Mistletoe Kissing Ball (Print)

Creamy cheese and grape sphere woven with herbs and prosciutto, ideal for holiday celebrations and centerpieces.

# 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 (wrapped in plastic if not food-safe)
08 - 10.5 oz green grapes, seedless, firm, washed and thoroughly dried
09 - 5.3 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
10 - Small bunch fresh rosemary sprigs, for weaving and garnish
11 - Small bunch fresh thyme sprigs, for weaving and garnish
12 - 80 to 100 sturdy toothpicks or cocktail skewers
13 - Decorative ribbon, optional for presentation

# Instructions:

01 - Combine softened cream cheese and goat cheese in a medium bowl. Blend until smooth using a silicone spatula or hand mixer on low speed. Stir in minced chives, parsley, black pepper, and sea salt evenly. Chill 15–20 minutes if mixture feels too soft to hold shape.
02 - Scoop 1-inch portions using a small melon baller or teaspoon. Gently roll each portion between palms to smooth spheres. Place on parchment-lined tray and refrigerate at least 20 minutes to firm up.
03 - Ensure grapes are completely dry. Cut prosciutto into strips about ¾ inch wide and 3–4 inches long. Trim rosemary and thyme into 2–3 inch sprigs. Wrap foam ball tightly with plastic if not food-safe. Position ball on a stable bowl or mug to prevent rolling.
04 - Thread grapes, cheese balls, or prosciutto strips alternately onto toothpicks. Insert skewers into foam ball starting at top, spiraling downward for even coverage. Press gently and avoid overcrowding to secure ingredients.
05 - Tuck rosemary and thyme sprigs between toothpicks, creating arcs that interlace ingredients. Fill gaps to achieve a natural, organic appearance with vibrant herb color and aroma.
06 - Inspect for gaps and add extra grapes, cheese balls, or prosciutto as needed. Optionally tie a festive ribbon for hanging or display on a platter. Refrigerate up to 2 hours before serving. Assemble on the same day for best freshness.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that looks far more complicated than it actually is—your guests will assume you've spent hours in the kitchen, when the truth is wonderfully simpler.
  • The combination of creamy cheese, sweet grapes, salty prosciutto, and aromatic fresh herbs creates a symphony of flavors that feels sophisticated yet approachable.
  • It doubles as both an appetizer and a stunning centerpiece, solving the eternal party challenge of how to make food pretty and functional at the same time.
02 -
  • Assemble on the same day you plan to serve—assembling too far in advance allows the cheese to dry out and the fresh herbs to wilt, losing both the visual and flavor magic that makes this special.
  • Completely dry your grapes before skewering them; even one damp grape can cause a cascade of slipping, loosening your carefully-arranged sphere. This single step makes the difference between success and frustration.
03 -
  • Use a toothpick or skewer with a slight angle rather than perfectly straight—this helps ingredients nestle more securely against the foam and each other, creating better structural integrity.
  • If your prosciutto keeps tearing while rolling, gently warm the slices for just a few seconds or dampen your fingers slightly; these small adjustments make handling infinitely easier and your finished ribbons look more polished.
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