Mistletoe Kissing Ball Centerpiece (Printable)

A vibrant mix of grapes, herbs, cheese balls and prosciutto forming a festive edible centerpiece.

# What You Need:

→ Cheese Balls

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

→ Assembly

07 - 8.8 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 in diameter
13 - 35 to 40 small decorative toothpicks or cocktail picks

# Directions:

01 - Combine cream cheese, goat cheese, chives, parsley, black pepper, and salt in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly until smooth and well blended.
02 - Using clean hands, roll the cheese mixture into small balls approximately 1 inch in diameter. You should have about 18 to 20 balls. Place them on a tray and refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm.
03 - Wash and dry the grapes thoroughly to remove any moisture.
04 - On the clean round board, arrange cheese balls and grapes alternately to create a dense, spherical formation. Secure items with toothpicks angled slightly toward the center for a rounded effect.
05 - Fold prosciutto slices into rosettes or small bundles and insert them between grapes and cheese balls using toothpicks.
06 - Distribute thyme, rosemary, and mint sprigs evenly throughout the arrangement for aromatic greenery and visual appeal.
07 - Continue adding elements until the board is densely covered and resembles a lush, edible centerpiece.
08 - Keep refrigerated until ready to serve. Present on a platter allowing guests to pick individual bites.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that actually tastes incredible—creamy, herbaceous, and elegant without any fussing at the table
  • Everything comes together in just 25 minutes, which means you can look like you spent all day preparing while actually having time to set the table and take a breath
  • Your guests get to interact with their food, picking off bites as they mingle, which feels so much more festive than passing around a platter
  • The combination of tangy goat cheese, rich cream cheese, fresh herbs, and salty prosciutto creates flavor layers that keep people coming back for more
02 -
  • Don't skip the cheese chilling step—warm cheese balls will squish when you try to secure them with toothpicks, and you'll end up with a messy appearance instead of tidy spheres
  • Angle every toothpick slightly toward the center as you build; this one detail is what transforms a flat arrangement into a proper three-dimensional ball
  • Quality grapes make a huge difference; look for the firmest ones available, as softer grapes won't hold their shape under the weight of the toothpicks
03 -
  • Toast your fresh herbs gently in your hands before tucking them into the arrangement—this releases their aromatic oils and makes the kissing ball smell absolutely heavenly
  • If you're concerned about the board tipping, nestle it into a larger shallow bowl or on a bed of crushed ice; this stabilizes everything and keeps the cheeses chilled while your guests graze
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