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Football Shaped Cheese Ball Appetizer

This easy to make football shaped cheese ball would be the hit of any game day party or Superbowl. Make ahead and store in fridge up to one week, transfer to serving tray and add a variety of crackers for an irresistible appetizer everyone will enjoy.

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese block grated
  • 1/2 tsp Nature’s Flavors Hickory Smoke flavor extract or liquid smoke
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tsp Tabasco pepper sauce
  • 1/2 tsp rubbed sage
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • 1/4 tsp garlic powder
  • dash of pepper
  • 1 cup pecans finely chopped
  • Optional garnish
  • Swiss or white cheddar cheese for football stitching effect

Disclaimer:

Nutritional Information is provided as a courtesy only and should be viewed as an estimate. Ingredients can vary with brands and size and Inspiration Apron makes no guarantees to the accuracy of this information.

Instructions
 

  • Beat cream cheese in a large mixing bowl with electric mixer until smooth. Next, add cheddar cheese, smoke extract, Worcestershire, hot sauce, sage, paprika, garlic powder and pepper and mix together until well blended with electric beater.
  • Lay out some plastic wrap. Scrape down sides of bowl and scoop mixture onto plastic wrap. Cover and twist sides and form into a football shape. Chill in fridge for 5-8 minutes to harden more before adding pecans and optional Swiss cheese garnish.
  • You can either use Swiss or white cheddar cheese slices or block cheese (I had some leftover from a Christmas gift I used) and cut and shape for football stitching. Use my photos as a reference, but it doesn’t have to be perfect.
  • Store cheese ball covered in fridge for up to a week or until ready to serve. When ready to serve, transfer cheese ball to serving tray and add a variety of crackers or pretzels around and a cheese knife or butter knife to cut and serve.
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