're actually relaxed when guests arrive.
  • It disappears fast—I've seen people ignore entire platters to reach for this one.
02 -
  • If you try to decorate the cheese ball when it's still warm, everything will slide off—the chill time is sacred and not optional.
  • Pomegranate seeds release juice when you press them on, which sounds messy but actually creates these beautiful pink streaks that look intentional and gorgeous.
03 -
  • Always let your cream cheese soften on the counter for 20 minutes before mixing—cold cream cheese creates lumps and frustration.
  • The pomegranate arils are fragile; harvest them over a bowl to catch any juice, then pat them dry with a towel before pressing onto the ball so they stick better.
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