The BEST Cheese Ball Recipe
A delicious cheese ball recipe that is perfect to form into a pumpkin to add festivity to a grazing or appetizer tray.
Equipment
- 1 food processor optional, but makes blending easier
- plastic wrap
- 1 cutting board
- 1 chef's knife
- 1 set Measuring cups/spoons
Ingredients
- 2 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 C grated cheddar cheese
- 1 C pecans, finely chopped
- 2 T green, red or yellow pepper, diced
- 2 T onion, finely diced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 2 T Worcestershire sauce
- 1 t lemon juice
- 1/2 t smoked paprika
- 1/2 t garlic powder
- 1/4 t salt
- 1/4 t freshly ground black pepper
- 1 dash cayenne pepper
- more grated cheese, chopped nuts or paprika for outside coating to give the illusion of a pumpkin
- twisted pretzel stick, or pepper stem and sage leaves to finish stem and leaves for pumpkin
Instructions
- Add ingredients to a food processor, (or bowl if mixing by hand), and mix well.
- Form into a ball and wrap in plastic wrap and chill for a few hours or overnight.
- Remove the ball from the fridge and wrap the pumpkin on the outside of the plastic wrap with either twine or rubber bands, giving it the illusion of a pumpkin.
- Chill again.
- When ready to serve, remove from the fridge and remove the twine and plastic wrap. Cover with more grated cheese, nuts, or paprika to give it the look of a pumpkin.
- If needed, use the back edge of a knife to add more depth to pumpkin indentions after adding the finishing garnish.
- Add a stem of a pepper or a twisted pretzel stick and sage leaves to complete the pumpkin.
- Serve with your favorite seasonal crackers or nuts.
Notes
A delicious recipe that makes a great pumpkin cheese ball for fall or holiday gatherings.