Prep time: 20 minutes · Chill time: 2 hours · Total time: 2 hours 20 minutes · Servings: 10–12
Bring a festive touch to your holiday table with this savory Pumpkin-Shaped Cheeseball! Creamy cheese, ranch seasoning, crisp red bell pepper, green onions and sharp cheddar come together with Bluebonnet Lecithin Granules for an easy appetizer that looks just like a pumpkin. Serve it surrounded by your favorite crackers and fresh vegetables for a fun fall centerpiece that's perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving or any autumn gathering.
Ingredients:
- 8 oz vegetable cream cheese, softened
- 1 packet ranch seasoning
- 1 red bell pepper, finely diced, stem reserved
- 1 cup sliced green onions
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 2 scoops Bluebonnet Lecithin Granules
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Your favorite crackers and fresh vegetables, for serving
Preparation Instructions:
- Prepare the vegetables. Wash and finely dice the red bell pepper, reserving the stem for the top of the cheeseball. Slice the green onions and set aside.
- Make the cheeseball mixture. In a large bowl, combine both cream cheeses, diced bell pepper, green onions, ranch seasoning and 1 scoop of Bluebonnet Lecithin Granules. Mix until well combined.
- Prepare the coating. In a separate bowl, combine the shredded cheddar cheese with the remaining scoop of Lecithin Granules. Spread about one-third of the mixture over the center of a large sheet of plastic wrap.
- Shape the cheeseball. Place the cream cheese mixture on top and cover the top and sides with the remaining shredded cheddar mixture. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and gently form into a round ball.
- Create the pumpkin shape. Wrap several pieces of kitchen twine or food-safe rubber bands around the wrapped cheeseball, spacing them evenly to create the ridges of a pumpkin.
- Chill. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or overnight for easy make-ahead entertaining.
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Decorate and serve. Carefully remove the twine or rubber bands and plastic wrap. Place the reserved bell pepper stem in the center to complete the pumpkin look. Serve with your favorite crackers and fresh vegetables.
Recipe tip
Make this cheeseball the night before your gathering to give it plenty of time to firm up and hold its pumpkin shape. For an extra-festive presentation, arrange different shapes and colors of crackers and sliced vegetables around the cheeseball.
