Mistletoe Kissing Ball (Print)

A festive blend of creamy cheese, fresh herbs, grapes, and prosciutto create a stunning holiday centerpiece.

# Ingredients:

→ Cheese Balls

01 - 7 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, softened
03 - 1 tablespoon fresh chives, finely minced
04 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, finely minced
05 - ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
06 - ⅛ teaspoon fine sea salt

→ Assembly

07 - 1 large round food-safe styrofoam or floral foam ball, 6–7 inches diameter (plastic-wrapped if not food-safe)
08 - 10.5 oz seedless green grapes, firm, washed and thoroughly dried
09 - 5.3 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
10 - Small bunch fresh rosemary sprigs, 2–3 inches long, for weaving and garnish
11 - Small bunch fresh thyme sprigs, 2–3 inches long, for weaving and garnish
12 - 80–100 sturdy toothpicks or cocktail skewers
13 - Decorative ribbon (optional, for presentation)

# Directions:

01 - In a medium bowl, blend softened cream cheese and goat cheese with a hand mixer or spatula until smooth. Stir in minced chives, parsley, black pepper, and sea salt until evenly incorporated. Chill for 15–20 minutes if mixture feels too soft to shape.
02 - Using a melon baller or teaspoon, scoop 1-inch portions and roll gently between palms to create smooth spheres. Place on parchment-lined tray and refrigerate for at least 20 minutes to firm.
03 - Ensure grapes are completely dry. Cut prosciutto into ¾-inch wide by 3–4 inch long strips. Trim rosemary and thyme into 2–3 inch sprigs. Wrap foam ball in plastic if not food-safe and secure on a stable bowl or mug to prevent rolling.
04 - Alternate threading grapes, cheese balls, and rolled prosciutto strips onto toothpicks. Insert skewers into foam ball in a spiral from top down, avoiding overcrowding for secure placement with minimal foam visible.
05 - Tuck rosemary and thyme sprigs between skewers, weaving them into an interlaced, organic pattern to fill gaps and add aromatic freshness.
06 - Fill any remaining gaps with extra ingredients. Optionally, tie a festive ribbon at the top for hanging or display on a platter. Refrigerate assembled ball up to 2 hours before serving for best freshness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that guests will photograph and talk about long after the party ends—the kind of appetizer that makes you look like a culinary genius without the stress
  • No baking required, just 40 minutes of meditative assembly that actually feels fun when you understand the rhythm
  • Naturally vegetarian-friendly and endlessly adaptable to whatever cheeses and herbs you have on hand
  • It stays fresh for hours, so you can build it early and focus on everything else
02 -
  • Assemble the same day you serve it, never earlier. I learned this when I made one the day before a party and by evening, the cheese had dried out and the herbs looked tired. Cheese balls are delicate, and they don't improve with time.
  • Grapes must be completely dry—I cannot stress this enough. One wet grape will slip, and suddenly your beautiful sphere feels unstable. Pat them twice if you need to.
  • Don't use flimsy toothpicks. The whole structure depends on sturdy ones that won't bend under the weight of grapes and cheese.
03 -
  • Work with chilled cheese balls—this prevents them from sliding or squishing on the toothpick. If they start to soften as you work, pop them back in the refrigerator for a few minutes.
  • Hold the foam ball steady with one hand while inserting toothpicks with the other. This prevents the entire sphere from rotating and throwing off your placement.
  • When threading toothpicks, push the cheese ball on first, then the grape, then the prosciutto—this creates a natural stop that prevents items from sliding off during handling.
  • If you're concerned about food safety, assemble close to serving time and don't leave it at room temperature for more than two hours. When in doubt, refrigerate—it only improves the texture.
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