If you’re looking for a holiday appetizer that’s both festive and impressive, this Christmas Tree Cheese Ball will make you feel proud and excited to share it with guests. Creamy, savory, and packed with flavor, this holiday cheese ball combines classic cheeses, fresh herbs, a hint of citrus, and crunchy mix-ins—all shaped into an adorable Christmas tree that steals the spotlight on any holiday table.
The best part? This Christmas Tree Cheese Ball looks fancy but is easy to make with simple ingredients and minimal prep, giving you confidence and peace of mind. It’s perfect for Christmas parties, family gatherings, potlucks, or as the centerpiece of a festive holiday charcuterie board.
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
This isn’t just another cheese ball—it’s holiday magic on a platter.
- Ultra creamy with layers of savory, tangy flavor
- Festive enough to double as table décor
- Easy to decorate with ingredients you already love
- Perfect make-ahead holiday appetizer
- Customizable for allergies and preferences
Whether you’re hosting Christmas Eve, attending a holiday potluck, or building a full charcuterie spread, this Christmas Tree Cheese Ball fits right in.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Base
- 2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 (5.2 oz) package Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese
- ¾ cup shredded cheddar cheese (white or orange)
- 4 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
- 1¼ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1¼ teaspoons Dijon mustard
- ½ cup dried cranberries or cherries, chopped
- ½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
- 1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
Decorating the Tree
- 1 bunch fresh parsley, finely chopped (for coating)
- Pomegranate arils
- Red, yellow, and orange sweet bell peppers (finely diced)
- Whole pecans, sliced almonds, or pine nuts
- Halved cherry tomatoes
- Cheese slices or bell pepper pieces for a star
How to Make a Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
Gather your tools, including a mixing bowl, plastic wrap, a small star-shaped cookie cutter, and a sharp knife. These will help you easily and accurately shape and decorate the cheese tree, ensuring a professional-looking result.
Step 1: Mix the Cheese Base
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, Boursin cheese, shredded cheddar, and feta. Mix thoroughly using a spoon or gloved hands until smooth and evenly blended.
Step 2: Add Flavor
Stir in the Worcestershire sauce, Dijon mustard, and grated orange zest. These ingredients add depth and a subtle brightness that balances the richness of the cheeses.
Step 3: Fold in Crunch
Gently fold in the chopped dried fruit and nuts until evenly distributed.
Step 4: Chill
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes. This helps the mixture firm up before shaping.
Step 5: Shape the Tree
Transfer the chilled mixture onto plastic wrap and gently roll it into a log. Shape it into a Christmas tree form—tapering slightly toward the top—and flatten the base so it stands upright.
Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to fully set.
Coating & Decorating Your Christmas Tree Cheese Ball
Step 1: Finely chop fresh parsley until it resembles fluffy “evergreen needles.” For the best color and flavor, choose vibrant pomegranate arils, colorful bell peppers, and fresh cherry tomatoes.
Step 2: Spread the parsley on plastic wrap, then gently roll the cheese tree to coat all sides, creating a festive, eye-catching appearance.
Step 3: Now comes the fun part—decorating. Use pomegranate arils, bell peppers, nuts, or cherry tomatoes as colorful ornaments.
Finish with a cheese or pepper star on top for the perfect holiday touch.
Helpful Tips for the Most Festive Results
- Use room-temperature cheese for the smoothest texture
- Whip the cheese using a hand mixer or food processor for extra creaminess
- Chill before decorating so ornaments stay in place
- Wear disposable gloves for easier shaping and a cleaner finish
- Make two smaller trees instead of one large one for parties
Frequently Asked Questions
What is needed to make a holiday tree cheese ball?
A Christmas Tree Cheese Ball starts with cream cheese and a blend of flavorful cheeses, such as Boursin, feta, and cheddar. Dijon mustard, Worcestershire sauce, dried fruit, nuts, and orange zest add depth, while fresh herbs and colorful toppings turn it into a festive holiday showpiece.
What equipment is needed?
You’ll need a mixing bowl, plastic wrap, a cutting board, a sharp knife, and a serving platter. A small star-shaped cookie cutter helps create a neat tree topper.
How do I make a star for the top?
Use a small star cookie cutter with cheese or a yellow bell pepper slice. You can also cut one by hand if needed.
How do I serve a Christmas Tree Cheese Ball?
Remove it from the refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving. Place it on a platter surrounded by crackers, pretzel sticks, toasted baguette slices, veggie sticks, or bagel chips. It also looks beautiful as the centerpiece of a holiday charcuterie board.
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! This Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is ideal for make-ahead prep. Shape the tree up to a day in advance and refrigerate. Add parsley and decorations just before serving.
How do I store leftovers?
Wrap leftovers tightly and refrigerate for up to 4 days.
Can I freeze it?
You can freeze the shaped (but undecorated) cheese tree. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then coat with parsley and decorate before serving.
What variations can I try?
