Sweet Jalapeno Cheese Ball Appetizer

If a party has appetizers you know I’m there. It’s my favorite section of the menu and it’s my favorite thing to make a meal of. For dinner on Christmas we have all appetizers at my in-laws after the gifts are opened and while I’m normally a hot dish kind of gal I thought I would put those candied jalapeños to work and make a sweet and spicy jalapeño cheese ball.

My sister-in-law always makes the best cheese ball (on my side of the family) and it’s to the point where if she doesn’t bring the cheeseball as her snack the rest of the night people are asking where it is. This cheeseball was brought to Joe’s side of the family. They like things a little spicy so I knew my audience.

While this comes together in just a few minutes, I made it the night before the party.  It needs a bit to set back up for shaping and then rolling in the cheese and green onion mixture. I served it with an assortment of crackers and I set the jar of remaining candied jalapeños next to it in case people wanted a bit of extra spice. If you do not have candied jalapeños handy, use a fresh chopped.

Ingredients

2, 8oz packages of cream cheese, softened (let sit out a few hours)
2 tbsp of chopped candied jalapeños or 2 tbsp of fresh jalapeños (make sure you take out seeds)
2.5 tbsp of full fat sour cream, This is not a time to cut calories it’s a cheeseball after all.
3/4 tsp of minced onion
3/4 tsp of garlic powder
2 cups of sharp cheddar, shredded
6 slices of bacon cooked and chopped (cooled)
2 bunches of green onions

In a large bowl stir together the cream cheese, jalapeños, sour cream, minced onion, garlic powder, 1 1/2 cups of sharp cheddar and the chopped bacon.
Line a piece of plastic wrap on the counter and shape the mixture into a ball with a rubber spatula and roll out onto the plastic wrap.
Using a separate piece of plastic wrap place on top of the cream cheese mixture and shape gently into a ball. Wrap and put in refrigerator a few hours or until you’re ready to serve.
When you are ready to serve take out of fridge and shape into more of a bowl and roll in extra cheese and green onions.
enjoy!

you know what would also be good to bring to a party? This cheese plate.