Mistletoe Kissing Ball Centerpiece (Printable)

Festive combination of grapes, herbs, cheese balls, and prosciutto arranged on a round board as a holiday centerpiece.

# What You'll 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 grapes, seedless
08 - 3.5 oz prosciutto slices, thinly sliced
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, approx. 8–10 inches diameter
13 - 35–40 small decorative toothpicks or cocktail picks

# Directions:

01 - In a medium mixing bowl, blend cream cheese, goat cheese, chives, parsley, black pepper, and salt until fully combined and smooth.
02 - Using clean hands, shape the cheese mixture into small balls approximately 1 inch in diameter, yielding 18 to 20 pieces. Place on a tray and refrigerate for 10 minutes to firm up.
03 - Wash thoroughly and dry green seedless grapes.
04 - Begin arranging cheese balls and grapes alternately on the round board in a dense spherical pattern, securing each with a toothpick angled slightly toward the center for a rounded shape.
05 - Fold prosciutto slices into small rosettes or bundles and insert between grapes and cheese balls using toothpicks to hold in place.
06 - Distribute thyme, rosemary, and mint sprigs evenly throughout the arrangement to create an aromatic and decorative effect.
07 - Continue adding ingredients until the board is densely covered and resembles a lush, edible kissing ball. Refrigerate until serving.
08 - Place the assembled kissing ball on a platter and allow guests to pick individual bites at leisure.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that looks like you spent hours on it, but comes together in just 25 minutes—your secret ingredient is confidence and a good round board.
  • The combination of creamy cheese, bright herbs, and salty prosciutto means every bite tastes different, keeping people genuinely interested in what they're eating.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and can be made vegetarian in seconds, so it works for almost any guest list without feeling like you're serving something "special" for dietary needs.
02 -
  • Your cream cheese must be truly softened before you start, or the mixture will be lumpy and impossible to roll smoothly. If it's too cold, it simply won't cooperate.
  • Dry your grapes with genuine care. Even a little moisture will make the toothpicks slip, and your beautiful arrangement will start sliding before you know it—the whole thing falls apart if the grapes aren't dry.
  • Refrigerate your cheese balls before assembly. This isn't just a suggestion; it's the difference between neat, firm balls and slightly deflated ones that lose their shape under their own weight.
03 -
  • Invest in beautiful toothpicks or cocktail picks. The difference between cheap picks that splinter and good ones that feel sturdy in your hand is the difference between an appetizer that feels homemade and one that feels professionally made.
  • Use a lazy Susan or rotating surface while you assemble. You'll create a more even, balanced arrangement if you can turn the board as you work rather than reaching awkwardly from one side.
  • Make the cheese mixture the day before if you can. The flavors deepen overnight, and you're just rolling balls and assembling the next day—that's when the whole thing feels easy rather than rushed.
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