Mistletoe Kissing Ball (Printable)

A vibrant holiday centerpiece with grapes, herbed cheese balls, prosciutto, and aromatic sprigs arranged on a round board.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese Balls

01 - 10.5 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese
03 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
04 - 1 tbsp fresh parsley, finely chopped
05 - 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
06 - 1/4 tsp sea salt

→ Assembly

07 - 9 oz green seedless grapes
08 - 3.5 oz thinly sliced prosciutto
09 - 1 small bunch fresh thyme sprigs
10 - 1 small bunch fresh rosemary sprigs
11 - 1 small bunch fresh mint leaves
12 - 1 round wooden or food-safe foam board, approximately 8-10 inches diameter
13 - 35–40 small decorative toothpicks or cocktail picks

# How-To:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, goat cheese, chopped chives, parsley, black pepper, and sea salt. Mix thoroughly until smooth and homogeneous.
02 - Using clean hands, roll the cheese mixture into small spheres approximately 1 inch in diameter, producing around 18 to 20 cheese balls. Arrange them on a tray and refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm.
03 - Wash the seedless grapes thoroughly and pat dry.
04 - On the clean round board, arrange the cheese balls and grapes alternately in a dense, spherical pattern. Secure each piece with toothpicks angled slightly toward the center to create a rounded shape.
05 - Fold prosciutto slices into rosettes or small bundles and insert them between the grapes and cheese balls, securing with toothpicks as needed.
06 - Distribute fresh thyme, rosemary, and mint sprigs evenly throughout the arrangement, tucking them in to add aromatic greenery and visual appeal.
07 - Continue adding ingredients until the board is densely covered, forming a lush, edible mistletoe-style ball. Keep refrigerated until serving.
08 - Place the completed centerpiece on a serving platter and allow guests to pick individual bites at will.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen, but honestly takes just 25 minutes of hands-on time
  • The combination of creamy goat cheese and sharp prosciutto with fresh herbs creates this perfect balance of flavors that keeps people coming back for another bite
  • Unlike traditional appetizers, this one doubles as your table centerpiece, so you're not juggling multiple dishes
  • It's naturally gluten-free and feels elegant enough for your fanciest gatherings
02 -
  • Your cream cheese absolutely must be softened beforehand, or you'll end up with a grainy, frustrating mixture that won't roll into proper balls. I learned this the hard way one December
  • Don't skip the refrigeration step for the cheese balls—they need time to firm up, or they'll squish and fall apart as you're building. Patience here saves heartbreak later
  • Dry those grapes completely. Wet grapes will cause your toothpicks to slide around like you're building on ice
  • Angle your toothpicks toward the center; this is what creates that beautiful rounded shape instead of a lumpy mess
03 -
  • Before you start assembly, do a quick dry run with your cheese balls and grapes arranged on the board without toothpicks, just to see the pattern you want to follow—it makes the actual building go much faster and more confidently
  • Keep a damp paper towel nearby while you're building; wiping your hands occasionally prevents the cheese from getting sticky and making everything harder to work with
  • Those fresh herbs aren't just pretty—they're part of the flavor experience. Make sure you're using herbs that are truly fresh and fragrant; tired herbs will be underwhelming
  • The prosciutto adds crucial saltiness that balance the richness of the cheese, so don't skip it even if it seems like an extra step
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