Spider Cheese Ball

Name: Spider Cheese Ball
Ingredients: 1/2 cup thick and chunky salsa; 1/4 cup sliced green onions; 2 tablespoons Land O Lakes Butter, softened; 6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) shredded Cheddar cheese; 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened; 1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic; 1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, if desired; 3 tablespoons poppy seeds; 2 black pitted olives; Red bell pepper, cut into pieces; 4 pretzel rods; Crackers; Assorted cut-up vegetables

13 ingredients

15 steps

Ingredients

1/2 cup thick and chunky salsa
1/4 cup sliced green onions
2 tablespoons Land O Lakes Butter, softened
6 ounces (1 1/2 cups) shredded Cheddar cheese
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 teaspoon finely chopped fresh garlic
1/8 teaspoon hot pepper sauce, if desired
3 tablespoons poppy seeds
2 black pitted olives
Red bell pepper, cut into pieces
4 pretzel rods
Crackers
Assorted cut-up vegetables

Directions

1

Combine all cheese ball ingredients in bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy.
2

Cover; refrigerate 1 hour.
3

Reserve 2 tablespoons cheese mixture for legs.
4

Shape 1/2 cup cheese mixture into ball for spider head.
5

Shape remaining mixture into round spider body.
6

Place poppy seed into large shallow dish.
7

Roll cheese balls in poppy seed, pressing seeds onto balls to coat.
8

Place onto large plate or platter to form spider.
9

Place black olive and red pepper piece onto toothpick.
10

Insert into spiders head for eye.
11

Repeat for other eye.
12

Place red pepper piece for mouth.
13

Cover; refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
14

Just before serving, attach legs by breaking each pretzel rod in thirds.
15

Insert 3 pieces into each side of body; use reserved cheese mixture to attach remaining pretzel piece to form bent legs.