Royal Orb Cheese Ball (Printable Version)

Elegant cheese ball with creamy layers, coated in pistachios and pomegranate jewels for festive occasions.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese Mixture

01 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
03 - 3.5 oz feta cheese, crumbled
04 - 2 tbsp sour cream
05 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - 1 garlic clove, minced
07 - ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper
08 - ¼ tsp salt (optional, adjust to taste)

→ Coating

09 - ½ cup pistachios, shelled and roughly chopped
10 - 1 large pomegranate, seeds only (about 1 cup arils)
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, cheddar, feta, sour cream, chives, garlic, black pepper, and salt until smooth and homogeneous.
02 - Form the cheese mixture into a large ball using clean hands or a spatula; if too soft, refrigerate for 10 to 15 minutes before shaping.
03 - Wrap the shaped ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm and develop flavors.
04 - Remove cheese orb from wrapping and place on a serving plate.
05 - Press chopped pistachios and pomegranate seeds evenly over the surface, alternating coverage to create a jeweled effect; garnish with parsley if desired.
06 - Present immediately alongside crackers, crudités, or flatbread of choice.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually took about 20 minutes of hands-on work.
  • The contrast of creamy, tangy cheese against the bright pop of pomegranate and the earthiness of pistachios creates this perfect balance that keeps people reaching for more.
  • You can make it hours ahead, so there's zero stress when guests arrive.
02 -
  • If your cream cheese isn't truly softened, your mixture will have tiny lumps that won't blend no matter how much you stir—leave it on the counter for 20 minutes before you start.
  • Pomegranate seeds release juice quickly, so add them as close to serving time as possible or they'll bleed color onto the plate.
03 -
  • Toast your pistachios in a dry pan for just a few minutes before chopping—the flavor difference is noticeable and worth the extra step.
  • Let the cheese ball come to room temperature for about 10 minutes before serving so the flavors open up and it's easier to scoop.
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