Christmas Candle Cheese Spread Food

CHRISTMAS CANDLE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, sour cream, onions, Worcestershire and hot pepper sauce until blended. Form 1/2 cup cheese mixture into a 4-in. circle. Coat with parsley., Form the remaining cheese mixture into a cylinder; roll in sesame seeds. Place on top of circle. Cut a piece of red pepper to resemble a flame; insert into the top of the candle. Cut one ring from the green pepper; cut in half. Position one half on the side for handle. (Save remaining peppers for another use.) Refrigerate until serving.

CHEESE AND CRACKERS CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Put the cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, shredded Cheddar and 1 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and mix until thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula as needed.
• Mound about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture on a serving plate and insert the pretzel rod vertically (the pretzel will help to hold up the structure). Add more of the cheese mixture, forming it around the pretzel rod and into a cone shape about 6 inches wide and 10 inches tall.
• Press the chopped parsley into the surface of the cheese tree to make it green, making sure to cover all the white areas. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, about 30 minutes.
• Insert the pretzel sticks, mini butter crackers and almonds all over the tree, angled downward to create "branches". Take care to alternate the ingredients to add variety and depth. As you decorate the top, break the pretzel sticks in half so they are proportional to the size of the tree. Top the tree with one sliced almond for the "star". Tuck the pomegranate seeds in between the branches for festive "lights". Dust the edges with more finely chopped fresh parsley and grated Parmesan "snow". Serve with crackers on the side.

CHRISTMAS PACKAGE CHEESE SNACK

Steps:

• Mix the dried dill, garlic powder, and salt into the softened cream cheese.
• Pack the mixture into a rectangular container lined with plastic wrap (you can reuse the cream cheese box).
• Refrigerate it for at least 3 hours.
• Before serving time, set the unwrapped block of cheese on a platter and decorate it with a scallion bow and red pepper polka dots (or small squares) and give tag made from cut red pepper.
• Note: Final product is to look like a rectangular package, complete with green "ribbon" and red polka dotted paper, with red gift tag.
• Serve with choice of crackers or veggies.

CHRISTMAS CRANBERRY CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• In a small mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese, sour cream, honey and cinnamon until smooth.
• Spread on a serving dish or plate.
• In a bowl, stir cranberry sauce until it reaches spreading consistancy; spread over cream cheese mixture.
• Sprinkle with almonds.
• Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.
• Serve with crackers.

CREAM CHEESE, HAVARTI, AND PARMESAN HERBED CHRISTMAS TREE

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese, Havarti cheese, Parmesan cheese, 2 tablespoons basil, lemon zest, and garlic together in a bowl. Transfer cream cheese mixture to a piece of plastic wrap. Roll the plastic wrap around cream cheese mixture forming a cone shape, resembling a tree.
• Stand the 'tree' upright and remove the plastic wrap. Cover the visible portion of the 'tree' with 1/4 cup basil and parsley.
• Gently wrap the 'tree' with a fresh sheet of plastic wrap and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.