Description
Adorable cream cheese penguins made with black olives, carrots, and creamy cheese are a fun, easy, and crowd-pleasing appetizer for parties and kids’ gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
- 24 large whole black olives, pitted (for bodies)
- 24 small black olives, pitted (for heads)
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- 2 large carrots, peeled
- Chives or green onion stems (optional, for garnish)
- Salt & pepper (optional, to taste)
- Toothpicks
Instructions
- Peel carrots and slice into 24 thin rounds (about 1/8 inch thick). Cut a small wedge out of each round; reserve the wedge for the beak and the round for the foot.
- In a bowl, mix softened cream cheese with a pinch of salt and pepper if desired. Stir until smooth and spreadable. Transfer to a piping bag or use a small spoon.
- Take 24 large black olives and cut a vertical slit down one side, stopping just short of the bottom to create an opening.
- Pipe or spoon cream cheese into the slit of each olive, filling generously but not overstuffing.
- Press a reserved carrot wedge into the pitted hole of each small olive to create the beak.
- Place each cream cheese-filled olive vertically onto a carrot round foot. Top with a small olive head (with beak) and secure all pieces together with a toothpick.
- Optional: Tie a small chive or green onion stem around the neck for a scarf, or add a tiny bow tie with a sliver of red pepper.
- Arrange penguins on a platter and chill in the fridge for 20 minutes before serving.
Notes
- These snacks are naturally gluten-free.
- They can be prepared in advance and chilled before serving.
- Feel free to customize with different vegetables for decoration.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 penguin
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 0
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
Keywords: Cream Cheese Penguins Snack, appetizer, party food