How to make a fun and festive holiday party cheese ball that looks like a reindeer, think Rudolph.
This is an easy cheese ball made with cream cheese, cheddar cheese, ranch seasoning, and a coating of chopped pecans. Add a pair of black olives, two large pretzels, and a cherry tomato…..ta-dah…….Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.
Serve the cheese ball with your favorite crackers. At our house we love Ritz crackers, Sociables, and Wheat Thins.
Cheese balls are a must at any holiday gathering—at least, I think so. They seem to be the social center of any party. If you don't believe me, notice the food table at your next party and see if I'm right!
Reindeer Holiday Party Cheese Ball
Prep Time: 15 Minutes
Rest Time: 4 Hours
Yields: 1 Cheese Ball
Serves: 8-10
Ingredients:
● 2 8-ounce packages of Cream Cheese, softened
● 2 ½ Cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
● 1 Cup Chopped Pecans
● 1 Packet Ranch Seasoning
● ½ teaspoon Garlic Powder
● ½ teaspoon Worchestire Sauce
● 2 Black Olives
● 1 Cherry Tomato
● 2 Large Pretzels
Items Needed:
● 3 Toothpicks
● Rubber Gloves (optional)
● Plastic Wrap
Directions:
- Combine the cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and shredded cheddar cheese in a medium bowl and mix well.
- Roll the mixture into a ball using gloves if desired.
- Wrap in plastic wrap and place in the fridge to chill for about 4 hours or until it can be handled.
- Place the chopped pecans in a bowl and into small pieces.
- Scoop the pecans into your hand and press them into the cheese ball. This may seem difficult at first because the cheese ball will be a little hard from chilling in the refrigerator. Cover with pecans until you can’t see the cheese ball. Do not coat the flat bottom part of the cheese ball.
- For the antlers, break two large pretzels in half and then remove the little center portions. You can also just use a whole pretzel for each antler.
- Stick an antler into the top left side of the cheese ball and repeat on the right top side with the other antler.
- Push your toothpicks into place for the eyes and nose, leaving the pointy part slightly poking out.
- Cut both olives in half, using the side without the big hole as the eyes. Attach them to the toothpicks using the thickest edge of the inside of the olive.
- Attach the cherry tomato to the toothpick for the nose and gently push it into the cheese ball so that it nestles more closely to the cheese ball, making it look more natural.
- Serve on a platter with your favorite crackers and enjoy!
Mixing the cheese ball ingredients will be a breeze if your cream cheese is softened properly. I soften mine in the microwave because I usually forget to get it out ahead of time.
After mixing everything together, shape it into a tight ball and wrap it in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator for several hours.
Once the cheese ball is firm enough to work with, press the pecans into the ball using your hands. Cover as much of the cheese ball as possible with the pecans.
Now you can add the important parts!
The kids will get a kick out of the Reindeer Holiday Cheese Ball.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Do not freeze.
Reindeer Holiday Cheese Ball Party Appetizer
Author: Recipe Idea Shop
Ingredients
- 2 packages 8 Ounce Cream Cheese softened
- 2 ½ cups Shredded Cheddar Cheese
- 1 cup Chopped Pecans
- 1 package Ranch Seasoning Mix
- ½ teaspoon Worcestershire Sauce
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 2 Black Olives
- 1 Cherry Tomato
- 2 Large Pretzels
Instructions
- 1.In a medium mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, ranch seasoning, and shredded cheddar cheese. Mix well.
- 2. Roll mixture into a ball using gloves if desired.
- 3.Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in the refrigerator to chill for about 4 hours or until it can be handled.
- 4.Place the chopped pecans in a large bowl and break up into small pieces
- 5.Scoop the pecans into your hands and press them into the cheese ball. This may seem difficult at first because the cheese ball will be a little hard from chilling in the refrigerator. Cover with pecans until the cheese ball is completely covered. Do not coat the flat bottom part of the cheese ball.
- 6.For the antlers, break two large pretzels in half, and then remove the small center portions. You can also just use a whole pretzel for each antler.
- 7.Stick an antler into the top left side of the cheese ball and repeat on the right top side with the other antler.
- 8.Push the toothpicks into place for the eyes and nose, leaving the pointy part slightly poking out.
- 9.Cut both olives in half, and use the side without the big hole as the eyes. Attach them to the toothpicks using the thickest edge of the inside of the olive.
- 10.Attach the cherry tomato to the toothpick for the nose and gently push it into the cheese ball so it nestles close to the cheese ball.
- 11.Serve on a platter with your favorite crackers and enjoy!
Notes
Tips:
● Sort through the chopped pecans and break the larger pieces into smaller pieces. It is easier to cover the cheese ball with smaller pecan pieces.
● My toothpicks were super long, so I broke them down so they were easier to work with.
● Place the cheese ball in the fridge, shaped and sitting exactly how you want it to look. It will harden in the refrigerator and need to be softened to reshape.
● It is easy to place the eyes and nose. You can always reposition them if needed.
Kathy acquired the blog, Recipe Idea Shop in 2024. She was raised on a farm in Arkansas where having a big garden and good food to eat was the norm. She shares recipes for homemade comfort food and new trending dishes.
Kathy began her blogging journey in 2011 when she founded PetticoatJunktion.com, a home décor blog focused on repurposing and upcycling furniture, and thrift store finds.
