Mistletoe Cheese Grapes Ball (Printable version)

Creamy cheese balls, green grapes, prosciutto, and herbs form a festive and elegant holiday centerpiece.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheese Balls

01 - 10.5 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese
03 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
04 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1/4 tsp sea salt

→ Assembly

07 - 9 oz seedless green grapes
08 - 3.5 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
09 - 1 small bunch fresh thyme sprigs
10 - 1 small bunch fresh rosemary sprigs
11 - 1 small bunch fresh mint leaves
12 - 1 round wooden or food-safe foam board, approximately 8–10 inches diameter
13 - 35–40 small decorative toothpicks or cocktail picks

# How-To Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, goat cheese, chives, parsley, black pepper, and salt. Stir until smooth and uniform.
02 - Using clean hands, shape the cheese mixture into roughly 18–20 balls, about 1 inch in diameter each. Place on a tray and refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm.
03 - Wash and thoroughly dry the green grapes to remove any residue.
04 - Begin alternating cheese balls and grapes on the round board, securing each with toothpicks angled slightly inward to create a spherical shape.
05 - Fold prosciutto slices into small rosettes or bundles and insert them between grapes and cheese balls using picks.
06 - Distribute thyme, rosemary, and mint sprigs evenly throughout the arrangement for aroma and visual appeal.
07 - Continue until the entire board is densely covered and resembles a lush, edible mistletoe ball.
08 - Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Present on a platter for guests to pick bites.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires zero baking and only 25 minutes of hands-on time—you'll look like you spent hours in the kitchen when really you were sipping coffee while rolling cheese.
  • Every bite is different: creamy cheese, burst of grape juice, savory prosciutto, and fresh herb aromatics all at once—it's a flavor and texture adventure on a single toothpick.
  • Guests love the interactive nature of pulling bites directly from the ball; it transforms eating into an event and breaks the ice at any gathering.
02 -
  • Softening the cheese matters more than you'd think. If your cream cheese is cold, you'll beat it forever and end up with an airy, separated mess. Leave it on the counter for exactly 15 minutes—no more, no less.
  • Damp grapes will cause toothpicks to slip. This seems small until you're halfway through building and everything's sliding off the board. Dry them completely with a paper towel and you've solved 90% of construction headaches.
  • The toothpicks should angle toward the center of your sphere, not outward. This creates that rounded, ball-like silhouette instead of looking flat or lopsided.
03 -
  • Make your cheese balls the day before and refrigerate them overnight. They'll be firmer, easier to handle, and one less thing to worry about on the day you're entertaining.
  • If you're nervous about the stability, use a foam board instead of wood. It's easier to secure toothpicks, and nobody will know the difference once it's covered. Your confidence will shine through, and that matters more than the material.
  • The key to visual appeal is varying the height and angle of your toothpicks. Stand back frequently and adjust as you go. You're sculpting, not just arranging.
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