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Spooky Mummy Cheese Ball with Easy Pretzel Sticks

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A creamy, savory cheese ball shaped like a mummy with pretzel stick bandages and legs, perfect for Halloween parties. Quick to make with simple ingredients, it’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer that looks impressive but requires minimal effort.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 16 ounces cream cheese (two 8-ounce blocks), softened to room temperature
  • 2 cups (about 8 ounces) shredded sharp or medium cheddar cheese
  • 1 packet (1 ounce) ranch seasoning mix
  • ½ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ½ teaspoon onion powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt, or to taste
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 bag (10-12 ounces) pretzel sticks
  • 2 whole black olives, sliced into rounds
  • Fresh parsley or chives, finely chopped (optional, for garnish)

Instructions

  1. Soften the cream cheese: Take both blocks of cream cheese out of the fridge about 1-2 hours before starting. You want it at room temperature—soft enough to easily press a finger into it. If short on time, microwave in 10-second bursts, flipping the block over each time, until softened but not melted.
  2. Mix the cheese base: In a large mixing bowl, add the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar, ranch seasoning mix, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and black pepper. Use a hand mixer on medium speed (or a sturdy spatula) to combine until smooth and well-blended, about 2-3 minutes with a mixer or 5-6 minutes by hand. Scrape down the sides of the bowl halfway through.
  3. Taste and adjust: Taste the cheese mixture and adjust seasoning as needed. Remember that pretzel sticks are salty, so keep the cheese ball on the milder side if desired.
  4. Shape into a ball: Lay out a large piece of plastic wrap on the counter. Scoop the cheese mixture into the center of the plastic wrap. Gather the edges of the wrap and twist them together at the top, forming the cheese into a rough ball shape. Using your hands through the plastic wrap, gently squeeze and mold it into a smooth, round ball about 4-5 inches in diameter.
  5. Chill the cheese ball: Place the wrapped cheese ball on a baking sheet or plate and refrigerate for at least 2 hours, or up to overnight. For a quicker option, freeze for 1 hour, checking after 30 minutes to ensure it doesn’t freeze solid.
  6. Prepare the ‘bandages’ and legs: While the cheese ball chills, select 6-8 straight, unbroken pretzel sticks for the legs. Set aside the remaining pretzel sticks (about 12-15) for the bandages.
  7. Unwrap and smooth: After chilling, remove the cheese ball from the fridge and unwrap it. Place it on a serving platter. If the surface is lumpy, use a clean, dry spatula or lightly wet hands to smooth it into a nice round shape.
  8. Create the mummy face: Press two black olive slices gently into the top half of the cheese ball to form the mummy’s eyes, spacing them about an inch apart.
  9. Wrap the bandages: Starting from the top, gently press a pretzel stick into the cheese ball, partially embedding it. Continue adding more pretzel sticks, overlapping them slightly, working your way down the cheese ball. Leave small gaps of cheese showing through for texture. Use about 12-15 pretzel sticks for the bandages.
  10. Add the legs: Insert the remaining 6-8 pretzel sticks into the bottom of the cheese ball, spacing them evenly to look like mummy legs. Insert them about ½ inch deep to stay secure.
  11. Garnish and serve: If using, sprinkle fresh parsley or chives around the base of the cheese ball. Serve immediately with extra pretzel sticks, crackers, or vegetable sticks for dipping. Let the cheese ball sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes if refrigerated for best spreading consistency.

Notes

Chilling is crucial for the cheese ball to hold its shape when adding pretzel bandages. For best results, make the cheese ball a day ahead and add pretzels just before serving. Pretzel sticks will soften over time, so add them no more than 1-2 hours before serving. Leftover cheese ball (without pretzels) can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 1 month.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween appetizer, mummy cheese ball, pretzel sticks, cream cheese, cheddar, party food, spooky snack

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/spooky-mummy-cheese-ball-with-easy-pretzel-sticks/