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Delicious Cheese Ball appetizer ready to be served.

BEST CHEESE BALL HALLOWEEN

This Halloween cheese ball is the perfect appetizer for your spooky gatherings. It combines a creamy cheese base with customizable mix-ins and coatings, allowing for endless flavor combinations and festive presentations. Get creative and impress your guests with a delicious and visually appealing treat!
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 10
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
  • 1 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1/2 cup cooked bacon, crumbled
  • 1/4 cup green onions, finely chopped
  • 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, toasted
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries
  • 1-2 tablespoons jalapeño peppers, finely minced
  • 1 cup finely chopped pecans
  • 1/4 cup Everything Bagel seasoning
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
  • Crackers, pretzels, vegetables, or baguette slices, for serving

Equipment

  • Large bowl
  • Electric mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Plastic wrap
  • Shallow plate or dish
  • Serving platter
  • Knife
  • Cutting board
  • Spatula or spoon

Method
 

  1. In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add the shredded cheddar cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and Worcestershire sauce.
  3. Mix everything together until well combined.
  4. Gently fold in your chosen mix-ins (bacon, green onions, nuts, cranberries, jalapeños, etc.). Distribute them evenly throughout the cheese mixture.
  5. Taste and adjust seasonings as needed.
  6. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or preferably overnight.
  7. Once chilled, remove the cheese mixture from the refrigerator.
  8. On a large piece of plastic wrap, shape the cheese mixture into a ball.
  9. Wrap the cheese ball tightly in plastic wrap and return it to the refrigerator for another 30 minutes to an hour.
  10. While the cheese ball is chilling, prepare your chosen coating on a shallow plate or dish.
  11. Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and unwrap it.
  12. Gently roll the cheese ball in the coating, pressing lightly to help the coating adhere.
  13. Wrap the coated cheese ball in plastic wrap one last time and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the coating to set.
  14. Before serving, remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator and place it on a serving platter.
  15. Serve with your favorite crackers, pretzels, vegetables, or baguette slices.

Notes

For best results, ensure the cream cheese is fully softened. Do not overmix the cheese ball base. Chill thoroughly before serving. Customize the mix-ins and coatings to your liking. For a Halloween twist, try coating the cheese ball with black sesame seeds and using olives to create a spider, or mix orange food coloring into the base and coat with shredded cheddar to resemble a pumpkin. The cheese ball can be made a day or two in advance and stored in the refrigerator.