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let’s make something Naughty

Pumpkin Cheese Ball

make me

Ingredients 

Serving Size: 8-10

Ingredients

  • 16 oz (2 blocks) cream cheese, softened

  • 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded and divided

  • ¼ cup bacon bits, plus extra for garnish

  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

  • 1 tsp smoked paprika

  • 1 tsp garlic powder

  • ½ tsp onion powder

  • ½ tsp salt

  • ¼ tsp black pepper

  • ½ tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or more if you like it spicy)

  • 1–2 tbsp chopped pickled jalapeños (optional for extra kick)

  • 2 tbsp chopped chives or green onions

  • 1 tbsp hot honey (plus extra for drizzle before serving)

  • 1 red bell pepper, stem reserved for topping

Instructions 

Instructions

  1. Mix the base:
    In a large bowl, combine softened cream cheese, 1 cup of the cheddar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, pepper, red pepper flakes, and bacon bits. Mix well with a spatula or hand mixer until smooth and evenly blended.

  2. Shape into a ball:
    Scoop the mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Gather the wrap around the cheese mixture and form it into a round ball.

  3. Coat with cheese:
    Spread the remaining 1 cup of shredded cheddar on a plate. Unwrap the cheese ball, roll it in the cheese to coat all sides, then rewrap it tightly in a clean layer of plastic wrap.

  4. Add pumpkin ridges:
    Wrap butcher’s twine around the ball several times (like slicing a pie into even sections), tying it snugly to create pumpkin-like ridges. Don’t pull too tight—you just want gentle indentations. Chill for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to set the shape.

  5. Finishing touches:
    Remove the string and plastic wrap. Place the cheese ball on a serving platter and press the bell pepper stem into the top to resemble a pumpkin stem. Optional: sprinkle with extra bacon bits or red pepper flakes for garnish.

This pumpkin-shaped cheese ball is equal parts cute and very much addictive, packed with sharp cheddar, crispy bacon, and pickled jalapeños. Really everyone's just going to be hovering around it until it's gone. It’s sculpted into a perfect little pumpkin making it the ultimate crowd-pleaser for any Halloween party, Friendsgiving, or cozy wine night.

halloween, appetizer, pumpkin, cheese ball

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