Football Shaped Cheese Ball Food

FOOTBALL CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Mix together the cream cheese, shredded Cheddar, green onion, Worcestershire sauce, and taco seasoning mix in a large bowl. Press the cheese mixture into a ball, turn it out onto a sheet of plastic wrap.
• Use the plastic wrap to press the cheese ball into the shape of a football by flattening the ball and rounding each end. Place the cheese football on a plate, arrange the strips of American cheese like laces on the top of the cheese football. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
• Remove the cheese ball from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving.

FOOTBALL CHEESEBALL WITH HERBED CRACKERS

Steps:

• Combine the cream cheese, Cheddar, hot sauce, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, onion powder and shallots in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer until thoroughly blended. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a large sheet of plastic wrap, cover with a second sheet of plastic wrap and form into a football shape. Wrap up in the plastic and refrigerate until firm, at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Combine the butter, rosemary and thyme in a small bowl and microwave until melted.
• Lay the crackers out on two baking sheets. Brush the tops with about 2 1/2 tablespoons of the herb butter. Bake until fragrant and a shade darker, about 10 minutes. Cool completely, then store in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to eat. (The crackers can be made up to 2 days ahead.)
• Toss the walnuts with the remaining herb butter and arrange on a baking sheet in a single layer. Bake until golden brown, about 8 minutes. Cool completely, then finely chop.
• Unwrap the cheese ball and cover completely with the walnuts. Transfer to a serving dish. Separate the string cheese into strands and arrange them to look like the laces on a football. Serve with the herbed crackers and crudites.

FOOTBALL-SHAPED COOKIE BALLS

Steps:

• Mix cream cheese and cookie crumbs until blended.
• Roll into 40 (1-inch) balls; shape each into oval to resemble football. Freeze 10 min. Dip in melted chocolate; place in single layer on waxed paper-covered baking sheet. Use icing to draw laces on footballs.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm.

PEPPERONI PIZZA FOOTBALL CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Beat the cream cheese until light and fluffy. Beat in the Italian seasoning, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese.
• Mix in half of the pepperoni slices, green onions, bacon, and pimientos.
• Line a small bowl with plastic wrap. Spoon cheese mixture into bowl. Press mixture into bowl so that it takes on the shape of the bowl. Use the ends of the plastic wrap to wrap up the cheeseball firmly. Transfer the wrapped cheese ball to a cutting board and use your hands to shape it into a football.
• Refrigerate for at least 2 hours and up to 48 hours.
• Remove the cheese ball from the fridge and cover with remaining pepperoni, pressing gently to adhere.
• Serve with pretzels, bread sticks, crackers, and veggies.