Apple Cheese Ball

This is a fun version of the traditional cheese ball, sure to be a crowd-pleaser!






Yield: 10 to 12 appetizer servings



Ingredients:
8 ounces white Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper
Paprika
1 1/2-inch cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf



Process first 4 ingredients in a food processor until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides. Chill 30 minutes.
Shape cheese mixture into a ball, and make an indentation in the top to resemble an apple. Chill ball 30 minutes.
Coat ball heavily with paprika; cover and chill 1 hour.
Insert cinnamon stick and bay leaf into indentation to resemble apple stem and leaf. Serve with assorted crackers.