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Cheeseball Christmas Tree

By December 9, 2021April 9th, 2023Appetizer and Sides, Holiday Recipes

Cheeseball Christmas Tree

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I just didn’t agree with some of the products that were advertised. They were keto products, but they were unhealthy and I would never personally eat most of the products. It was hard to say no to blog advertisements; they pay thousands of dollars a month, but I just felt uncomfortable about having the products I didn’t recommend on my website.

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I rarely waste time in the grocery store because I find everything online for a way better price!

All you have to do is click on the words in my recipes and it will take you right to the correct item. If you add them to your cart I get a tiny commission that helps me afford to keep practicing recipes (Recipe experimenting can costing me a fortune!…but I love helping!).

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Happy Shopping and THANK YOU for all your support!!!

 

Funny story!  To cut the bell pepper stars for my Cheeseball Christmas Tree cheese ball, I used the star-shaped pieces from the popular family game Perfection.

Sometimes parents need to get creative!

Cheeseball Christmas Tree

Maria Emmerich
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer, Egg Free, Nut Free, Snack, Vegetarian
Cuisine American
Servings 8
Calories 155

Ingredients
  

CHEESE BALL:

  • 1 8 ounce package cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup thick salsa
  • 1 cup shredded pepper jack or sharp cheddar cheese

COATING

  • 1 red bell pepper
  • 1 thin slice cheddar cheese
  • 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

  • Sliced red and green bell peppers
  • Celery sticks
  • Cucumber slices
  • Parmesan crostini

Instructions
 

  • Make the cheese ball: Place the cream cheese, salsa, and shredded cheese in a large mixing bowl and stir until smooth and well combined. Form into a ball, wrap in parchment paper, and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour to set.
  • Meanwhile, use a tiny star-shaped cookie cutter and cut about stars out of the red bell pepper. First, cut the pepper into ½-inch slices. Then lay the slices flat and cut out the stars.
  • Cut a star out of the slice of cheese for the top of the tree. Alternatively, you can use a sharp knife to cut the pepper and cheese into diamond shapes.
  • Place the chilled cheese ball on a serving tray and form it into a tree shape. Press the chopped cilantro all over the tree, then decorate with the bell pepper stars and top with the cheddar cheese star.
  • Serve with red and green bell pepper slices or other dippers of choice. Store extras in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 155 | Fat: 13g | Protein: 5g | Carbohydrates: 2g | Fiber: 0g | P:E Ratio: 0.3

TESTIMONY OF THE DAY

“I found Maria & Craig and started their way of life just two months ago.  I was six weeks postpartum so it was perfect timing.  Since then I’ve lost 30lbs but have much, much more to go!
However this morning I realized something even greater than the weight loss.  I have 4 kids 4 and under, they are 4, 3, 2 and 3 months old.  Needless to say it is loud, chaotic and busy around here.  I get easily overwhelmed and anxious and when I’m overwhelmed I tend to snap and yell at my kids.  This morning I realized it’s been a week or more since I blew up at my them and then felt guilty for treating them that way when really it was my own anxiety making me react the way I did.
This is HUGE!  I credit it to the way I’m eating and it balancing my hormones and blood sugar levels.
I’m so grateful and I cannot wait to see what else comes from this!  Thank you Keto Adapted – Maria Emmerich & Craig!  My kids thank you too!
*pic of my babies just cuz they’re cute! “ Valine

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Maria Emmerich

Maria is a wellness expert who has helped clients follow a Ketogenic lifestyle to heal and lose weight for over 20 years. She has helped thousands of clients get healthy, get off medications and heal their bodies; losing weight is just a bonus. She is the international best selling author of several books including "Keto: The Complete Guide to Success on the Ketogenic Diet.".

8 Comments

  • Beth says:

    They are super cute…. Happy holidays and best wishes.

  • Wenchypoo says:

    I just didn’t agree with some of the products that were advertised. They were keto products, but they were unhealthy and I would never personally eat most of the products.

    …and this is why I keep coming back here. If YOU won’t put it in YOUR mouth, I’m not putting it in mine! It’s not coming in my house. It’s not going to register on my grocery store radar. Many times I’ve said that the safest place on Earth to eat is at your house, and since I can’t actually BE in your house (too far away), I come here instead to learn how to re-create your food. It’s the next best thing.

    As far as using Perfection pieces go, my older sister once made a “wedding” cake with plastic Fisher-Price bride-and-groom people on it (for a couple of smitten little kids)–and yes, the pieces were thoroughly washed first, and a plastic barrier went between them and the cake itself. This cake had the Fisher-Price bride and groom, the FP pastor, and Weebles guests that sat on Lego pews. Sadly, the only picture of it is in my head–little ol’ me (at the time) was in charge of building the pews and rounding up the Weebles for guests–it was bath time, then off to cake-church for them. When it comes to decorating food, you use what you have or can get ahold of.

  • Catherine says:

    Thank you so much, super excited to make this, and I have all the ingredients already in the house! Thank you for sharing, thank you for you. Happy Holidays

  • Linda from PA. says:

    Maria! I appreciate SO MUCH that I do not have to fight with ads and pop up videos to enjoy/learn from your blog. I appreciate that I can TRUST the products on your sideline to be “clean and healthy”. It is SO nerve wracking to go on Keto sights and have to deal with all of the nonsense. I get it that these bloggers need an income. But do you truly believe in your cause or not? It is obvious that you have a true passion for the health of mankind. I 💕 love you for that!

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