The Royal Orb Cheese Ball (Print Version)

Festive cheese ball with pomegranate seeds and chopped pistachios, ideal for elegant entertaining and holiday spreads.

# What You'll 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

→ 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

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, cheddar, feta, sour cream, chives, garlic, black pepper, and salt. Mix thoroughly until smooth and evenly blended.
02 - Using clean hands or a spatula, shape the mixture into a large ball. If too soft, chill in the refrigerator for 10–15 minutes before shaping.
03 - Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm and meld flavors.
04 - Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and place it on a serving plate.
05 - Gently press chopped pistachios and pomegranate seeds all over the surface, alternating for a jeweled effect. Sprinkle with parsley if desired.
06 - Present immediately with crackers, crudités, or flatbread.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it but comes together in about 20 minutes of actual work.
  • The flavor combination of tangy feta, sharp cheddar, and creamy cheese is impossibly balanced and keeps people reaching for more.
  • You can make it a day ahead, which means zero stress when guests arrive.
  • Naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so you're not leaving anyone out.
02 -
  • Soften your cream cheese properly at room temperature or your mixture will be lumpy and impossible to work with—hard cream cheese won't blend smoothly with the other cheeses.
  • The pomegranate seeds will slide right off if you don't press them in with intention and a bit of firmness; a gentle hand here means they'll fall off when people try to eat it.
03 -
  • Lightly toast your pistachios before chopping—it deepens the flavor and makes them taste less like a garnish and more like an intentional ingredient.
  • Keep a small bowl of pomegranate seeds separate while decorating so you can fill in any gaps and ensure an even distribution of color and brightness.
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