Spook-Tacular Halloween Cheese Balls

Name: Spook-Tacular Halloween Cheese Balls
Prep time: 30 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 20
Ingredients: 10 mini sweet peppers, divided; 2 pkg. brick cream cheese, softened, divided; 2 tsp. garlic and herb salad dressing mix; 1¼ cups finely shredded Italian cheese blend, divided; 1 black olive, cut crosswise into 3 slices; ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese; WHEAT THINS Original Snacks; lettuce leaves; grapes; RITZ Crackers; TRISCUIT Crackers

This appetizer recipe makes a fun addition to a Halloween charcuterie board. Our easy cheese ball recipe is shaped into two pumpkins and a ghost to feed your guests.

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 h 0 min

Servings:

Makes 20 servings.

Ingredient list

10 mini sweet peppers, divided
2 pkg. (8 oz. each) brick cream cheese, softened, divided
2 tsp. garlic and herb salad dressing mix
1¼ cups finely shredded Italian cheese blend, divided
1 small black olive, cut crosswise into 3 slices
½ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
WHEAT THINS Original Snacks
Small lettuce leaves
Green and red grapes
RITZ Crackers
TRISCUIT Crackers

Directions

Cut tops off 2 of the mini peppers; reserve for later use along with 3 of the remaining whole mini peppers. Cut all remaining peppers into strips. Refrigerate peppers, along with 1 Tbsp. of the cream cheese, until ready to use.

Mix remaining cream cheese with the dressing mix and 1 cup of the Italian cheese blend until well blended. Shape 1 cup of the cheese mixture into a 3-inch-tall ghost shape, then shape the remaining cheese mixture into 2 equal balls. Wrap the ghost cheese ball and round cheese balls individually in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour.

Unwrap the ghost cheese ball, then coat it evenly with the remaining Italian cheese blend. Place in the center of a serving board or platter. Add olive slices for the ghost's eyes and mouth. Unwrap the remaining cheese balls, then coat them evenly with the cheddar cheese. Use the long edge of a rubber spatula to press lines into the cheese balls to resemble pumpkins. Add the reserved pepper tops to the tops of the pumpkins, gently pressing pepper tops into the cream cheese balls to secure. Add to the serving board.

Use the reserved cream cheese to decorate some of the WHEAT THINS to resemble tombstones as shown in photo. Tuck lettuce leaves around the cheese balls. Use the reserved whole mini peppers, pepper strips, grapes, assorted crackers and cracker tombstones to make a Halloween scene around the cheese balls as shown in photo.

Use a guideline of 2 Tbsp. cheese spread and 1 oz. (or labeled serving size) of crackers* per person. For a well-balanced board, fill in empty spaces with fresh fruits and veggies. Have plenty of RITZ Crackers, TRISCUIT Crackers and WHEAT THINS Snacks available for guests to choose from along with the fruits and veggies. *Serving size of RITZ Crackers is 1/2 oz.

Recipe Tips

Make Ahead
These fun cheese balls can be prepared ahead of time. Individually wrap the uncoated cheese balls in plastic wrap, then refrigerate them up to 2 days. Remove the cheese balls from the refrigerator, then coat them with the shredded cheese as directed. The coated cheese balls can be refrigerated up to 6 hours before serving.
Special Extra
Cut the green top off of 1 small green onion. Discard or reserve the white part for another use. Cut the green top into 1-inch lengths, then cut one end of each 1-inch lengths into thin strips. Place the green onion pieces in a bowl of ice water, then refrigerate several hours or until the onion strips curl. Use the green onion curls to decorate the pumpkin cheese balls and platter as desired.
Substitute
Substitute Neufchatel cheese for the cream cheese.
Variation
Prepare recipe using shredded mozzarella or white cheddar cheese and/or substituting 2 to 3 tsp. of your favorite dry seasoning mix, such as ranch, Italian or taco seasoning mix, for the garlic and herb dressing mix.