Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Recipe type: Appetizer
 
A cute pumpkin shaped cheese ball that is easy and a great, cute appetizer for Halloween or Thanksgiving. A spicy cream cheese ball that goes great with crackers, chips or veggies.
Ingredients
  • 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, at room temp
  • 1 (1.1 ounce) package fiesta ranch dip mix
  • ½ of a bell pepper, chopped small (save the stem saved for "pumpkin"!)
  • 1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
  • 2 green onions, finely chopped
  • ¾ cup finely crushed cheddar chips (I used Pringles cheddar cheese chips)
  • yarn (for making the lines on the pumpkin)
Instructions
  1. Add all ingredients except the crushed cheddar chips to a bowl and mix till combined.
  2. Shape the cheese into a ball or pumpkin shape and wrap in plastic wrap.
  3. Place in the fridge till firm (about 2 hours).
  4. Crush the cheddar chips in a plastic back using a rolling pin till fine.
  5. Roll the cheese ball in the crushed chips and top with the bell pepper stem.
  6. Using the clean yarn, press the yarn into the cheese ball starting at the top and make your way down to the bottom. I did this 4 times.
  7. Serve with crackers, black bean chips, veggies, etc.
Notes
If you can't find cheddar cheese pringles, you could use nacho doritos. The texture and look will be a little different. If you want to make this a Jack O Lantern, you can use olives or black tortilla chips to create a face.
If you can't find the fiesta ranch mix, you could sub in some cumin and salsa. I really like the flavor of the fiesta ranch though!
Recipe by Baked in AZ at http://bakedinaz.com/pumpkin-shaped-cheese-ball/