Thursday, July 7, 2011

Pecan Caramel Apple Cheese Ball




Pecan Caramel Cheese Ball
A dessert that's serves like an appetizer!





Years ago, my sweet sister Susan
called and said she had an amazing 
"cheese ball" recipe to share.

Oh.....?
I hate to admit it, but my first reaction was 
no thank you

(When I think of a cheese ball, I think of one 
of those stinky old smelly things from H. Farms
covered in nuts, with a smoked cheese whiz-ish interior!) 
Ugh...not my thing!
(So sorry Mr. Hickory --- if you are reading this.)

But when she explained it to me....
I quickly realized that this was 
no
ordinary cheese ball. 

So here's the recipe...
super easy and just a few ingredients.
Meets my high standards! 







INGREDIENTS
3-4 medium Granny Smith apples
(seeded, cored and sliced thin)
1.5  bricks of Philly cream cheese, softened
1 Tbl. cinnamon
1/2 C. brown sugar
1 C. chopped pecans (oops, not pictured!)
1 squeeze bottle caramel sundae topping 








1). In a bowl mix softened cheese,
cinnamon, and brown sugar until smooth
and color is even.




2.) Place mixture in refrigerator to firm up
slightly for 15-20 minutes.

3.) Once mixture is a little more solid,
scoop all the mixture on a piece of
plastic wrap and form into a ball.
Wrap in plastic and re-refrigerate until
ready to serve.



4). When ready to serve, roll the ball
into the crushed pecans. Place on the center of
a serving platter or plate and neatly arrange apple
slices in a circle around the nut-covered ball.

OPTIONAL: you can form ball into an apple shape
and you can also add an apple stem.



5). Generously pour the
 caramel sundae topping
over the cheese ball
to coat it completely and serve.



(See little apple stem in top center of apple shape?)


Tastes like a caramel pecan cheese cake 
served on a tart crunchy green apple.
LOVE it!



(Pay no attention to the apples that turned brown in an instant! Next time ... lemon bath.)




WARNING: May be addictive.


Enjoy

Let me know if you try it
and how you like it?




I shared my most favorite appetizer recipe
a couple months ago and many of you made
it and let me know how much you enjoyed it.
Thanks for that! To find that appetizer
recipe again, just click




Perfect when a big dessert is too much after a large meal.




Thanks for stopping by today.



24 comments:

Yvonne@StyleBurb said...

I have had a very similar version of this 'cheese ball' before and you are so right- it's addictive! My sister-in-law makes it as a dip and serves it closer to room temperature. So good!

Stitchfork said...

Appetizer - nope! I could eat this as my WHOLE meal!!
xo Cathy

Okie Chic said...

Sounds yummy!!! Love it this would be a great fall desert too. I'm always trying to figure out what to do with all the fall apples. Love it.

Blondie's Journal said...

This looks SO good and pretty, too. I wanted to tell you that I made your appetizer with the goat cheese, red pepper and pesto. It has been a hit every time I make it! Thanks!

XO,
Jane

Brenda Pruitt said...

Oh, this sounds and looks delicious! I must check out your Dexter post. There are only a couple of shows I will watch on TV. But Dexter is one of them.
Brenda

Richard Cottrell said...

I am going to a carry in party this weekend and I am gona make this. I usually take ,"old Faithful", but this might be fun for a change. Olive Ball. I 8 on. cream cheese softened. i/2 cup Mayo. I1 small jar chopped olives, drained. ^ green onions chopped fine. 1/2 cup chopped peacans. Mix all together and chill. Can form into a ball or spread in a dish. Serve with party crackers. It is always a big hit. I some time adds more mayo, and make it thinner, leave out the peacans and spread it on white bread with the crust off for tea sandwiches. Either way it is wonderful. RC at My Old Historic House

Glenna said...

Definitely will try this! Yummy!

Richard Cottrell said...

Type-o's. 6 green onions
Gona- my way of saying- going to.
adds- just bad grammer, hay I grew up in the country!

Babs said...

Oh my!Alison! That looks soooo good. I'm not a huge cheese ball fan either, but this sounds fabulous. I'm copying the recipe to keep for later. I know if I make it I'll eat the whole thing... well maybe half.
Thanks a lot.
Hugs,
Babs

Alison @ The Polohouse said...

Hey Richard!
Thanks for sharing YOUR cheese ball recipe with us!
Will try that one too.
xx
Alison

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

That looks really good, Alison. I love anything with caramel or cinnamon.

Judy said...

I wish I had some of that right now....I think I'll have to make one of those this weekend.

Thanks!
Judy

Anonymous said...

That would make a good snack for me. I need to eat more fruit, but prefer it with some kind of dip or something. However, I'd have to use walnuts since I'm allergic to pecans. Used to love pecans, so I bet the recipe is really great the way you made it.

Pinky at Designs by Pinky said...

OMGoodness, I can tell this would be addictive for me!!!! I eat an apple every day and this would be SOOOO good with it! Thanks so much for the recipe! I WILL try it! XO, Pinky

Karen said...

Oh my gosh, I think we are going to have to make that for some "snacking on food" while we're up here at the lake! Thanks!
Karen

Anonymous said...

that looks so good! :)

Sandy and Joe/rhubarb reign said...

Yum! Sounds great. Thanks for helping with the globes. Will look forward to seeing you at the show. xo

designchic said...

This looks amazing...may try for an appetizer tonight!! Thrilled to find and follow your blog this morning ~

Mikey Fuller said...

I LOVE this stuff! Thanks for the receipe. I have to make this SOON!

Justine of SewCountryChick said...

I think I will make this to bring to a cocktail party. Thanks!

michele said...

yum! i have only made the caramel apple dip. this is more fun. i can't believe i haven't made that other appetizer yet! thx for hte reminder...maybe sunday.

hugs.

michele

The enchanted home said...

OMG That looks ridiculously good. Just copied down the recipe and with the apple wedges, its soo pretty!! Found you through French Tangerine....wonderful! Am a new follower:)

Upscale Downhome said...

Love this idea. My boys love that caramel dip in the grocery store and this is the prettier, better version. Great and easy for entertaining. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

I made this for my Christmas party at work. Everybody raved about it and wanted the recipe. I will definitely make this again and again! It was amazing! Thanks. :)