Pumpkin Shaped Cheese Ball for Halloween or Thanksgiving
Aug 25, 2023 Updated Aug 01, 2024
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Whether you’re throwing a spooky soiree for Halloween, hosting Thanksgiving or celebrating the arrival of fall (good bye, summer heat!) at a friend’s, this pumpkin cheese ball is the perfect appetizer (just like my Pinecone Cheese Ball). With cheddar and cream cheese (and did I mention the adorable pumpkin shape!?), it goes with just about anything! Crackers, veggies, bread, pita chips, pretzels, you name it and it will taste good. You can also totally customize it to your flavor preferences (check out the list below), so make it for your next fall cheese board!
And if you love this pumpkin-shaped cheese ball, you’ll love my Puff Pastry Pumpkin Brie recipe.
Need other Halloween ideas? Try Halloween Cheese Board, Halloween Muffin Tin Board, and Halloween Candy Board. For more autumnal ideas, check out my Fall Harvest Salad, Elevated Fall Cheese Board, Fall Burrata Board, Fall Dessert Board, Whipped Burrata Dip, Thanksgiving Turkey Board, and Thanksgiving Snack Board.
How to Make a Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 2 (8-ounce) blocks cream cheese, room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated cheddar cheese, divided
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bell pepper, stem removed
Directions
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1 cup shredded cheese until thoroughly combined. (See below for more ingredient options!)
- Using your hands, shape the mixture into a ball, then coat in the remaining shredded cheese to cover the outside of the cheese ball.
- Transfer the mixture to a large piece of plastic wrap continuing to shape into a round ball.
- Wrap twine around the cheese ball four times (or use 4 large rubber bands) tightly around the wrapped cheese ball to shape into a pumpkin. Refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
- Remove the twine and plastic wrap.
- Press bell pepper stem into the top of the cheese ball where all the lines intersect.
Pro tip: To avoid food waste, slice your pepper and serve on the side to scoop up cheese! Yum.
Pumpkin Cheese Ball Video Tutorial
Other Cheese Ball Fillings
This recipe is pretty mild–perfect for kids (see it on my Cinderella Board), so if you want to add more flavor try some of these mix-ins:
- Crumbled bacon
- Chopped jalapeño
- Olives
- Garlic & parmesan
- Sliced scallions
- Lump crab meat
- Spinach & artichoke
- Chopped pimento
- Chopped chives
Show Me Your Cheese Balls
I hope this post inspires you to make this recipe. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the beautiful spreads and snacks you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share!
And, If you liked this recipe, please rate and review.
Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Ingredients
- 2 8oz blocks cream cheese room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups finely grated cheddar cheese divided
- Kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- 1 bell pepper stem removed
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, combine the cream cheese and 1 cup shredded cheese until thoroughly combined.
- Using your hands, shape the mixture into a ball, then coat in the remaining shredded cheese to cover the outside of the cheese ball.
- Transfer the mixture to a large piece of plastic wrap continuing to shape into a round ball.
- Wrap twine around the cheese ball four times (or use 4 large rubber bands) tightly around the wrapped cheese ball to shape into a pumpkin. Refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.
- Remove the twine and plastic wrap. Press bell pepper stem into the top of the cheese ball where all the lines intersect.
- If you want to add some more flavor, check out the mix-ins in the blog post!
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Love this!
Absolutely the cutest fall appetizer, and delicious too!
This is so perfect! I love the shape and the recipe is fantastic. Meg, you make it easy for everyone to serve beautiful and delicious food! Thank you!
Show stopper quality AND super easy! Only downside is that it needs to chill for a while, but it’s worth it. On the plus side – zero oven time. Incorporated into a Halloween and fall board and looked fab! 10/10 would recommend!
I made this today for Thanksgiving and it was a hit!! Everyone was impressed that it looked like a pumpkin. And it also tasted great. The flavors were simple and classic. Added a little garlic powder and onion powder and it was perfect!
Made this super easy pumpkin cheeseball for a girls dinner I hosted, it not only tasted fabulous but presented beautifully. Made me feel oh so crafty talented too!
Fantastic recipe and a highlight at the Halloween party!
Calls for ingredients in the list and video but doesn’t tell you how much or where to mix it in. Impossible to follow
Hi there, did you see the recipe instructions in the post at the bottom?
This was a big hit! Super cute and delicious!
Very easy to make ahead. Liked the suggested possible add ins.
This looks so festive and I can’t wait to serve it on Sunday! is it too early to make it Friday? And leave in the fridge until Sunday afternoon?
yay! Ideally I like making everything the day of or prior, but with this, I think you could go up to number 4 in the recipe directions and leave it in the plastic wrap and twine from friday to sunday, then open up and serve on sunday.
Thank you! Looks so cute!! Can’t wait to make this for my next get together!!
Thankyou! Looking forward to making this to take to Thanksgiving dinner this year.
Wahoo! let me know what you think. I always appreciate ratings on my recipes. I hope you love it! And be sure to check out the various flavor options above.
This cheese ball is taking fall to a whole new level. Cheese dip and I go way back, but never have I had more fun making something so festive and delicious. My kids can even make this!