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Cheese balls are the perfect appetizer for any occasion.This pumpkin shaped cheese ball is made spicy with jalapeno and paprika. And covered with shredded cheddar cheese, and topped with a pretzel stick to resemble the pumpkin stem. Make this cheese ball for a fun Halloween themed appetizer. You can make this cheese ball ahead of time and keep it refrigerated for up to 2-3 days before serving.
The cheese ball mixture is made by creaming cream cheese with shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapenos, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. For the cheese mixture into a ball and wrap it in plastic wrap. The cheese ball needs to be refrigerated for at least one hour before serving. At this point, you can keep the cheese ball refrigerated for up to 3 days. Before serving, place the remaining shredded cheddar cheese into a shallow dish and roll the cheese ball in the cheese. Place it onto a serving plate and place a larger pretzel stick on top. You can also use a bell pepper stem instead to use for the pumpkin stem. Serve with crackers or vegetables.
Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 2 ( 8 oz. ) packages cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese, divided
- 1 large jalapeno, diced
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1 large pretzel stick
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese with 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese, diced jalapeno, salt, pepper, garlic powder and paprika. Mix until all are combined. Form mixture into a ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour.
- Place the remaining cheese in a shallow dish and roll the cheese ball in the shredded cheese. Place cheese ball onto a serving plate and top with the pretzel stick. Serve with crackers.