Smokey Football Cheese Ball with Pecan Bacon Crust

Real talk--the majority of my interest in football is mostly focused on daydreaming about the food one gets to serve or eat at a football game (or game day party)...and the occasional super hot football player (um...like this guy).

And you know what? I'm totally cool with that.

But something that I DO love with a passion is any excuse to entertain, and the Super Bowl is one such occasion!

Hence this football cheese ball!

Made with a smokey mix of cream cheese, spices, and shredded cheddar, then topped with crunchy pecans and bacon, it's game day magic!

You can make this one a day or two in advance, then just let arm up about an hour before serving (it's better soft so you can spread on crackers or bread).

One note about super cute cheese balls like this--people never want to be the first to dig in! So you might have to dig in and get that (foot)ball rolling.

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Loved this recipe? Here are three other snack recipes you might like:

• Homemade Chocolate Hazelnut Crackers
• Orange Rosemary Marinated Olives
• Crispy Salted Roasted Baby Artichokes

And let's connect so you can find out the next time I post! Follow me on Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest, become a fan on Facebook, or sign up to receive my once-a-week e-mail updates.

Thanks so much for reading!

Smokey Football Cheese Ball with Pecan Bacon Crust
Serves 10

Ingredients
3 8oz packages cream cheese, softened to room temperature
8oz shredded cheddar or Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup heavy cream
2 teaspoons Tabasco
1 tablespoon smoked Spanish paprika
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

For the topping
8oz pecans, chopped
6 strips bacon, cooked & diced
3 slices white cheddar or provolone cheese

Crackers for serving

Directions
In a mixer, combine cream cheese, cheddar, heavy cream, tabasco, paprika, and Worcestershire sauce. Mix well until evenly combined. Scoop mixture onto a serving platter and use clean hands to shape into a football.

Mix the pecans and bacon, and press into cheeseball to cover completely.

Cut cheese slices into 1 long 3/4” thick strip and 5-8 small ones, then arrange on cheeseball to create the laces.

Cover with plastic wrap and let chill at least 2 hours before serving with crackers or bread.