GARLIC PARMESAN HOLIDAY CHEESEBALL

Ingredients

• 3 8 ounce packages of cream cheese
• 1 12 ounce package whipped cream cheese
• 10 ounces finely shredded mozzarella cheese
• 2-2 1/2 tsps minced garlic
• 1 tsp Italian seasoning optional
• 3 1/2 ounces finely shredded Parmesan cheese
• 2 sheets plastic wrap
• 1 tsp sliced black olives
• 1 baby carrot stick
• ~ 2 sleeves RITZ Crackers

Instructions

1. In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add slightly softened cream cheeses, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Mix until combined, about 1 minute on a medium speed.
2. Lay out two long sheets of plastic wrap. These will receive your cheese mixture and allow you to shape the cheese into a suitable ball shape for the snowman’s body.
3. Spoon two uneven amounts of cheese mixture into the plastic wrap. Wrap tightly, making sure that no spots are left uncovered. Use your hands to shape into a ball, like you would a snowball. Place snowman cheese base in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.
4. Place finely shredded Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish. Remove cheeseballs from the refrigerator and unwrap from the plastic wrap. Roll each ball in the Parmesan cheese to get that “snowy” look. Stack cheeseballs on top of one another, making sure the larger one is the base.
5. Slice bits of black olive for the snowman’s face and buttons. Stick the pieces into the inner layer of cheese so that it adheres. Insert one thinly sliced baby carrot as the snowman’s nose.
6. Stack RITZ Crackers in a festive holiday shape. Here I stacked them in the suggestive shape of a top hat. I used two layers of 6 crackers in a circle as the lip of the hat and stacked several layers until it seemed high enough. Finish off the top hat with one cracker to close the opening of the top hat.
7. Use the RITZ Crackers to scoop directly from the snowman or serve with a knife for easy spreading.
8. Happy holiday entertaining!

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