This shop {Garlic Parmesan Holiday Cheeseball} has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #HolidayRITZ #CollectiveBias

December is a magical time of year. It could be because of several holidays in a short amount of time, but I’d also like to think that the chilly weather is what keeps people indoors and closer to home this time of year. So many people I know are more likely to attend a warm and cozy holiday party during this season than the other seasons.
I’m also fairly certain that everyone saves their best holiday recipes for December. Whether it’s cookies or a holiday appetizer, I always see the best foods grace the table during the holidays. If you’re searching for the perfectly festive and savory appetizer to bring to your upcoming holiday parties, I have just the thing for you! A box of RITZ Crackers and a few other items are all you need to become a fabulous party host.

If you’ve never had the pleasure of creating a festive cheeseball for a party, let me give you a couple of reasons why you should drop what you’re doing and head to your local Walmart to stock up on cheeseball ingredients.
- This savory cheeseball contains minimal ingredients and is SO impressive on a holiday platter. Two types of cream cheese, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic and shredded parmesan cheese make up the base of your snowman. Add tiny bits of chopped black olive for the face and buttons and a tiny baby carrot stick for a fully festive holiday snowman cheeseball.
- Unlike other fussy appetizers, this one comes together quickly with the help of a stand mixer or hand mixer. Two sheets of plastic wrap receive the garlic and cheese mixture where you can shape the snowman into two snowballs.
No snowman would be complete without his top hat, just as no cheeseball would be complete without a proper dipping vehicle. Thankfully, these fabulous RITZ Crackers are working double time! The buttery, classically crunchy and slightly salty crackers are stacked in the shape of a top hat, adding that perfect little holiday touch to your appetizer platter.

I picked up all of the ingredients at our Walmart while doing some other holiday shopping. A quick pass to the dairy section and another by the cracker aisle and we were all set to make this adorable little holiday snowman cheeseball.
Had I known cheeseballs were so easy to create, I would have made them so many years ago instead of waiting until recently. A quick mixing in your stand mixer brings the cheeseball together. A spiffy 15 minute chilling period in the refrigerator firms up the cheese mixture enough to roll it in EVEN MORE CHEESE! A few carefully placed vegetables instantly bring your snowman cheeseball to life. And last but certainly not least, a festive stacking of RITZ Crackers in a top hat shape brings another element of joy to your holiday appetizer table.


This holiday snowman cheeseball will certainly be gracing my table for the upcoming holiday parties. If you’re in charge of bringing an appetizer or are looking for another no-bake dish to complement your holiday spread, I have a feeling that this snowman cheeseball is going to look great alongside your other holiday dishes.
But really, how could you say no to this face?

Have you made a cheeseball before? Do you prefer a savory or sweet one? Let me know in the comments!

Garlic Parmesan Holiday Cheeseball
This savory Garlic Parmesan Holiday Snowman Cheeseball contains minimal ingredients and is SO impressive on a holiday platter! Dress up your appetizer spread with something new and festive this holiday season!
Ingredients
- 3 8 ounce packages of cream cheese
- 1 12 ounce package whipped cream cheese
- 10 ounces finely shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2-2 ½ tsps minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, optional
- 3 ½ ounces finely shredded Parmesan cheese
- 2 sheets plastic wrap
- 1 teaspoon sliced black olives
- 1 baby carrot stick
- ~ 2 sleeves RITZ Crackers
Instructions
- In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, add slightly softened cream cheeses, mozzarella cheese, minced garlic and Italian seasoning. Mix until combined, about 1 minute on a medium speed.
- Lay out two long sheets of plastic wrap. These will receive your cheese mixture and allow you to shape the cheese into a suitable ball shape for the snowman’s body.
- Spoon two uneven amounts of cheese mixture into the plastic wrap. Wrap tightly, making sure that no spots are left uncovered. Use your hands to shape into a ball, like you would a snowball. Place snowman cheese base in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to firm up.
- Place finely shredded Parmesan cheese in a shallow dish. Remove cheeseballs from the refrigerator and unwrap from the plastic wrap. Roll each ball in the Parmesan cheese to get that “snowy” look. Stack cheeseballs on top of one another, making sure the larger one is the base.
- Slice bits of black olive for the snowman’s face and buttons. Stick the pieces into the inner layer of cheese so that it adheres. Insert one thinly sliced baby carrot as the snowman’s nose.
- Stack RITZ Crackers in a festive holiday shape. Here I stacked them in the suggestive shape of a top hat. I used two layers of 6 crackers in a circle as the lip of the hat and stacked several layers until it seemed high enough. Finish off the top hat with one cracker to close the opening of the top hat.
- Use the RITZ Crackers to scoop directly from the snowman or serve with a knife for easy spreading.
- Happy holiday entertaining!
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 36 Serving Size: 1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 116Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Feeling festive?! Check out my other holiday posts:
How to Ship and Gift Cookies Like a Pro
Holiday Baking Essentials
Homemade Peppermint Mocha Cupcakes
White Chocolate Snickerdoodle Cookies
Soft Baked M&M Cookies
Healthier Chocolate Chip Cookies
Festive Chocolate Chip Cheesecake with a Brownie Crust
Marlow
I made this for my company Christmas party and everyone loved it!!!!
Amber
Is the minced garlic fresh garlic? Does the Italian seasoning make it taste really herby or is it more of a light flavor?
Jessica
Hi Amber! The minced garlic I used is actually in a jar (the kind with liquid inside). My mom always used this kind of garlic so I'm accustomed to using it and forgot not everyone does! The seasoning isn't overly herby but if you're sensitive to those flavors you could always scale that amount back a little bit. Hope this helps!
Ashley@CookNourishBliss
Oh my gosh how cute is this cheeseball?? So festive!
Jessica
Thanks, Ashley! I could not stop looking at it and saying "oh my goodness, how cute are you?!" and then I had a hard time eating it because it was so adorable!
Kathy @ Beyond the Chicken Coop
I love the snowman cheese ball! What a wonderful presentation for any holiday party!
Jessica
Thanks so much Kathy! It was so fun and really easy to make too!
Stacey | The Sugar Coated Cottage
I have not made a cheese ball before but everyone just loves them including myself. I like that they are softer and spread on crackers nicely. I'm loving the flavor combos in this one and the way its presented as a snowman is perfect. BTW - not sure how I missed the cheesecake post but wow, I wish I had a slice right now! Take care.
Marvellina @ What To Cook Today
I seriously didn't know too that you can easily make your own cheese ball! This is so adorable! My kids will be all over this edible snowman! Great job!!!
Jessica
Thanks, Marvellina!! I was so excited when everything came together faster than I expected it to. I hope they love it!
Andrew
I had no idea cheese balls were this easy to make either. Your snowman is great, and paired with RITZ Crackers - it's a perfect holiday party snack! [client]
Jessica
Thanks so much, Andrew! I can't wait to try a sweet variety soon too with all my RITZ Crackers 🙂