1 Video | Photo: Cheese Ball Goblin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature, plus 2 (8-ounce) packages whipped cream cheese
- 4 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 2 cups shredded mixed cheeses, such as cheeses for tacos
- Green food coloring
- 2 large tortilla chips
- 1 whole pepperoncini pepper
- 2 pimiento-stuffed olives
- 1 bell pepper, cut 2 thin strips and 6 small triangles
- 6 pitted green olives
- 20 small carrot sticks
- 3 cups shredded red cabbage
- Toothpicks
- Assorted crackers
- Assorted vegetables
Directions
Place 2 packages of cream cheese, butter, and milk in a mixing bowl, scraping down the sides of the bowl a few times. Beat with an electric mixer until smooth and combined. Add the shredded cheese and mix until well combined. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours, or up to 24 hours.
Remove the chilled cheese mixture from the refrigerator. Place the mixture on a piece of waxed paper and form the cheese ball into a head-like shape. Place 3 pieces of waxed paper around the edges of a serving plate, leaving open space in the center. Place the cheese in the center of the platter so some of it is right on the platter, but the edges are on the waxed paper. This will ensure that the platter does not get dirty while you make your goblin.
In a medium bowl, stir the remaining softened cream cheese until totally smooth. With a spatula, spread the whipped cream cheese over the head. It's O.K. if it's not totally smooth - this will give your goblin spooky skin.
Place a few drops of green food coloring in a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of water and mix well. With a pastry brush, paint the tortilla chips with the food coloring until they are the desired color. Set aside to dry for a few minutes.
Once the chips are dry, press them into the sides of the cheese ball to form ears. Skewer the pepperoncini with a toothpick and then attach it to the center of the head to make a nose. Press the pimiento-stuffed olives into the head to form eyes. Use the 2 red bell pepper strips to make eyebrows. Take the pepper triangles and insert them into the holes in the pitted green olives. The green olives will serve as toes, and the red pepper strips will be scary toenails. Once the olives are assembled, press them into the bottom of the head to form the toes.
Press the carrot sticks into the head to form teeth. Leave them sticking out a bit to make scary teeth. It's O.K. if your carrot sticks are different lengths and thicknesses. Hold the head onto the platter with a spatula and gently pull away the waxed paper. Finally, press the cabbage into the top of the head to make hair.
Serve with crackers and assorted vegetables.
Review This Recipe
You must be signed in to review this recipe.
or Register to Review
Newest Ratings and Reviews
Read all 38 reviews
By sarahlee_8983465
Bloomington, IN
on November 05, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This was a very cute part of the Halloween goodies at a party I attended. I made a mistake and mixed ALL of the cream cheese together, but it turned out fine anyway. However, next time I will be more careful to note that the whipped cream cheese doesn't go into the cheese mixture -- you "frost" the cheese ball with the whipped cream cheese! You DO NOT need 3 cups of red cabbage, FYI. Your goblin will turn into a Hippie Goblin if you use that much! Overall, a fun, cute and yummy addition to the Halloween festivities
By Marlitta
on November 01, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
Paula, thanks for this recipe! I have been making this every year for about 5 years and everyone has always been impressed and enjoyed it. I switch the cheeses every year depending on who my audience is and usually end up changing the face a little - this year I left the carrot mouth pieces at home and had to improvise. I used cut up olives instead and I really liked the effect.
By fattestcat
Bel Air, Maryland
on October 31, 2011
Flag
Flag This Review?
Please provide the reason why you think this review is inappropriate.
or Cancel
This is the second year I have made this. It is in the refrig just white - waiting for the grandkids to decorate it. THEY LOVE IT!!!!! Nothing better than the grandkids in the kitchen!
Read all 38 reviews