We all know that many Hollywood movies are full of ‘cheesy’ lines and actors that like to ‘ham’ it up. Well, if you’re hosting an Oscar Viewing Party this year, why not add some ‘cheese’ and ‘ham’ (well, okay, actually bacon…but everyone loves bacon, right?) of your own?
Here is a recipe that will surely win the award for Best Appetizer:
Easy (and delicious) Cheese Ball
2 (8 ounce) packages Philly cream cheese, softened
1 (1 ounce) packet Hidden Valley Ranch dressing mix
2 1/2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1 cup real bacon bits
Assorted crackers, for serving
In a medium bowl, mash cream cheese and add dressing mix. Stir well. Add shredded cheddar and thoroughly mix. Shape the mixture into a ball and roll in bacon, pressing to adhere the bacon. Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate for several hours or overnight. Take out of refrigerator about 1 hour before serving. Enjoy!!
Some tips:
- Make sure you get the ranch ‘dressing mix’, NOT the ‘dip mix’. The dip mix is too salty.
- This is best the next day, so try to make it the night before.
- You can shape it into anything. We do a tree for Christmas (adding parsley to the bacon bits for rolling), an egg shape for Easter and a spider for Halloween. Be creative!
A funny, but true story about this cheese ball: I made one for my husband to take to work at Christmastime last year. Everyone devoured it. Several months later a couple of the guys from hubby’s work helped us move and when we went to pay them for helping, they asked if I would make them each a cheese ball instead of cash. It’s that good!!
RS Vacations - Big Bear Lake, CA 
Leave a Reply