The Great Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Only 4 ingredients and 10 minutes to make The Great Pumpkin Cheeseball. It's a perfect appetizer for fall parties or Halloween gatherings.
Servings: 32 tablespoons
Calories: 45kcal
Ingredients
- 8 ounces regular or ⅓-less fat cream cheese room temperature
- 8 ounce shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 4 teaspoons Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch Mix
- 1 bell pepper (stem)
- Board extras: potato sticks, pretzels, crackers, raw vegetables, pumpkin candies
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, shredded cheddar, and spicy ranch mix.
- Mix with a hand mixer until well blended.
- Transfer the cheese ball to a large piece of plastic wrap, wrap, and create a ball shape. Using 3 thick rubber bands, kitchen twine, or the edge or a wooden spoon or butter knife, create vertical grooves (pumpkin lines) around the pumpkin.
- Pour potato sticks or chips in the center of a serving plate. Unwrap the cheeseball and place in the center of the chips.
- Remove the stem from the green pepper. Place in the top of the cheese ball, resembling the stem of the pumpkin.
- Add board extras around the cheeseball as desired.
Video
Notes
Tips and Substitutions for Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball
- Pumpkin Stem Options: If you don't have a bell pepper stem on hand, another cute idea is a broccoli stem. A broken pretzel rod could also work.
- Soften the Cream Cheese: Ensure the cream cheese is softened at room temperature before mixing. Softened cream cheese blends more easily, resulting in a smoother texture for your cheeseball.
- Taste as You Go: While preparing the cheeseball mixture, taste it before finalizing the seasoning. Adjust the amount of ranch seasoning mix according to your taste preference. Some people prefer a stronger ranch flavor, while others prefer it milder.
- Add Texture with Cheese: For added texture and color, consider rolling the cheeseball in shredded yellow cheddar cheese.
- Add Texture with Nuts or Crushed Nacho Cheese Doritos: For added texture, consider rolling the cheeseball in finely chopped nuts such as pecans, walnuts, or almonds or crushed tortilla chips. These will add a pleasant crunch and complement the creamy texture of the cheeseball. However, this is best if serving within 12 hours.
- Experiment with Herbs: Besides parsley, you can experiment with other fresh herbs like green onion, chives, dill, or cilantro.
- Ranch Seasoning Mix: If you don't have a packet of spicy ranch seasoning mix, you can also use a regular ranch mix.
- Homemade Ranch Seasoning Mix: Make your own mix by following my Homemade Ranch Seasoning recipe. Add cayenne or chipotle chili pepper if you want to add that spicy kick.
- Cheese Variations: While yellow cheddar cheese is commonly used, you can experiment with other cheeses like white cheddar, gouda, Monterey Jack, or even goat cheese for unique flavor profiles.
Nutrition
Calories: 45kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 3g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 11mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 23mg | Sugar: 0.4g | Vitamin A: 110IU | Calcium: 61mg | Iron: 0.02mg
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