Cheeseball
This festive Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball is the perfect appetizer for fall gatherings, Halloween parties, and Thanksgiving celebrations! Creamy, savory, and full of flavor, it's shaped into an adorable pumpkin using kitchen twine and finished with a bell pepper stem. Best of all, it can be made a day ahead, making entertaining a little easier. Serve with your favorite crackers for a delicious appetizer that's just as beautiful as it is tasty.
Instructions
- 1
Mix all the ingredients except the nuts. Using your hands, thoroughly combine all ingredients in a large bowl, gently turning and squeezing, making sure the cream cheese is fully incorporated. It's important to be sure all ingredients are well blended. Then gently roll around the inside of the bowl to make a round ball.
- 2
In a pie plate or similar shallow dish spread the chopped nuts and roll the cheese ball around the nut to evenly coat. Gently press the nuts into the cheese ball. (If not making a pumpkin shape you may now wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate.)
- 3
To create the pumpkin shape: Wrap kitchen twine around the cheese ball, gently squeezing as you go to create pumpkin-like ridges. Twist the twine underneath the cheese ball, rotate, and wrap again. Continue rotating, wrapping, and twisting until you have approximately 8 evenly spaced ridges. Tie off the twine to secure the shape.
- 4
Chill. Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, preferably overnight for the best flavor and texture.
- 5
Add the finishing touch about 15 minutes before serving, remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator. Carefully cut and remove the twine and plastic wrap. Gently press a small indention into the top center and press a bell pepper stem on top to complete the pumpkin look.
- 6
Serve with your favorite crackers or accompaniments. Enjoy!