This is the simplest appetizer – made extra cute with a few extra minutes of shaping. It’s also a huge crowd pleaser. Who doesn’t love cheddar and ranch?

I love entertaining during the winter. I’m not talking Christmas – I’m talking the doldrum months that start the year. Everyone seems extra excited to have something to do – which means a fun, themed get together is alwasy a highlight.

This igloo cheeseball is the perfect snack for a winter movie night or winter wonderland party!

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• How to Make a Cheddar Ranch Igloo Cheeseball
• Tips for Making an Igloo Cheeseball
• Recipe for Cheddar Ranch Igloo Cheeseball

Ingredients

Ready to make it? Here’s what you’ll need:

• 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 4 oz. shredded white cheddar cheese
• 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Black olives, optional for decorating
• Toothpicks, optional for decorating

How to Make a Cheddar Ranch Igloo Cheeseball

This recipe has two different parts: mixing it up, and shaping it.

• In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded white cheddar cheese, ranch dressing mix, and garlic power until well combined. You can do this by hand, or with a hand mixer or stand mixer.

Shaping has two different options.

• To make an igloo shape, turn a bowl upside-down onto a plate. spread the cheese mixture over, reserving a little to shape into the igloo entrance when the bowl is covered. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• To make a cheeseball, pile the cheese mixture onto a large piece of place wrap and wrap tightly, forming into a ball. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Top Tips for Making this Cheeseball

I love the look of a big cheeseball, but making a big cheeseball is too much. I get the look by spreading the cheese over an upside-down bowl. It also makes it easier to scrape off just enough cheese when serving. This works well for all cheeseballs!

The olive penguins are a cute addition. To make them, slice one lengthwise and stuff with cream cheese or some of the cheeseball mixture. Use a toothpick to secure another olive to the cheese-stuffed one.

If there are leftovers, I scrape the cheese off the bowl and transfer to an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Recipe for Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball

White Cheddar Ranch Cheeseball

Yield: 8-10 Servings

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

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Ingredients

• 2 (8 oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
• 4 oz. shredded white cheddar cheese
• 1 packet dry ranch dressing mix
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• Black olives, optional for decorating
• Toothpicks, optional for decorating

Instructions

1. In a medium bowl, mix together the softened cream cheese, shredded white cheddar cheese, ranch dressing mix, and garlic power until well combined. You can do this by hand, or with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
2. To make an igloo shape, turn a bowl upside-down onto a plate. spread the cheese mixture over, reserving a little to shape into the igloo entrance when the bowl is covered. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. To make a cheese ball, pile the cheese mixture onto a large piece of place wrap and wrap tightly, forming into a ball. Refrigerate until ready to serve.