JALAPENO POPPER CHEESE BALL RECIPE

Ingredients

• 2 8-ounce boxes slightly softened cream cheese
• 2 tablespoons sour cream
• ¾ teaspoon garlic powder
• ½ teaspoon onion powder
• ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese, reserved ½ cup
• 10 slices crispy cooked bacon , reserved chopped half
• 2 jalapenos, chopped reserved half
• ½ cup chopped scallions reserved half

Instructions

Using a stand mixer or hand mixer on medium speed, beat cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper until smooth and creamy.

Reduce heat to low and mix in 1 1/2 cups Cheddar cheese, half the chopped bacon, half the chopped jalapeños, and half the chopped scallions.

Combine the reserved cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and scallions in a small resealable bag and store in the refrigerator.
Place a large piece of plastic on a countertop.

Place the cheese in a ball pan and lift the sides of the plastic wrap to cover the cheese ball.

Use the wrapping process to form the cheese into a ball.

Place the cheese ball in the refrigerator overnight.
Remove the cheese ball about 20 minutes before serving.

Spread the reserved cheddar cheese, bacon, jalapenos, and scallions on a cutting board or large plate.

Unwrap the ball and roll in the reserved ingredients.

Notes

Plan ahead and let the cream cheese soften a little. You want the dough to be soft enough to mix, but not so soft that it is difficult to form the cheese ball.
Use good quality cheddar cheese and grate it yourself. It has a much better taste than pre-grated cheese.
Using plastic gloves, remove the stems, seeds, and veins from the jalapeno.Or at least be careful not to touch your eyes and wash your hands thoroughly afterwards.
Be sure to read my section on choosing mild jalapenos.
Make it at least a day in advance. This gives it enough time to harden properly.
If your cheese ball is difficult to shape, try again after several hours in the refrigerator and shape it while still wrapped.For best results, remove the cheese balls 20 minutes before serving and roll them with the remaining topping.

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