Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball: 5 Easy Festive Delights
Create a visually stunning Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball that will delight your guests at any fall gathering. This creamy, cheesy centerpiece is not only easy to prepare but also offers customizable flavors to suit your taste. Perfect for parties, potlucks, or family dinners, this festive cheese ball can be paired with an assortment of crackers, veggie sticks, or pretzel bites for a delightful snacking experience. Impress your friends and family with this fun and unique addition to your appetizer spread!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: None
- Total Time: 0 hours
- Yield: Serves approximately 8 people 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Chilling
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp smoked paprika (plus extra for dusting)
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1–2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley or chives (optional)
- Stem from a bell pepper (for decoration)
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, blend the cream cheese and shredded cheddar until smooth. Mix in garlic powder, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper (if using), salt, pepper, and fresh herbs.
- Scoop the mixture onto plastic wrap and shape it into a ball using your hands.
- Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and use rubber bands to create vertical grooves for the pumpkin appearance.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 2–4 hours until firm.
- Remove the bands, unwrap the plastic wrap, and dust lightly with smoked paprika. Press the bell pepper stem into the top.
- Serve with crackers, pretzels, or veggie sticks.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approximately 50g)
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 320mg
- Fat: 15g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 45mg