- Swap cranberries for cherries or raisins
- Skip nuts for allergy-friendly serving
- Use candied or roasted nuts for added flavor
- Replace parsley with finely chopped spinach
- Decorate with grapes, radish slices, or cucumber ribbons
This Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is more than just an appetizer—it’s a festive conversation starter that brings creativity, flavor, and holiday cheer to your table. Simple to prepare, easy to customize, and absolutely stunning, it’s the kind of recipe guests will ask for year after year.
If you’re building a holiday spread that’s both delicious and unforgettable, this Christmas Tree Cheese Ball deserves a starring role.
More Delicious Appetizers and Side Dishes to Try!
Bacon Ranch Cheese Ball Recipe
Easy and Yummy Sausage Cups
BBQ Meatballs Recipe
Hot Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip
Easy Beer Cheese Dip
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Christmas Tree Cheese Ball Recipe
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: serves 10-12 people 1x
Description
Festive Christmas Tree Cheese Ball made with cream cheese, herbs, and colorful toppings—an easy, make-ahead holiday appetizer.
Ingredients
2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, softened
1 (5.2 oz) package Boursin Garlic & Fine Herbs cheese
¾ cup (3 oz) shredded cheddar cheese (white or orange)
4 Tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
1 ¼ teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 ¼ teaspoons Dijon mustard
½ cup dried cranberries or cherries, chopped
½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
1 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
For Decorating the tree:
1 bunch fresh parsley finely chopped (for coating)
1 pomegranate cut open for the arils.
Red, yellow and orange sweet bell peppers cut into tiny squares or one side for a star.
Slices of cheese block for a star
Whole pecans, sliced almonds or pine nuts
Halved cherry tomatoes
Instructions
- In a large bowl add the cream cheese, Boursin, shredded cheddar and crumbled feta. Using either a gloved hand or a spoon, mix until thoroughly combined.
- Mix in the Worcestershire sauce, dijon mustard and orange zest.
- Fold in the chopped dried fruit and nuts. Mix until all the flavors are combined.
- Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let chill in your refrigerator for 30 minutes.
- Remove the chilled mix and roll it into a log, use your hands and plastic wrap for support to gently form the mix into a Christmas tree shape.
- Stand it up and push the bottom flat.
- Take the Christmas tree and stand up in your refrigerator on a plate and allow it to firm up for at least an hour.
- Pull the parsley leaves off and chop with a sharp knife until finely minced. You can also add it in your food processor and pulse a few times to chop quickly and finely.
- Lay down a large sheet of plastic wrap on your counter.
- Spread the minced parsley on the plastic wrap.
- Roll cheese mixture into the parsley covering all sides.
- Use your favorite food decorations to decorate your Christmas tree cheese ball.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes chill time + 20 minutes decorating time
A former school teacher, Jocelyn Brown created Hip Mama’s Place in 2007. Her motto for this blog is: get inspired, create and share! Jocelyn loves sharing about food and recipes, crafts, DIY projects and her random travels with her family. She also loves all things social media, but her latest obsession is Instagram.
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OMG! This is so cute and it could make a perfect centerpiece for the holidays. Thank you for sharing this recipe. Would love to try it and hopefully, I can make one as pretty as yours.
This turned out so cute! I’ve made a snowman cheese ball before, but hadn’t thought about a Christmas tree before this! Those flavors together are just perfect
What a fun, festive appetiser idea that I know would go down very well with the family. I love that this can be made in advance making it a great option to serve on the day.
I kept picturing you shaping that mix into a little tree while reading your post, almost like a tiny holiday craft you can eat. It feels like the sort of thing guests nibble at while catching up before dinner. I might try making a smaller version for a cosy night in because it seems simple and fun.
This is my favorite kind of holiday recipe. Turning it into a decoration too is awesome!
Best recipe ever. I love cheese raisin taste combo. Moreover it has no eggs and perfect for a vegetarian diet!
What a fun and festive idea for a cheese ball. A piece of art you can eat how fun for the holiday season
I like the idea of making food that looks like the decoration; that cheese ball is a fun touch.
Wow — this Christmas Tree Cheese Ball is such a clever and festive idea. I love how it’s both delicious and makes a beautiful centerpiece for holiday get-togethers.
This is the most festive cheeseball I’ve ever seen. You really outdid yourself on this one!
WOW, just wow! This Christmas tree cheese ball is beyond impressive; I wouldn’t even want to eat it…..just so cute but of course my family and friends would devour it. LOL I’m going to try to make this, I just hope it turns our right lol
That is a beautiful food presentation. In just one look, you can feel that the holidays celebration is surreal. I love this!
Such a great idea! I’ll definitely make this Christmas tree cheese ball for the Christmas table. It looks fantastic and so tasty.
The presentation of this Christmas tree cheese looks restaurant-quality, and your instructions make me feel like I can recreate it at home.
Oh my gosh, this is so cute to eat! It would be perfect for any gatherings this holiday season. I also love that it’s fairly easy to make with simple ingredients. I need to give this one a shot!
Maureen | http://www.littlemisscasual.com
This would be a 10/10 for my family for sure! It’s a cute and unique holiday treat! Printing this recipe now!