Description
A cheese ball is a holiday snack table staple at my house, & this festive Pumpkin Cheese Ball is perfect for Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or any fall celebration!
The cheese ball mixture itself is completely savory thanks to cream cheese & sharp cheddar cheese, but pumpkin & a few warm spices lend the kind of fall-inspired warmth that is downright crave-worthy this time of year!
To form it into a pumpkin shape, you’ll also need plastic wrap & kitchen twine to create indentations that resemble a pumpkin’s ribs (though ribbon, rope, or rubber bands work well, too!). So cute & so simple!
Feel free to prep one large pumpkin cheese ball for a show-stopping centerpiece, or use the cheese ball mixture to create a handful of pumpkin-shaped cheese balls in varying sizes – it’s like an edible pumpkin patch, & your guests will go crazy for it!
If prepping cheese balls is new-to-you, be sure to check out the blog post, above, for lots of tips & tricks from a born & raised Wisconsinite. ♡ Enjoy!
Ingredients
- 8 ounces Happy Farms Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup Baker’s Corner 100% Pure Pumpkin
- 3 cups Happy Farms Sharp Cheddar Shredded Cheese, divided
- ½ cup Southern Grove Chopped Walnuts or Pecans
- ½ teaspoon Stonemill Chili Powder
- ½ teaspoon Stonemill Garlic Powder
- ½ teaspoon Stonemill Paprika
- ¼ teaspoon Stonemill Ground Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Stonemill Ground Nutmeg
- kosher salt & ground black pepper, to season
- for assembly: plastic wrap, kitchen twine
- for serving, as desired: pretzels & crackers of choice, such as Savoritz Sea Salt Pita Crackers
Instructions
- Mix the pumpkin cheese ball mixture: In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the cream cheese & pumpkin. Use the paddle attachment to mix until smooth & creamy, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary, about 3-4 minutes on medium speed. (Alternatively, you can use a mixing bowl & a hand mixer, or a heavy-duty spatula & some elbow grease.) Once combined, fold in 2 cups of the sharp cheddar, nuts, & all listed spices. Season with ½ teaspoon kosher salt & ground black pepper as desired. Mix to combine well. Transfer to the freezer to chill 25-30 minutes. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="34494,34495"]
- Cheese ball assembly: Place the remaining 1 cup sharp cheddar on a large plate or in a shallow bowl & set aside. Prepare 2 large pieces of plastic wrap & 3-4 8-inch pieces of kitchen twine – set aside. Transfer the chilled cream cheese mixture one piece of plastic wrap. Use the plastic wrap to help you form the mixture into a ball – this may be a little messy, just be patient & keep working until it comes together. Roll the ball in the reserved cheese, coating it well. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="34496,34497"]
- Form the pumpkin cheese ball: Transfer the cheese-coated ball to the clean piece of plastic wrap. Fold the plastic around the entire surface of the cheese ball, covering it well, then place the cheese ball on your work surface, seam side facing down. Tie a piece of twine around the cheese ball, securing it as tightly as possible without popping the plastic wrap, to create indentations that resemble a pumpkin’s ribs. Repeat with the remaining twine, creating 6-8 indentations as desired. Transfer to the refrigerator to chill well before serving, 1-2 hours.
- Serve: Carefully snip the twine away from the cheese ball & unwrap the plastic. Transfer to a plate or serving platter. If desired, create a stem by inserting half of a pecan halve in the center of the pumpkin cheese ball. Serve alongside crackers or veggies of choice. Enjoy!
Notes
- Serving Suggestion: Create a pumpkin patch of pumpkin cheese balls! If you have a little extra time on your hands & want to create a whimsy & abundant look, use the pumpkin cheese ball mixture to form a few different pumpkin cheese balls, varying in size. Divide the cheese ball mixture from Step 1 into a few different portions, working each into a separate pumpkin cheese ball according to Steps 2-3 of Recipe Directions, above.
- Make-Ahead & Storage: Once assembled, this pumpkin cheese ball stores well, so it’s a really make ahead-friendly Thanksgiving snack or appetizer.
- Make-Ahead Instructions: Prep & form the pumpkin cheese ball according to Steps 1-3 of Recipe Directions, above. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Pull it from the refrigerator about 1 hour before you wish to serve, letting it soften & warm slightly.
- Storage Instructions: Store any pumpkin cheese ball leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.