Pumpkin-Shaped Cheese Ball
A savory pumpkin-shaped cheese ball made with cream cheese, sharp cheddar, chives, and simple seasonings. A shredded cheddar coating, kitchen twine, and a bell pepper stem turn it into an easy fall appetizer for Halloween, Friendsgiving, or Thanksgiving.
Ingredients
- 16 ounces full-fat brick cream cheese softened
- 2½ cups finely shredded sharp orange cheddar about 10 ounces, divided
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon onion powder
- ¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- Salt only if needed
- 1 bell pepper with an intact stem
- Crackers and sliced vegetables for serving
Instructions
- Beat or stir the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in 1½ cups cheddar, chives, Dijon, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, and black pepper. Taste before adding salt.
- Gather into a squat, rounded ball with a slightly flattened bottom. If too sticky to handle, refrigerate for 20 to 30 minutes.
- Spread the remaining 1 cup cheddar on a plate. Gently roll and press the cheese ball in the cheddar until coated all over.
- Wrap completely in two overlapping sheets of plastic wrap.
- Lay four 24-inch pieces of kitchen twine in an evenly spaced star pattern. Place the wrapped ball in the center. Bring each pair of ends up opposite sides and tie at the top. Tighten gently to create eight pumpkin sections.
- Refrigerate on a plate for at least 2 hours, or overnight, until firm.
- Wash and dry the pepper. Cut out the stem with a small collar of pepper attached and trim away seeds and white ribs.
- Cut off and remove all twine. Carefully peel away the wrap. Set the cheese ball on a serving plate and gently press the pepper stem into a shallow indentation at the top.
- Serve with crackers, vegetables, and a spreader. Remove the stem before cutting into the center.
Notes
Recipe Notes
- Use the cheddar weight if your grated cheese measures differently by volume.
- Full-fat brick cream cheese is the most dependable choice for holding the shape.
- Tie the twine around the plastic wrap, never directly around exposed cheese.
- Make up to 24 hours ahead and add the stem before serving.
- This is a savory cheese ball shaped like a pumpkin. It contains no pumpkin purée.
Estimated Nutrition Per Serving
Based on 16 portions, excluding crackers, vegetables, optional salt, and the decorative stem:- Calories: 175
- Protein: 7 grams
- Carbohydrates: 3 grams
- Fat: 16 grams
- Saturated fat: 9 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 2 grams
- Sodium: 230 milligrams