Cheeseball Wreath

Looking for a fun, simple, easy Christmas appetizer? This wreath is it! Make whatever cheeseball recipe you like (I've posted a few, click here for a couple ideas, I'll share the easiest one below!), make it into a wreath shape, cover with herbs. See - easy!

I have a cake pan that is meant for making a donut shaped cake, but it also worked great for a wreath! If I didn't have this pan I would put a small round can or glass (covered with plastic wrap) in the center of an 8" round cake pan - or you could use a bundt pan if it's one of the smooth ones. Line whatever pan you use with a piece of plastic wrap (tip: leave enough of the wrap overhanging the sides of the pan to be able to bring it over top of the cheese) and then spoon the cheeseball mixture in spreading it evenly and smoothing the top. Fold the overhanging plastic wrap up to cover the cheese and put it in the fridge for at least an hour.

Unmold the wreath by removing the top layer of plastic wrap, put a serving plate upside down on top of the pan, and carefully flip the whole thing over. The cheese wreath should be out of the mold and on the plate at this point, if it isn't just gently tug the plastic wrap to transfer it. Remove the rest of the plastic wrap - the cheeseball looks cracky and wrinkly but you'll be covering it with herbs so it doesn't matter (unless there's big cracks in which case just smooth it together with a knife...or your very clean fingers).

Cover the wreath with finely chopped parsley and chives. To finish I sprinkled diced pimento (dry very well with paper towels first) over the top.

Cheeseball recipe:

2 (8 oz) packages cream cheese, at room temperature

2 cups shredded cheese (cheddar, colby, monterey jack...)

2 teaspoons worcestershire

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon onion powder

coarse salt and pepper to taste

Mix all together until fully incorporated and smooth (I use my food processor). Wrap up in plastic wrap forming a ball (or shape into the above wreath!) and refrigerate for at least an hour.