Description
This Pumpkin Cheese Ball is a festive and fun appetizer perfect for fall gatherings. It features a creamy blend of cream cheese, sharp cheddar, butter, and savory spices, shaped into a pumpkin and coated with crunchy cheese cracker crumbs. The finishing touch is a bell pepper stem to mimic a real pumpkin stem, making it both visually appealing and delicious to serve with crackers.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Mixture
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, finely grated
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
Coating and Garnish
- 1 cup crushed cheese crackers (such as Cheez-Its)
- 1 bell pepper stem
Instructions
- Combine Ingredients: In a bowl, place the softened cream cheese, softened butter, finely grated sharp cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, and smoked paprika. Stir thoroughly until all ingredients are evenly mixed and form a smooth, uniform mixture.
- Shape the Cheese Ball: Lay a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Spoon the cheese mixture onto the center and wrap the plastic around it tightly, forming it into a round ball shape. Add a second layer of plastic wrap to ensure stability.
- Create Pumpkin Ribs: Wrap two wide rubber bands tightly around the wrapped cheese ball on opposite sides to create a ribbed pumpkin-like texture. Add two more rubber bands spaced evenly to enhance the pumpkin effect.
- Chill: Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator and chill for at least two hours, allowing it to firm up and hold its shape.
- Coat with Crackers: Remove the cheese ball from the fridge, then carefully take off the rubber bands and plastic wrap. Spread the crushed cheese crackers on a plate and roll the cheese ball gently in the crumbs, pressing lightly to coat evenly with the crunchy exterior.
- Add Pumpkin Stem and Serve: Press the bell pepper stem into the top center of the ball to mimic a pumpkin stem. Serve immediately with your choice of crackers for dipping.
Notes
- This cheese ball is a great festive appetizer for fall or Halloween parties, offering a playful visual along with flavorful spices.
- Be sure to soften the cream cheese and butter fully to make mixing easier and ensure a smooth cheese ball.
- Use wide rubber bands to get clear pumpkin grooves; thinner bands may not create the desired effect.
- The cheese cracker coating adds a crunchy contrast to the creamy interior.
- The bell pepper stem is a natural, edible garnish but can be substituted with pretzel sticks or fresh herb stems if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 225 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 234 mg
- Fat: 17 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
