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1
Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide in half.
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2
Mix pesto into one half; mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into other half.
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3
Cover each half and refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape.
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4
Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet.
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5
Shape each half into cone shape to look like Christmas tree.
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6
Roll trees in parsley, pressing evenly onto trees.
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7
Press bell pepper pieces onto trees to form ornaments.
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8
Press pine nuts onto trees in string to form garland.
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9
Top each tree with star-shape cut from lemon peel, if desired.
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10
Serve with crackers.
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11
For Snowman Cheeseball: above recipe enough for one large snowman or two small snowmen.
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12
Omit parsley, pine nuts and bell pepper.
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13
Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide into 3 equal parts.
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14
Mix 2 parts to equal two-thirds of mixture;mix in pesto.
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15
Mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into remaining one third of cheese mixture.
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16
Refrigerate as directed.
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17
Shape each cheese mixture into two balls; roll 1/3 cup finely chopped blanched almonds.
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18
Arrange balls on serving plate with smaller ball on top for head of snowman; press together slightly.
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19
Insert pretzel sticks for arms.
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20
Decorate as desired, with capers (for eyes), sliced olives (for buttons), chopped carrots (for nose), sliced cucumber (for hat a thin slice for brim a chunk for top), chopped bell pepper (for mouth) and fresh thyme leaves (for scarf).
