Description
Festive holiday spirit meets cheesy delight in this Christmas Taco Cheese Ball Wreath, blending zesty Mexican flavors with seasonal cheer. Crowd-pleasing appetizers invite guests to savor creamy, spiced goodness that brings warmth and joy to winter gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Cheese Ingredients:
- 2 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Seasoning and Herbs:
- 1 packet taco seasoning mix
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Garnish and Topping Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup diced tomatoes, drained
- 1/4 cup sliced black olives (optional)
- Tortilla chips, crushed (for coating)
Instructions
- Blend softened cream cheese with sharp cheddar, zesty taco seasoning, fresh cilantro, and juicy diced tomatoes in a spacious mixing bowl until ingredients are thoroughly incorporated.
- Gently form the mixture into a cohesive sphere using plastic wrap, ensuring smooth surfaces. If the mixture feels overly tacky, briefly chill in the refrigerator to firm up.
- Generously coat the entire cheese sphere with crunchy, crushed tortilla chips, pressing gently to help chips adhere completely.
- Transfer the chip-crusted cheese ball to a festive serving platter, strategically positioning sliced black olives around its perimeter to create an elegant holiday wreath design.
- Allow the cheese ball to rest in the refrigerator for a minimum of 30 minutes, which helps flavors meld and provides optimal texture for serving.
- Present the wreath-shaped cheese ball alongside an assortment of accompaniments such as crisp tortilla chips, assorted crackers, or fresh vegetable sticks for guests to enjoy.
Notes
- Chill the mixture briefly to make shaping easier and prevent sticking to your hands.
- Use room temperature cream cheese for smoother blending and better texture.
- Customize the taco seasoning intensity by adjusting the amount to match your preferred spice level.
- Swap tortilla chips with crushed corn chips or panko breadcrumbs for different coating textures.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 600 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 12 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 14 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 60 mg