Ranch Snowman Cheeseball

Make the holidays extra special with this zesty Ranch Snowman Cheeseball! This cheeseball is a simple and savory way to celebrate the season. The combination of ranch seasoning and cream cheese creates a smooth, creamy cheeseball that’s perfect for snacking or as an appetizer. Plus, it looks festive when you shape it into a snowman and decorate it with carrot nose and peppercorn eyes. 21+ This recipe was created in a paid partnership with Erath Wines.

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Ranch Snowman Cheeseball Recipe

A cheeseball is the perfect addition to a holiday wine party. Whether you opt for a classic cheddar cheeseball or a snowman cheeseball, its smooth texture and creamy taste pair perfectly with any red or white wine you may be serving. Plus, it’s easy to make and requires minimal ingredients!

If you’re looking for something different try making a ranch cheeseball. This version takes all the amazing flavors of ranch dressing and combines them into an irresistible ball of flavor. Just mix together cream cheese, dry ranch seasoning mix, shredded cheese, chives, spices, and parsley flakes until everything is evenly combined. Then roll in more shredded cheese and refrigerate until your guests arrive! It’s that easy and it’s sure to be a hit.

Ingredients

Cream Cheese – You will need two 8-ounce bricks of softened cream cheese.

Shredded Cheese – Shredded Monterey Jack cheese and sharp white cheddar are used for in the cheeseball and “snow” outer coating.

Seasoning – You will need a 1.5-ounce packet of ranch seasoning.

Herbs – This cheeseball features fresh parsley, chopped, but chives can also be used. You will also need two sprigs of rosemary for the snowman’s arms.

Face – You will need peppercorns for the mouth and buttons, and a baby carrot for the nose. We carved ours using a knife to make it pointy.

Making a Snowman Cheeseball

In a large bowl, mix your softened cream cheese, 11/2 cups of cheddar, ranch seasoning, and parsley. Form the mixture into two balls with one being smaller than the other. The smaller ball is the head, and the larger ball is the body.

Wrap balls tightly with plastic wrap and chill for at least one hour.

Once chilled, roll the balls in shredded Monterey Jack cheese to form the snow texture. Place the body base on a serving dish, and then press the head in. Add the peppercorn eyes, mouth, and buttons followed by the carrot nose.

Insert the rosemary arms and then fill the area with various crackers for dipping. Serve immediately.

Cheeseball Ingredient Add-ins

A cheeseball is a versatile and delicious appetizer or snack that can be customized to suit any occasion. For added flavor and texture, various ingredients can be added to the mix before rolling into a ball, such as nuts, herbs, spices, dried fruit or other pantry staples. Crushed pretzels make for an incredibly crunchy outer layer and crushed crackers, or crispy bacon bits are also a popular choice. For extra zest, add chopped green onion or minced garlic. If you’re feeling adventurous, try adding jalapeno or cayenne pepper to give it a spicy kick. Whatever ingredients you choose, be creative and have fun!

Once all of the add-ins are combined, form into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap until it resembles a traditional cheeseball shape. Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow flavors to meld together before serving with crackers or chips.

Cheeseball Wine Pairing Ideas

This Snowman Cheeseball is a festive companion for wine. For red wine pairings, a Pinot Noir or Zinfandel are great options. They provide a nice balance of fruit and spice to help bring out the saltiness in the cheese. The folks at Erath Wine have a variety of delicious varietals for all your entertaining needs.

Erath Wines are world-class and have been around since for over 40 years and is created in the Dundee Hills of Oregon. Their award-winning pinot noir pars perfectly with our cheeseball.

No matter what wine Erath Wine you choose, this festive ranch cheeseball is sure to make an impression! With just a few ingredients, it can be easily whipped up in no time for your winter special occasion. Guests will love it – don’t forget the crackers.

How to Store a Cheeseball

Refrigerator

The best way to store a cheeseball is in an airtight container or resealable plastic bag in the refrigerator. To keep your cheeseball fresh, it is important to remove as much moisture from the cheese ball as possible and seal tightly so no more moisture can get inside. You may also consider placing a paper towel inside the container to help absorb any additional moisture that seeps out of the cheese ball during storage. It will stay fresh for up to five days.

Freezer

If you plan on keeping it longer than that, you can freeze it for up to three months and thaw when ready to eat. When freezing, it’s best to wrap the cheeseball in a double layer of plastic wrap to ensure it remains airtight. When thawing, you should place the cheeseball in the refrigerator overnight so that it can slowly defrost without melting or becoming soggy. For optimal results, consider eating your frozen cheeseball within one month after freezing.

Snacks to Pair with Wine

Looking for more Erath wine-friendly pairings? Check out these!

• Cranberry Havarti Puff Pastry Bites
• Pear, Fig, and Brie Puff Pastry
• Guacamole Shrimp Cups
• Real Crabmeat Salad Cracker Appetizer
• Salami and Dill Havarti Crostini