Melted snowman cheese bites (Printable Version)

Creamy cheese bites shaped like melted snowmen, decorated with olives, carrot tips, and pretzels for festive flair.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese Base

01 - 8.8 oz cream cheese, softened
02 - 3.5 oz grated mozzarella cheese
03 - 2 tbsp sour cream
04 - 1/4 tsp garlic powder
05 - 1/4 tsp onion powder
06 - Salt, to taste
07 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Decoration

08 - 12 small mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine)
09 - 36 thin black olive slices
10 - 12 small carrot tips
11 - 24 pretzel sticks
12 - Fresh chives or parsley, finely chopped (optional)
13 - Crackers or sliced baguette, for serving

# Steps:

01 - Combine cream cheese, grated mozzarella, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper in a mixing bowl. Stir until smooth and fully incorporated.
02 - Shape 12 large, slightly flattened cheese balls (approximately 2 tablespoons each) using your hands. Arrange them on a serving platter, allowing edges to droop to create a melted appearance.
03 - Place one small mozzarella ball atop each base to form the head, pressing gently to adhere.
04 - Apply black olive slices for buttons on the bodies and eyes on the heads. Attach a small carrot tip as the nose. Insert two pretzel sticks into each side of the base to represent arms. Optionally, wrap a strip of chive or parsley around the neck as a scarf.
05 - Present immediately with crackers or sliced baguette.

# Expert Insights:

01 -
  • They're easier to make than they look, and people always assume you spent hours on them—trust me, your secret is safe with me.
  • Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so there's no stress about dietary restrictions when you're hosting a crowd.
  • The combination of creamy cheese, salty olives, and crispy pretzels hits all those satisfying flavor notes at once.
  • Kids find them delightful, and adults appreciate the playful creativity—this appetizer works across every age.
02 -
  • Don't skip softening the cream cheese. Cold cheese won't mix smoothly and will give you a grainy, disappointing texture. Plan ahead by leaving it out for 30 minutes.
  • The pretzel arms are best added right before serving. If they sit in the cheese too long, they absorb moisture and get soggy. Save that step for the moment your guests are about to arrive.
  • The mozzarella balls need to be completely dry before you decorate them, or the olive slices and carrot will slide right off. Pat them gently with a paper towel first.
03 -
  • If your cheese base is too soft and won't hold a shape, refrigerate it for 15 minutes before shaping. Too firm? Let it sit at room temperature for five minutes and it'll be perfect.
  • The difference between good and great often comes down to using fresh, quality ingredients. Splurge on good cream cheese and proper fresh mozzarella balls—it truly changes the final result.
  • Create an assembly line if you're making a large batch. Shape all the bodies first, add all the heads, then decorate all the faces. This rhythm makes the work feel meditative rather than rushed.
Go Back