Spider Cheese Ball Recipes

SPIDER CHEESE BALLS

Steps:

• Combine cream cheese, Italian seasoning and 1/2 cup shredded cheese.
• Shape into 24 balls, using 2 Tbsp. cheese mixture for each. Roll in remaining shredded cheese.
• Top crackers with cheese balls. Decorate each cheese ball to resemble spider, using noodles for legs and currants for eyes.

CHEESY SPIDER DIP

Steps:

• In a stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, Cheddar, Monterey Jack cheese, butter, salsa and some salt and pepper and beat until smooth. Alternatively, mix all the ingredients in a large bowl with a spoon. Reserve 1/3 cup of the dip and wrap in plastic wrap.
• Make 2 balls with the remaining dip, one twice as big as the other, wrap in plastic, and shape into balls. Refrigerate all three portions of the cheese until hardened and cold, 2 to 3 hours.
• Unwrap the two balls and coat in the crushed tortilla chips. Place on a platter directly next to each other and make eyes in the smaller ball with 2 olives. To make the legs, arrange 8 green beans to stick out of the "spider's" side, then place a small ball made out of the reserved 1/3 cup dip on the end of each bean and connect another bean to each ball to make long legs.
• Serve with vegetables, crackers or tortilla chips.

SPIDER CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Combine all cheese ball ingredients in bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Cover; refrigerate 1 hour.
• Reserve 2 tablespoons cheese mixture for legs.
• Shape 1/2 cup cheese mixture into ball for spider head. Shape remaining mixture into round spider body. Place poppy seed into large shallow dish. Roll cheese balls in poppy seed, pressing seeds onto balls to coat. Place onto large plate or platter to form spider. Place black olive and red pepper piece onto toothpick. Insert into spider's head for eye. Repeat for other eye. Place red pepper piece for mouth. Cover; refrigerate at least 4 hours or overnight.
• Just before serving, attach legs by breaking each pretzel rod in thirds. Insert 3 pieces into each side of body; use reserved cheese mixture to attach remaining pretzel piece to form bent legs.
• Serve with assorted crackers and vegetables.