Description

This festive Pumpkin-Shaped Cheeseball is a creamy and delicious appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining softened cream cheese, vegetable cream cheese, ranch seasoning, green onions, diced red pepper, and sharp cheddar cheese, it is shaped into a pumpkin with rubber bands for a fun presentation. Serve chilled with your favorite buttery crackers for a crowd-pleasing snack.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheeseball Mixture

8 ounce block cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
8 ounce tub vegetable cream cheese
2 Tablespoons Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch mix (or regular ranch)
3 green onions, sliced (green parts only, can use whites if preferred)
1 red pepper, finely diced (save the stem)
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese (divided use)

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Instructions

Combine cream cheeses: Using an electric or stand mixer, blend the 8-ounce block of softened cream cheese with the 8-ounce tub of vegetable cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
Add flavors: Stir in 2 tablespoons of Hidden Valley Spicy Ranch mix, 3 sliced green onions, finely diced red pepper (except the stem), and 1 cup of the shredded sharp cheddar cheese into the mixture.
Prepare base layer: Spread out a large sheet of plastic wrap on the counter and sprinkle about 1/4 cup of shredded cheddar cheese onto it to prevent sticking.
Form cheeseball: Place the cheese mixture atop the cheddar on the plastic wrap, then sprinkle the remaining shredded cheddar cheese over the top and sides of the cheese ball evenly.
Wrap tightly: Wrap the cheeseball tightly using two layers of cling wrap to keep it secure and well-shaped.
Create pumpkin shape: Place four large, wide rubber bands evenly around the ball (doubling them for indentations) to create pumpkin-like ridges; kitchen twine can be used as an alternative.
Chill: Refrigerate the wrapped cheeseball for at least two hours, preferably overnight, allowing the flavors to meld and the shape to set firmly.
Final touches: When ready to serve, remove the rubber bands and carefully unwrap the cling wrap. Gently insert the saved red pepper stem into the top center to resemble a pumpkin stem.
Serve: Present the pumpkin-shaped cheeseball with your favorite buttery crackers for dipping and spreading.

Notes

This cheeseball offers a creamy ranch-flavored filling covered with sharp cheddar cheese, perfect for festive occasions like Thanksgiving.
Double wrapping with cling wrap and ensuring tight rubber bands are essential to maintain the pumpkin shape without leaking.
Overnight chilling enhances flavor blending and firmness for easier slicing and serving.
You can substitute regular ranch seasoning if spicy ranch mix is unavailable.
Use green onion whites if you prefer a milder onion flavor.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 230 kcal
Sugar: 3 g
Sodium: 787 mg
Fat: 15 g
Saturated Fat: 10 g
Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
Trans Fat: 0 g
Carbohydrates: 7 g
Fiber: 0.5 g
Protein: 13 g
Cholesterol: 50 mg