Shelly's Recipe

MAKE-AHEAD SNOWMAN CHEESE BALL

Category: Cheeseballs

3 (8 oz) pkg cream cheese, softened
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (16 ounces)
2 tbsp basil pesto
1 tbsp grated onion
1/4 tsp yellow mustard
2 drops red pepper sauce
1 (4 oz) container whipped cream cheese, softened
Decorations (see below), if desired
Assorted crackers, if desired

Mix 3 packages cream cheese and the Cheddar cheese; divide into 3 equal parts. Combine 2 parts to equal two-thirds of mixture; mix in pesto. Mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into remaining one-third mixture.

Cover each cheese mixture and refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape. Shape each cheese mixture into ball. Wrap each ball, label and freeze. About 12 hours before serving, remove balls from freezer. Thaw in wrappers in refrigerator. Arrange balls on serving plate with smaller ball on top for head of snowman. Frost snowman with whipped cream cheese before serving. Decorate as desired. Serve with crackers. Store covered in refrigerator.

Do-Ahead Tip: You can make this cute little guy up to 1 month ahead!

How-To: Guests may be a little reluctant to start sampling your delicious creation, so make extra to fill serving bowls to help get them started.

Use your imagination to decorate this whimsical snowman! You can use fresh rosemary and dried cranberries (crown), chopped olive pieces or raisins (eyes and buttons), pimiento or red bell pepper (mouth), radicchio or carrot ribbon (scarf), and asparagus spears or celery sticks (arms).