It’s the season of baking and whipping up lots of holiday treats. You just gotta have a cheese ball of some kind during the holidays, right? I never really stray from my traditional family cheese ball, but this year I thought I would try something different. I have friends who are crazy bacon lovers, so this will be something they will get to enjoy. (you know who you are!)

Who doesn’t like bacon! Oh, and cheese! Holy crap this is a good cheese ball. You can of course be creative and add different things, but I seriously recommend you trying this recipe.

I rolled mine in nuts, but I bet it would be soooooooooo good to roll it in crispy bacon crumbs. I bet my bacon loving friend Carolyn is drooling right about now.

I also added some heat…..chopped serrano peppers. OHHHHHHH, hotsy totsy and yummy.

Get some good crackers, some good wine……you’re all set!

Bacon Cheeseball

2 blocks of softened cream cheese (8 oz blocks)
1 1/2 cups grated cheddar cheese
5 or 6 slices of cooked and crumbled bacon
3 green onions, sliced thin
2 tsp Ranch seasoning
3 cups chopped and roasted walnuts (you can use almonds or pecans too)
1 large serrano or jalapeno pepper, minced (optional)
1/2 cup crushed pineapple (drained well) dried cranberries would work well too, but it’s just as good without the fruit

In a large mixing bowl, mix together everything but the nuts. Shape into balls or a log. Carefully roll it in the nuts, covering the entire outside surface. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill for at least 2 hours to let all the flavors come together.