Pumpkin Cheese Ball

Crushed cheese puffs give this Cheddar-and-chive cheese ball its orange coating. Shape it like a pumpkin and serve the bell pepper slices alongside for dipping.

Ingredients

• 3 cups orange cheese puffs

• 2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature

• 3 cups shredded Cheddar

• 1/4 cup chopped chives

• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

• 1 bell pepper with a long stem

• Crackers, for serving

Directions

1. Process the cheese puffs into fine crumbs and spread them on a rimmed baking sheet.

2. Mix the cream cheese, Cheddar, chives, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl.

3. Shape the mixture into a ball and gently flatten the top. Use the tip of a butter knife to mark curved lines down the sides, like the ribs of a pumpkin.

4. Roll the cheese ball in the cheese-puff crumbs to coat. Cut the whole stem from the bell pepper and set it on top as a decoration. Seed and slice the rest of the pepper.

5. Serve with the crackers and pepper slices. Keep refrigerated until serving, and remove the decorative stem before eating.

Recipe source: Food Network Kitchen, “Pumpkin Cheese Ball”