Bacon Cheese Ball Christmas Wreath

featured image for Bacon Scallion Cheese Wreath

5 from 2 votes

For a ravenous situation like a holiday party, an edible wreath made of bacon, parmesan, and green onions will garner cheers and OMGs!

Prep Time10

Cook Time15

Chilling1

Total Time1 25

Course: Appetizer

Cuisine: American, Southern

Servings: servings

Author: Jenny DeRemer

Cost: $0.38 per serving

Ingredients

for the cheese ball wreath

8 oz cream cheese
½ cup mayonnaise
⅓ cup Parmesan grated from a large block, NOT from a can
¼ cup green onions chopped
10 bacon strips cooked and crumbled; may substitute packaged, fully cooked bacon
parsley fresh
diced pimientos
Assorted crackers and pita chips

optional add-ins

shredded mozzarella cheese
crumbled blue cheese
shredded Swiss cheese

for serving

crackers
pita chips
skewered green or black olives
broccoli florets and assorted green veggies
red, orange, and yellow bell pepper strips and other colorful veggies

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with heavy gauge aluminum foil and arrange 10 bacon slices. Bake the bacon in the preheated oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until they are a deep golden brown. PRO TIP: I sometimes purchase shelf-stable, fully cooked bacon and find it to be a huge timesaver. Just remove the number of strips bacon you need and chop coarsely with a sharp kitchen knife. Also, no cleanup.
In a small bowl, beat the cream cheese and mayonnaise until smooth. Gently incorporate the parmesan that you have grated from a large block as well as the onions. Stir in the chopped bacon. Cover the surface of the parmesan spread directly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour. Remove from refrigeration and stir well.
Invert a small bowl in the center of a flat, decorative serving platter. If you plan to transport this appetizer elsewhere, I recommend lining a rimmed baking sheet with parchment ("glue it" by spreading a dab of cream cheese in each corner beneath the parchment) and inverting your round circle onto it. Using a broad spatula or a spoon, drop cream cheese mixture around the perimeter of the bowl, careful not to plaster the bowl in place. Carefully remove bowl.
Smooth the creamy mixture using a butter knife in the rough shape of a circle or 'wreath.' Using the same butter knife, add texture to the surface by flicking your wrist in an outward motion all over the top. Garnish with green parsley leaves placed in a tight, circular shape. Use the point of a steak knife to carefully position bits of diced pimientos in the centers of the parsley to mimic holly berries.
Serve with crackers, pita chips, or green and colorful vegetable Crudités. If you will be transporting elsewhere, arrange the chips and Crudités directly on the lined baking sheet alongside the cheese ball wreath.

Notes

Serve this Appetizer at room temperature for up to 2 hours. Refrigeration is required past 2 hours.

Make Ahead up to 1 day. Wrap tightly with plastic film until ready to assemble. Store Leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. NOTE: If you omit the bacon, this dip may be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks safely.

Do Not Freeze

Nutrition