Recipe courtesy of Michelle Buffardi

Nacho Jack-o'-Lantern Cheese Ball

Getting reviews...
You don't really need any fancy equipment to make a cheese ball; as long as the cream cheese is at room temperature, you can mix everything in a bowl with a spatula. I just like to use a mixer because it's easier. I prefer to buy a brick of cheese and shred it myself; the pre-shredded cheese has a funny texture from the powdery stuff added to keep the shreds separate. And to crush the Doritos, you can put some in a resealable plastic bag and roll over it with a rolling pin or wine bottle. Or you can buy a medium-size bag of chips, remove (eat) half, roll the top of the bag down, and crush the Doritos in the bag. That option is as satisfying as it sounds.
  • Level: Easy
  • Total: 2 hr 15 min
  • Prep: 15 min
  • Inactive: 2 hr
  • Yield: 1 cheese ball
Share This Recipe

Ingredients

Directions

  1. Put the cream cheese, Cheddar, onions, salsa, cumin and jalapeno into the bowl of a mixer, and blend thoroughly. Form into a pumpkin-like shape, and refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours. 
  2. Before serving, roll the cheese ball in the crushed Doritos. Arrange the cheese ball on a plate, and press the bell pepper stem into the top - it should like a mini pumpkin stem. 
  3. You can serve the pumpkin as-is, or break off pieces of black bean chips to form a Jack-o'-lantern face. The chip pieces should adhere to the pumpkin cheese ball if you gently press them onto it, but you can also stick them on using a very small dab of the cheese ball mixture on the back of the black bean chip features; this will act like glue. Serve the cheese ball with black bean chips, crackers or crudites.

Fudge Factor

Train Frontman Pat Monahan's Dark Chocolate Obsession Feb 11, 2013

By: Cameron Curtis

Train frontman Pat Monahan, an avid chocolate lover, shared with us his top five reasons for eating dark chocolate.

The Craziest Chocolate Creations for American Chocolate Week Mar 17, 2013

It’s officially American Chocolate Week. Check out photos of mind-blowing chocolate creations.

Review: Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert's Chocolate Bar Nov 16, 2012

Anthony Bourdain and Eric Ripert have teamed up with master chocolatier Christopher Curtin to create the "Good & Evil" chocolate b …

Sifted: Plan-Ahead Valentine's Day Desserts Feb 6, 2013

By: Lauren Miyashiro

Get our take on the best in food news, recipes and more from around the web, including the best Valentine's Day recipes.

Over-the-Top-Delicious Treats to Satisfy Your Food Obsession

Are you infatuated with ice cream? Do you lust over lobster? Swoon at the sight of chocolate? Here's the best recipe for each food …

Chocolate Desserts

Indulge in our decadent chocolate desserts, from cookies and cakes to puddings, souffles and truffles.

Essentials: Chocolate Basics Sep 1, 2016

Satisfy that chocolate craving in your very own kitchen. All you need is baking chocolate and a little know-how. It also helps to …