Name: Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Prep time: 20 min
Yield: 3 servings
Ingredients: 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup canned pumpkin; 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, well drained; 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese; 1 package (2-1/2 ounces) dried beef, finely chopped; 1 tablespoon finely chopped onion; Green pepper stem; Crackers or assorted fresh vegetables

As charming as it is delicious, this pumpkin cheese ball is a perfect autumnal treat for a Halloween party or Thanksgiving buffet.

Ingredients

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup canned pumpkin

1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple, well drained

2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

1 package (2-1/2 ounces) dried beef, finely chopped

1 tablespoon finely chopped onion

Green pepper stem

Crackers or assorted fresh vegetables

Instructions

1 Make a cheese ball

2 In a bowl, beat the cream cheese, pumpkin and pineapple together. Then, stir in the cheddar cheese, beef and onion. Shape the mixture into a ball and wrap it in plastic.

3 Turn it into a pumpkin

4 Wrap the cheese ball in four pieces of string (or four rubber bands), creating indentions to resemble a pumpkin. Chill the cheese ball for one hour, then carefully unwrap it and set it on a platter.

5 Plate it up

6 De-stem the green pepper and pop it on the top of the cheese ball to serve as a pumpkin stem. Slice the remaining pepper and serve the cheese ball with crackers, the pepper and other assorted vegetables.