Caramelized Garlic Cheese Ball

Ingredients

SPREAD

2 teaspoons Land O Lakes® Butter

2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh garlic

1 teaspoon sugar

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup Land O Lakes® Butter, softened

8 ounces (2 cups) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese

1/4 cup sliced green onions

1/4 teaspoon salt

COATING

1/2 cup finely crushed cheese-flavored bite-sized crackers

GARNISH

1 medium bell pepper with stem

CRACKERS/DIPPERS

Crackers

Fresh cut-up vegetables

How to make

1. STEP 1
   Melt 2 teaspoons butter in skillet until sizzling; add garlic and sugar. Cook over medium–high heat, stirring constantly, 3-5 minutes or until garlic just starts to brown. Immediately remove from heat.
2. STEP 2
   Combine garlic mixture and all remaining spread ingredients in bowl.
3. STEP 3
   Place crushed crackers into large shallow bowl or pie pan. Roll cheese ball into crackers; press evenly to coat. Place onto serving plate.
4. STEP 4
   Create stem for top of pumpkin from bell pepper slices.
5. STEP 5
   Cover; refrigerate 2 hours or overnight to blend flavors. Just before serving; score vertical lines on pumpkin with knife. Serve with crackers and vegetables.

Tip #1

- Cut remaining pepper into strips to serve with cheese spread.

Tip #2

- To crush crackers, place crackers into resealable plastic food bag. Use rolling pin to crush crackers.