Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball ala Bobbe!

In honor of Halloween coming, I thought I’d share one of the most fun recipes in my arsenal. I’m sure a lot of you are either hosting or going to Halloween parties this weekend. If you need to take a really fun appetizer, this cheese ball is delicious and it makes a GREAT presentation!

The photos you see here are from an adult cocktail party I catered this weekend, so my pumpkins don’t have faces on them, but you can absolutely dress yours up as a jack-o-lantern if you wish!

Also, I use this recipe for loads of Holiday parties. I’ve formed it into a carrot for Easter, made it into a Christmas Tree for Christmas and it’s even been a heart for Valentine’s Day!

I regret not having photographed the entire process but you are smart enough to picture the ingredients in a bowl. You start by making the cheese mixture. Once it’s combined, you lay it out onto plastic wrap, wrap it up and form it into a ball. Then I usually find a bowl that’s a little more round, place the ball in it and then refrigerate for about an hour. At that point, you take it back out and start forming your pumpkin shape with rubber bands.  See below?

Once you have the basic shape, put it back in the refrigerator for at least a half hour. Then take it back out and cut off the rubber bands and remove the plastic. At this point you can add a topper. I saved the top of a bell pepper for this one.

Once you have your topper selected and in place, all you do is sprinkle the outside with pulverized Doritos. If you don’t like Doritos, crush up Cheetos, or any orange/cheesy chip you happen to like.

At the party last weekend, I made three little pumpkin cheese balls and used them as decorations for my meat trays. As you can see by the photo, I went out to the garden and clipped a few tomato leaves to make the stems.

At this point, you can add your own touches. Have fun with it and enjoy because this cheese ball is delicious and kids and adults alike, LOVE the flavor!

Ingredients:

• (2) 8 oz packages of cream cheese softened (I leave mine out on the counter overnight)
• 1/2 package of Taco Seasoning (any brand)
• 3/4 a small can of sliced black olives (chopped into tiny pieces)
• 1 bunch of chives, chopped (you could also use scallions or regular onion)
• 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
• 1 small bag of Doritos Nacho Cheese chips (or your favorite orange cheesy chip)
• Stem from a bell pepper.
• 4-5 rubber bands

Directions:

• In a large glass bowl, combine all ingredients but the chips and stem. (I usually microwave the mixture for about 20-30 seconds to soften everything to make it easier.)
• Turn the mixture out onto a piece of plastic wrap, wrap it up and start to form a ball.
• Place your newly formed ball into the refrigerator for an hour.
• Once chilled, form the pumpkin shape by using the rubber bands. Chill again for 30 minutes.
• Place the chips in a zip lock baggie and beat them until they are dust. OR you can use a food processor, but trust me, beating them is more fun!
• Cut the rubber bands off, remove the plastic, add the topper, then sprinkle the orange dust.
• Enjoy!

Author: Bobbe

I'm just a person. I've been a mystic sharing inspirational experiences and stories my entire life. This blog is a personal experiment in self reflection and expression with a few angel readings and recipes sprinkled in for good measure. (I've always got something cooking!) View all posts by Bobbe