Description

This delightful Pumpkin Cheese Ball recipe is a festive and flavorful appetizer perfect for fall gatherings and holiday parties. Combining creamy cream cheese with sharp cheddar, aromatic spices, crisp bacon, and toasted pecans, it resembles a pumpkin both in flavor and appearance, making it a charming addition to any snack table. Serve it with crackers or pretzels for a crowd-pleasing treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Ball Base

16 ounces cream cheese (room temperature, approx. 2 bricks)
2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ teaspoon onion powder
3 green onions, chopped
⅛ teaspoon ground black pepper

Toppings and Garnish

5 slices bacon, cooked until very crispy
¾ cup toasted pecans
Stem from a mini pumpkin or bell pepper (for decoration)
Crackers or pretzels (for serving)

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Instructions

Beat cream cheese. Using a hand mixer, beat the room temperature cream cheese in a large bowl until it becomes smooth and creamy.
Add ingredients. Mix in the shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, chopped green onions, and ground black pepper.
Beat mixture again. Continue beating the mixture until all ingredients are combined evenly and the mixture is smooth.
Gather mixture. Use a spatula to scrape and gather the cheese mixture into the center of the bowl.
Form cheese ball. Lightly oil your hands to prevent sticking, then shape the cheese mixture into a ball.
Wrap and secure. Wrap the cheese ball in plastic wrap and secure it by fastening 4 pieces of kitchen twine or rubber bands around it, crossing at the top and middle to help maintain the shape.
Chill cheese ball. Place the wrapped cheese ball in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour to firm up.
Prepare topping crumbs. Add the cooked bacon slices and toasted pecans to a food processor and pulse until they form a crumb-like texture.
Coat cheese ball. Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and gently roll or press it into the bacon and pecan crumbs using your hands until evenly coated.
Add pumpkin stem. Place the mini pumpkin or bell pepper stem on top of the cheese ball to create a pumpkin-like appearance.
Serve. Present the pumpkin cheese ball on a serving platter with crackers or pretzels for dipping and enjoying.

Notes

Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature for easy mixing and a smooth texture.
You can substitute sharp cheddar with extra-sharp cheddar for a more pronounced cheese flavor.
For a nut-free version, omit pecans and increase bacon quantity or add finely chopped crispy onion.
The cheese ball can be made a day ahead and refrigerated to deepen flavors.
Use a mini pumpkin stem for decoration, or substitute with a small bell pepper stem or decorative herb sprig.
Ideal for fall and Halloween parties, but versatile for any occasion.