This pumpkin shaped cheese ball recipe is super easy and makes a great fall appetizer for Halloween parties or your Thanksgiving feast.
A cheese ball in the shape of a pumpkin. What a cute idea! I made one recently for a family gathering using ranch dressing for an easy option with great flavor. It's a good one for fall as there is so much celebrating going on during this time of year with football games, Octoberfests, and of course, Halloween, and Thanksgiving.
How to Make a Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball
What You'll Need
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 8 ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 pkg Ranch Dressing Mix
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Crushed Cheez-it Crackers
- Butchers String
- 1 large Green Bell Pepper Stem
Step 1. - In a large mixing bowl combine the ranch with milk and mayo and refrigerate for 20 minutes.
Step 2. - Then add the cheeses, mix well, and place the bowl in the freezer for 1 hour to harden.
Step 3. Crush a few handfuls of Cheez-It crackers about 1 cup and set them in a wide bowl. You could also use Doritos or other orange colored snack crackers.
Step 4. Remove the cheese mixture from the refrigerator and roll it in a layer of crushed cheese crackers. Then place it on some parchment paper and lift the side to create a ball.
Step 5. - Place three long (approx. 30 inches) pieces of butcher's twine on a table intersecting in the middle (see above). You could also use yarn or another type of string. Just make sure that it's thick enough to make a good indent on the sides of the cheese ball.
Step 6. - Wrap the cheese ball with a large piece of plastic wrap and set it on the intersecting middle of the twine. Then tie the pieces together at the top to create a pumpkin shape. Place in the fridge for 1 hour.
Step 7. - Remove the twine and plastic and sprinkle or pat on additional crushed crackers to cover the cheese ball if necessary. Then set a green bell pepper stem in the middle.
Keep refrigerated until ready to serve on a platter with crackers. If you want you could also serve carrots, celery, and other veggies for a healthy option.
It's the perfect appetizer for any fall event. Pretty, festive, and delicious. Your guests will love it.
More Cheesy Appetizers
Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Cream Cheese softened
- 8 ounces Sharp Cheddar Cheese shredded
- 1 pkg Ranch Dressing Mix
- 1/2 cup Milk
- 1/2 cup Mayonnaise
- 1 cup Crushed Cheez-it Crackers
- Butchers String
- 1 large Green Bell Pepper Stem
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl combine ranch mix with milk and mayonnaise. Refrigerate for 20 minutes.
- Add cream cheese and shredded cheddar cheese to the ranch mixture and stir well. Freeze for 1 hour.
- Transfer the cheese ball mixture to the bowl of crushed crackers and cover it with the crackers.
- Then place it onto a piece of parchment or wax paper and form a ball.
- Wrap plastic wrap around the cheese ball and twist at the top.
- Place the wrapped cheese ball on the center of three intersecting pieces of butcher's twine.
- Tie the twine at the top and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Remove the cheese ball from the twine and plastic wrap.
- Pat on additional cracker crumbs to the cheese ball if necessary and place it on a platter surrounded by crackers.
- Stick the stem of a large green bell pepper in the top middle of the cheese ball to act as a pumpkin stem.
Nutrition
Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.
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