When it comes to holiday appetizers, nothing says festive quite like this Snowman Cheeseball. It’s creamy, flavorful, and almost too cute to eat—but trust us, your guests will dig in anyway! Made with just a few simple ingredients, this whimsical dish is as easy to make as it is delicious. Whether you’re hosting a family gathering or bringing a dish to a Christmas potluck, this snowman cheeseball is guaranteed to steal the show.

Snowman Cheeseball

What makes this recipe even better is its versatility. The creamy base gets its irresistible flavor from ranch seasoning and shredded jack cheese, making it the perfect partner for crackers, fresh veggies, or even toasted bread. And assembling your snowman? It’s like arts and crafts for the kitchen—fun, creative, and sure to spark smiles.

Perfect for both kids and adults, this snowman cheeseball adds a playful yet elegant touch to any holiday spread. With its adorable baby carrot nose and peppercorn details, it’s almost too cute to eat—until you take that first bite. Ready to bring some holiday cheer to your table? Let’s get started!

Serve this snowman cheeseball with our dill pickle cheeseball and our Caprese Christmas tree.

What You Will Love About This Recipe

Adorable Presentation: The charming snowman shape makes this cheeseball a centerpiece-worthy addition to any holiday table. It’s almost too cute to eat—but that won’t stop anyone!

Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: With the classic ranch seasoning and creamy cheese combination, this recipe is a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike. Pair it with crackers, veggies, or anything you love to dip.

Simple and Fun to Make: No advanced culinary skills are required here! Shaping and decorating the snowman is an easy and enjoyable activity that the whole family can help with. It’s a perfect way to add a creative touch to your holiday preparations.

Make-Ahead Friendly: The snowman cheeseball needs a little chill time in the fridge, making it an ideal recipe to prep in advance. That way, you can relax and focus on the rest of your party planning.

Ingredients:

2 – 8 oz blocks of cream cheese (Room Temperature)

1 oz package ranch seasoning mix

2 cups finely shredded jack cheese

1 baby carrot

whole peppercorns

How to Make a Snowman Cheeseball

Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature. Using a stand mixer, combine cream cheese and ranch dressing mix.

Divide the cream cheese mixture, use ⅔ of the mixture to form a larger ball, and use the other ⅓ to form a smaller ball for the snowman head. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the cream cheese to harden some.

Before serving, press shredded cheese into the cheese ball. Place the larger ball on a serving plate and place the smaller cheese ball onto the larger cheese ball. Cut off the tip of a baby carrot and press it into the cheese ball to make a nose. Use the peppercorns for mouth and eyes, Serve with crackers or veggies.

Tips & Tricks

Let the Cream Cheese Soften: Make sure the cream cheese is fully softened before mixing. This makes it easier to combine with the ranch seasoning and shape into balls without any lumps.
Refrigerate for Stability: After shaping the snowman, let the cheese balls chill for at least 2 hours. This helps them firm up and hold their shape while you decorate and serve.
Choose Fine Cheese Shreds: Using finely shredded cheese for the coating gives the snowman a smoother, more snow-like appearance. If your cheese is coarsely shredded, give it a quick chop for better coverage.
Use Toothpicks for Stability: To keep the snowman’s head securely on its body, insert a toothpick or small skewer between the two cheese balls before decorating. This is especially helpful if you’re transporting the dish.
Get Creative with Decorations: While a baby carrot and peppercorns are classic, feel free to use mini chocolate chips for the eyes and mouth or a small red pepper slice for a scarf. Have fun personalizing your snowman!
Serve with Variety: Pair the snowman cheeseball with an assortment of dippers like crackers, pretzels, sliced cucumbers, or carrot sticks. It gives guests plenty of options to enjoy this festive appetizer.
Make It Ahead: You can prepare the snowman cheeseball up to two days in advance. Just keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate. Wait to add the shredded cheese and decorations until just before serving.

FAQs

Yes! You can prepare the cheeseballs up to two days in advance. Keep them tightly wrapped in plastic wrap and store them in the refrigerator. Wait to add the shredded cheese and decorations until just before serving to keep them fresh and visually appealing.

To secure the head to the body, insert a toothpick or skewer between the two cheese balls. This helps keep them from sliding apart, especially if the dish is on display for a while.

Crackers, pretzels, sliced veggies (like cucumbers and bell peppers), and even breadsticks work great as dippers. Choose a variety to cater to different tastes and dietary preferences.

Snowman Cheeseball

This Snowman Cheeseball is the perfect Christmas appetizer to serve at all your holiday get together and parties this year. It is super simple to make and is a huge hit among kids and adults!

Ingredients

2 - 8 oz blocks of cream cheese (Room Temperature)
1 oz package ranch seasoning mix
2 cups finely shredded jack cheese
1 baby carrot
whole peppercorns

Instructions

Allow cream cheese to come to room temperature. Using a stand mixer, combine cream cheese and ranch dressing mix.
Divide the cream cheese mixture, use ⅔ of the mixture to form a larger ball, and use the other ⅓ to form a smaller ball for the snowman head. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours to allow the cream cheese to harden some.
Before serving, press shredded cheese into the cheese ball. Place the larger ball on a serving plate and place the smaller cheese ball onto the larger cheese ball. Cut off the tip off of a baby carrot and press it into the cheese ball to make a nose. Use the peppercorns for mouth and eyes, Serve with crackers or veggies.

Melissa

I’m Melissa, the imaginative force behind Sparkles to Sprinkles, where creativity comes to life, and sprinkles of joy are scattered generously. Melissa is a proud Jersey girl who found love with a New York boy. As a mom to four wonderful boys and a few fur babies, her journey into the world of blogging began after making the life-changing decision to stay home and raise her children. Previously a dedicated workaholic, Melissa’s blog became her creative outlet and passion project. Inspired by her mother-in-law, a masterful cook renowned for her delicious home-cooked meals and legendary holiday feasts (think mouthwatering sausage stuffing), Melissa honed her culinary skills through a combination of family recipes and countless cooking classes. She often attended these classes with her son Michael, who shared her enthusiasm for cooking from a young age. Melissa’s love for learning extends beyond familiar cuisines, as she enjoys exploring international recipes in hands-on cooking classes. Her blog features a diverse array of recipes, showcasing her expertise with various kitchen appliances such as the Instant Pot, air fryer, Slow Cooker, Ninja Foodi, Instant Vortex Plus, and more. Join Melissa on her culinary adventures as she shares tried-and-true family favorites alongside exciting new discoveries!

Snowman Cheeseball