Appetizer Cheese Trees Or Snowmen Recipe

Ingredients for Appetizer Cheese Trees Or Snowmen

• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese
• Pesto Sauce
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
• Ground Mustard
• Red Pepper Sauce
• Cracker
• 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley
• Pine nuts for garland
• Red Bell Peppers

How to Make Appetizer Cheese Trees Or Snowmen

1. In a medium bowl, combine 8 ounces cream cheese, softened, and 4 ounces shredded cheddar cheese. Mix until well combined.
2. Divide the cheese mixture in half.
3. In one half, stir in 2 tablespoons pesto.
4. In the other half, mix in 2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, and 1 tablespoon of your favorite pepper sauce.
5. Cover both bowls and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or until firm enough to shape.
6. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
7. **Cheese Trees:** Shape each pesto cheese mixture into a cone shape on the prepared baking sheet, resembling a Christmas tree.
8. Roll the trees in 1/4 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, pressing gently to adhere.
9. Press small pieces of red bell pepper onto the trees to represent ornaments.
10. Arrange pine nuts in rows to create a garland effect.
11. Top each tree with a star-shaped piece of lemon peel (optional).
12. **Cheese Snowmen:** Divide the remaining cheese mixture (onion, mustard, and pepper sauce) into three equal parts.
13. Mix two parts together.
14. Add 1 tablespoon pesto to the two-thirds mixture.
15. Shape the two-thirds mixture into a larger ball, and the remaining one-third into a smaller ball.
16. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to firm up.
17. Roll the larger ball in 1/3 cup finely chopped blanched almonds.
18. Place the larger ball on a serving plate and top with the smaller ball (head).
19. Press the balls together gently.
20. Insert two pretzel sticks as arms.
21. Decorate the snowman with capers, sliced olives, chopped carrots, sliced cucumber, chopped bell pepper, and fresh thyme leaves.
22. Serve cheese trees and snowmen with crackers or vegetables.