Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball

Skip dry, boring store-bought cheese balls and indulge in this easy Pomegranate Christmas cheese ball that’s full of amazing flavor. It’s creamy, sweet and savory, coated in sweet and sour pomegranate seeds!

Add a little garnish to turn it into a memorable crowd-pleasing appetizer!

Pomegranates add a brilliant splash of seasonal color and delicious flavor. They’re the perfect way to add a hint of holiday color.

I love traditional appetizers and hors d’oeuvres for the holidays. In fact, I’ve got an incredible collection of Christmas cheese balls – you’ve got to see them all!

Pomegranate Christmas Cheese Ball

It’s so easy to make and so beautiful to serve!

• Festive
• Few Ingredients in a Few Minutes
• Make ahead!

Ingredients and Substitutions

• Butter – Salted butter adds balance and a hint of flavor. You can substitute unsalted butter if you prefer. Soften butter to room temperature so that it’s easy to work with.
• Cream Cheese- Cream cheese provides the creamy, delicious base for this cheeseball. I’ve got great tips about how to soften cream cheese!

• White Cheddar Cheese – Fresh shredded white cheddar maintains its creamy consistency and packs it with bold flavor. Did you know? Cheddar gets its color from annatto coloring that creates the deeper golden/orange color. White cheddar is a pretty contrast to the vibrant red pomegranate anis on the outside. Learn how to grate cheese here.
• Minced Garlic – Garlic adds a flavorful touch to this cheeseball that makes it so delicious with crackers of all kinds.
• Green Onion – Fresh green onion packs flavor and color.
• Pepper – Thick flakes of black pepper spices it up..
• Pomegranate Arils – Arils aren’t just for show! They add a huge pop of sweet and juicy flavor that perfectly matches the cheese in this recipe. Slice a pomegranate to remove arils or purchase pre-packaged fresh pomegranate arils in most produce section of your grocery store. The seed is the center of the aril, with a juicy membrane exterior. Arils are the pulps of the pomegranate, sweet and juicy.

Optional Ornament Garnish

• Rolo
• Rosemary
• Small Velvet Bow

Variations

• Replace pomegranates with cranberries like in this Santa Hat Cranberry Cheese Ball.
• Add chopped pecans or almonds for a little crunch.

How to Make

For the full printable recipe, see the recipe card below.

1. Prep – Shred your cheddar for the creamiest results. Please pomegranate arils on a paper towel or pat dry to soak up moisture. This will allow them to easily adhere to your cheese ball.
2. Combine – In a food processor or mixer, combine butter, cream cheese, and white cheddar, garlic, green onion and ground pepper.
3. Make a Ball – Form your cheese mixture into a ball shape.
4. Coat – Roll into your pomegranate arils, covering as much as possible of the surface. Add more arils if necessary to coat and cover any open spots.
5. Chill – Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Add Rolo candy (wrapped for the pretty gold foil touch) to the top to create the stem of the ornament.

Leftover Ideas

Don’t let this amazing Pomegranate Cheese Ball go to waste! These delicious ideas will have you craving more.

• Use the leftover cheese ball melted into your favorite pasta dishes.
• Spread on sandwiches or wraps.
• Crumble onto lettuce and toss with dressing for a delicious salad.

How to Store

• At Room Temperature – Leave at room temperature for up to two hours to serve.
• Refrigerate – Make up to one day in advance and tightly wrap to store. Store up to 3 days refrigerated for best results.