Save to Pinterest Adorable and festive, these creamy herb-infused cheeseball snowmen are perfect for holiday entertaining. Served with crisp vegetable dippers, they&re as delightful to eat as they are to look at.
I made these cheeseball snowmen last December for a family potluck, and they were the centerpiece of the table. Everyone loved decorating their own snowmen with extra veggie scarves and crunchy pretzel stick arms.
Ingredients
- Cheeseballs: 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened, 1 cup (100 g) shredded sharp cheddar cheese, 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped, 1 tsp garlic powder, ½ tsp onion powder, ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper, ¼ tsp sea salt
- For Rolling & Decorating: ½ cup (50 g) finely chopped toasted pecans (optional, for rolling), ½ cup (50 g) shredded coconut (unsweetened, for rolling), ½ cup (60 g) finely grated Parmesan cheese (for rolling), whole black peppercorns or black olive pieces (for eyes/buttons), mini carrot sticks or carrot slices (for noses), fresh chive stems (for scarf/ties), pretzel sticks (for arms, optional), sliced red bell pepper or pimento (for scarves, optional)
- Veggie Dippers: 2 medium carrots, cut into sticks, 1 cucumber, sliced into sticks, 1 red bell pepper, sliced, 1 yellow bell pepper, sliced, 1 cup (100 g) cherry tomatoes, 1 cup (100 g) snap peas
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Mixture:
- Combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar, chives, parsley, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and salt in a large bowl. Mix until smooth and well combined.
- Shape Cheeseballs:
- Divide mixture into 16 portions: 8 large balls for bodies and 8 small balls for heads.
- Coat Cheeseballs:
- Roll each ball in pecans, coconut, or Parmesan. Pair one small ball atop one large ball to form snowmen. Press gently to secure.
- Chill:
- Refrigerate snowmen for at least 1 hour to firm up.
- Decorate:
- Add eyes and buttons with peppercorns or olives, carrot sticks for noses, chive stems or bell pepper/pimento for scarves, and pretzel sticks for arms if desired.
- Serve:
- Arrange snowmen on a platter surrounded by veggie dippers. Serve chilled.
Save to Pinterest My kids love helping decorate the snowmen with veggie scarves and carrot noses. It's a fun holiday activity that always makes us laugh together around the table.
Required Tools
Mixing bowl, rubber spatula, knife and cutting board, small spoon for shaping, parchment paper, serving platter
Allergen Information
Contains milk (cream cheese, cheddar, Parmesan), tree nuts (pecans, optional), and gluten (pretzel sticks, optional). Use substitutions and double-check labels for allergen needs.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: Calories: 220, Total Fat: 17 g, Carbohydrates: 7 g, Protein: 7 g
Save to Pinterest These festive snowmen will bring joyful smiles to your next gathering and are as delicious as they look. Enjoy customizing with your favorite coatings and dippers.
Common Recipe Questions
- → What cheeses are used in the cheeseball snowmen?
The mix includes softened cream cheese combined with shredded sharp cheddar and Parmesan for rolling.
- → How are the snowmen decorated?
Black peppercorns or olive pieces form eyes and buttons, mini carrot sticks create noses, and chive stems or bell pepper strips serve as scarves.
- → Can the cheeseballs be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, the cheeseball snowmen can be assembled up to 24 hours in advance and kept refrigerated until serving.
- → What dipping vegetables pair well with the cheeseballs?
Chilled carrots, cucumber, red and yellow bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, and snap peas complement the flavors and textures nicely.
- → Are there gluten-free options for dippers?
Yes, using gluten-free crackers or sticking to fresh vegetables ensures a gluten-free serving.
- → Can the pecans be substituted for nut allergies?
Sunflower seeds offer a nut-free alternative for rolling the cheeseballs without compromising texture.