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Cheddar Chive Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball

Thanksgiving is almost here! I have the most adorable cheese ball to share. This cheese ball is a delicious mixture of cream cheese, chives and cheese. Simple but really tasty. The garnishes of colorful pie crust leaves to decorate it take it really over the top.

I saw the original idea for this over at Home Is Where the Boat Is – a gorgeous table setting website. It is pumpkin shaped, but there is no actual pumpkin in it.  What makes this appetizer so gorgeous is the garnish of colorful pie crust leaves, pretzel rod stem, and cheddar cheese ribs to define the pumpkin. 

It may seem like a lot of work, but really it isn’t that bad. If you are busy on turkey day, as most of us are, make the cheese ball the day before, along with the pie crust leaves. If you have kids in the house, let them help out painting the leaves. It is a fun family activity and the leaves look great even if they are a bit messy.

Cheddar & Chive Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball

A cheddar and fresh chive cheese ball decorated with pie crust leaves and pretzel rod stem.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 4 hours
Cook Time 8 minutes
Total Time 4 hours 8 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 16
Calories 189 kcal

Equipment

  • Fall Leaves Cookie Cutters

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz. cream cheese 2 blocks
  • 1/2 cup finely chopped fresh chives
  • 1 1/2 cups freshly shredded cheddar or cheddar/jack blend
  • 1 pkg. crackers of your choice
  • 3 square cheddar slices for pumpkin ribs
  • 1 unbaked pie crust
  • egg wash: 3 eggs + 1 Tbsp. water
  • Gel Food Coloring
  • 1 pretzel rod for pumpkin stem

Instructions
 

  • Let the cream cheese soften at room temperature. Once softened, add the chives and shredded cheddar. Mix well and form into a pumpkin shape. Lay out a large piece of cling wrap, add the cheese ball to the center and wrap. Chill for several hours until it is set up.
  • For the pie crust leaves: Lightly flour your counter top. Lay out the pie crust and cut into small shapes using a leaf cookie cutter. Transfer cut outs to a baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper. Using a dull knife, create indentations on each leaf to create the look of stems/ribs.
  • Preheat oven to 400-f degrees. In a bowl, add 3 eggs and 1 tablespoon cool water and mix well. Divide up the egg wash into smaller containers which we will be using to make the different colors. Add the food coloring and mix well. Using a clean paint brush, start with the lighter colors, such as yellow or light orange and paint the pie crust pieces. Add the darker colors to the inside area where we carved out the stems/ribs. The darker colors will settle in the middle and highlight the ribs. Make sure all the areas are colored before baking. Bake for 6-8 minutes until baked through, and remove from the oven before any browning occurs. Let cool.
  • For garnish: Take the chilled cheese ball out of the fridge. While it is still in the cling wrap, you can reshape it if necessary, as well as creating the ridges that go down the sides of the pumpkin. I simply used my thumb and dragged it up and down the sides to create the ridges. Once the shape is to your liking, remove the cling wrap and place on your platter. Cut your square pieces of cheddar into thin slices. Lay them into the ridges gently. Break off a piece of a large pretzel rod and add to the top for the stem. Add a variety of crackers around the cheese ball. Gently lay the pie crust pieces on the platter, making sure to add a few to the top next to the pretzel stem.

Notes

Decoration inspired from Home is Where the Boat Is. Nutritional value does not include crackers.

Nutrition

Calories: 189kcalCarbohydrates: 7gProtein: 5gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 9gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 42mgSodium: 200mgPotassium: 64mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 541IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 107mgIron: 1mg
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10 Comments

  1. Oh my goodness, that's the most beautiful looking cheese ball I've ever seen!!! So fun and festive, and sounds delicious, too!