This past weekend I was invited to a White Elephant Christmas party. They’re so much fun. If you’re not familiar with them you bring a gag gift and they’re placed in the center of everyone. One at a time you take turns getting a present. You can either draw an unopened present from the center or you can steal a present from someone that has already opened a gift. A present can only be stolen a maximum of 3 times, so the third time it’s locked in and that person is taking it home. I brought home an elf wig with ears and a Santa hat. I had the option to steal someone else’s but I knew my little guys would love it and it turns out that I was able to get one of my all time favorite Christmas pictures because I kept it. Look at how cute that little elf is!!!! Of course it’s all just an excuse to hang out with friends, make new friends and EAT! 🙂 I was able to meet a lot of really great new friends and eat a ton of great food. Everyone brought an appetizer or dessert and we all had fun. Of course I brought this cheese ball because make ahead makes me happy during the Christmas season.
Cheese balls are a great appetizer. You can do so much to make them different and they come together so fast. Let me tell you that this version tastes amazing! The ball I brought to the party was huge and it was just about gone when I left! Everyone liked it and so did my husband. There’s more flavor than you’d think looking at the ingredients. I’m making this again for New Year’s. I love the colors of this cheese ball too. It has green and red in the ball itself and then the outside is covered in bright, fresh parsley! Serve it with a tasty cracker or just eat it by the spoonful, just kidding, and you’ll be happy!
Ingredients
- 2- 8 oz. cream cheese blocks softened
- 4 oz. Garlic & Herb Feta cheese
- 3 c cheddar cheese shredded (shred this at home it will stick better in the ball)
- 1/4 c green onion chopped
- 1/4 c. red bell pepper chopped finely
- 1/2 c. fresh parsley chopped and dried
Instructions
- beat the cream cheese until fluffy
- add in feta and cheddar cheese and continue to mixj
- add in green onion and bell pepper
- line a large cereal bowl with plastic wrap so that there is extra hanging over
- put the cheese mixture into the plastic lined bowl and cover
- place into the fridge and chill for 2 hours or until cold and firm
- spread out the parsley onto a cutting board
- pull the cheese out of the bowl using the plastic wrap and form into a ball
- roll around on the parsley until completely covered
- place on a cheese board with crackers and serve
