Cream Cheese Ball Surprise Food

CREAM CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese and preserves until smooth and creamy. Scrape down the bowl, then beat in the garlic powder, salt, and hot sauce, and then the cheddar cheese.
• Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on the counter. Scrape the cheese mixture into the center in as circle-like of a mound as you can. It will not be a perfect ball at this point. Wrap the edges of the plastic around it to seal and encourage it to form a round ball. Place the wrapped cream cheese in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
• Toast the pecans: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and spread the pecans onto an ungreased baking sheet. Bake for 7 to 9 minutes, stirring once or twice, until they are deeply toasted and fragrant. Watch very carefully toward the end of the baking time to ensure the pecans do not burn. Transfer to a cutting board and chop into small bits. Let cool completely to room temperature.
• When ready to serve, remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator. Place the chopped pecans on a plate. (I find it's easiest to use a plate with edges that curve up a little. A pie dish works well too.) Add the parsley and lightly mix with your fingers to combine. Unwrap the cheese ball and place it on the plate with the parsley and pecans, coating well. The cheese ball won't roll like a true ball. Gently lift and turn it, patting the pecans and parsley all over the outside. Carefully lift it onto a serving plate. Serve with crackers or baguette slices.

MINI CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Mix 8 ounces softened cream cheese with 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce, 1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest and 1 cup shredded firm cheese (like cheddar, parmesan, pepper jack or gouda); season with salt and pepper. With moistened hands, form into 1-inch balls, chill 4 hours, then roll in toppings. Here we used chopped pistachios, chives, tarragon, hulled pumpkin seeds, bacon with paprika, almonds, and black and white sesame seeds.

PARTY CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Beat cream cheese and cheddar in small bowl with mixer until blended.
• Add all remaining ingredients except nuts; mix well.
• Refrigerate several hours.
• Shape into ball; roll in nuts.

CHEESE BALL SURPRISE

Steps:

• Place cheddar and cream cheese at room temperature for about 1 hour to soften.
• In a bowl mix Heinz 57 sauce, Worcestershire sauce, and garlic powder until well blended.
• Add cheese and roll into ball shape.
• Shake chili powder onto waxed paper and roll ball until covered.
• Repeat this step with chopped pecans until covered.
• Place immeadiately into refrigerator to chill to keep ball shape.
• Serve with party crackers.

CREAM CHEESE BALL SURPRISE

Steps:

• Soften cream cheese.
• Mix softened cream cheese, orange juice concentrate, craisins in bowl.
• Form mixture into ball using your hands.
• Roll in chopped walnuts.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

NAME THIS DISH CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Cook the bacon in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until just starting to crisp but still pliable, about 5 minutes. Remove 1 slice to a paper towel-lined plate. Continue cooking the remaining bacon until browned and crisp, 2 to 3 more minutes; remove to the plate. Halve the slice of less-cooked bacon lengthwise. Finely chop the remaining bacon.
• Beat the cream cheese in a large bowl with a mixer on medium-high speed until smooth and creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the cheddar, scallions, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, a pinch of salt and the chopped bacon; beat until combined. Refrigerate until slightly firm, about 30 minutes.
• Form the cheese mixture into 3 balls (about 2 inches, 2 1/2 inches and 3 inches). Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, freeze the Monterey jack cheese 1 hour (this will make it less clumpy when grated). Grate the cheese on the small holes of a box grater. Gently press all over the cheese balls to coat completely. Put the 3-inch cheese ball on a small serving plate; insert a 4-inch wooden skewer into the middle. Stack the 2 1/2-inch and 2-inch balls on top, securing on the skewer.
• Press the currants into the top cheese ball for eyes; add a carrot nose. Use the halved bacon to make a scarf and add rosemary sprigs for arms. Place the pretzel crisp on top for a hat brim. Cut off about one-third of the olive so that it sits flat; place on top of the pretzel crisp for the hat. Serve with more pretzel crisps.

RACK 'EM UP CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, ricotta and sour cream; add beef. Beat in the cheddar cheese, cereal, onion and Worcestershire sauce. Cover and chill for 30 minutes., In a small shallow bowl, combine blue food coloring and Swiss cheese; set aside. Shape cheese mixture into 16 balls. Roll one ball in white onion for the cue ball. Roll another cheese ball in olives for the eight ball. Roll a third ball in colored Swiss cheese; make a stripe of colored Swiss cheese on a fourth ball., With remaining cheese balls, make six solid-colored balls and six striped balls by rolling in the cheddar cheese, beef, red onion, green onions, yellow pepper and red pepper. Cover and refrigerate until serving., Thoroughly pat water chestnuts dry with paper towels. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, milk and black food coloring. Cut a small hole in a corner of a pastry or plastic bag; insert round tip #4. Fill bag with cream cheese mixture. Write numbers on water chestnuts; lightly press one water chestnut onto each ball (except cue ball). , Arrange pool balls on a wooden cutting board. Use breadsticks for pool cues. Serve with crackers.