Holiday Ornament Cluster Platter (Printable)

Colorful cheese ball clusters coated with nuts, herbs, and cranberries, decorated with rosemary sprigs.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese Ball Mixture

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
03 - 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
04 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
05 - 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
06 - 1/2 tsp garlic powder
07 - Salt and pepper, to taste

→ Ornament Coatings

08 - 1/3 cup finely chopped pistachios
09 - 1/3 cup dried cranberries, finely chopped
10 - 1/3 cup poppy seeds
11 - 1/3 cup finely chopped parsley
12 - 1/3 cup finely chopped roasted red peppers
13 - 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

→ Decoration

14 - 12 small rosemary sprigs

→ Serving

15 - Assorted crackers or sliced baguette (optional)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - In a medium bowl, blend cream cheese, cheddar, mozzarella, chives, Dijon mustard, garlic powder, salt, and pepper until smooth and homogeneous.
02 - Divide the mixture into 12 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball.
03 - Place each coating ingredient separately in shallow bowls, then roll 3 or 4 cheese balls in each to create distinct clusters.
04 - Group cheese balls on a serving platter in sets of 3 or 4, forming tight round clusters resembling ornaments.
05 - Insert a small rosemary sprig atop each cluster as a decorative hook.
06 - Serve immediately or chill until ready. Pair with crackers or baguette slices if desired.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • They look like you spent hours in the kitchen, but they're honestly ready in 25 minutes—perfect for when you're hosting and need to look effortless
  • No cooking required means less stress and more time to enjoy your guests instead of being tied to the stove
  • You can make them days ahead and keep them in the fridge, which means less scrambling on party day
02 -
  • Don't skip softening the cream cheese—it's the difference between a silky mixture that rolls easily and one that's grainy and frustrating to work with
  • The rosemary doesn't just look pretty; it actually perfumes your fingers and the air around the platter, which adds to the whole sensory experience of the holiday
03 -
  • Use a cookie scoop when portioning the cheese mixture—it makes the balls consistent in size and takes the guesswork out of 'how big should each one be?'
  • If any coatings aren't sticking well, lightly dampen your fingers and press them into the cheese ball first, then roll it in the coating—the moisture helps everything cling together
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