Hedgehog Cheese ball

pecan studded cheese ball in shape of a hedgehog.

5 from 3 votes

This Hedgehog Cheese Ball is easy to make and will be a crowd pleaser at your next gathering. When it comes to party snacks, cheese balls are always a hit. This Hedgehog Cheese ball is no exception – it’s cute, fun to make, and tasty too!

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

chilling1

Total Time1 30

Course: Appetizers

Cuisine: American, Holiday

Servings:

Calories: 76kcal

Author: Kelly Bloom

Equipment

Ingredients

2 8 oz cream cheese packages
1¼ cups Cheddar cheese shredded
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 envelope Onion soup mix
2 tablespoon chives chopped
4 oz Bacon crumbles cooked & crumbled, or use Real Bacon Bits
½ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper ground
¼ teaspoon thyme dried or fresh leaves
1 cup pecan halves lightly toasted
2 raisins for eyes
1 black peppercorn for nose
6 rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spread some pecans onto a cookie sheet and set in the oven for 10 to 15 minutes to lightly toast the nuts. Remove pan and cool.
Set the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl out to soften up a bit. It will make mixing thing up easier. Pick out about 1 cups worth of toasted pecan halves, Set aside for decorating later.
In the mixing bowl with the softened cream cheese, add the bacon bits, Worcestershire sauce, onion soup mix, chives, and spices.
2 8 oz cream cheese, 1¼ cups Cheddar cheese, 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce, 1 envelope Onion soup mix, 2 tablespoon chives, 4 oz Bacon crumbles, ½ teaspoon paprika, ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper, ¼ teaspoon thyme
Using either a spatula or a hand mixer, blend all the ingredients in the bowl until evenly distributed. Scrape the sides of the bowl to combine all ingredients and to gather into a mass in the center of the bowl.
Scrape the cheese mixture onto a sheet of plastic wrap. Place another piece of plastic wrap on top also, and then start shaping the mixture into a oval teardrop shape. The smaller, pointy end will be the snout of the hedgehog. Cover with plastic wrap and chill for an hour.
Unwrap the hedgehog cheeseball onto a platter or serving board, making sure it's large enough to accommodate crackers or greenery.
Start pressing in the pecan halves in rows on the back of the cheese ball. Place the two raisins as eyeballs, and a large peppercorn as a nose.
Lay rosemary sprigs or other fresh herbs, to include small bits of evergreen and mini pine cones as decoration along side the cheese ball. Serve immediately.
1 cup pecan halves, 1 black peppercorn, 6 rosemary sprigs

Notes

You can refrigerate/freeze until ready to serve. If freezing, defrost in the refrigerator overnight first.
This recipe makes a pretty large hedgehog cheese ball. If you need a smaller serving, simply halve the recipe to use only one package of cream cheese.
Pecan halves, Walnut halves, and whole Almond are tastier in this cheese ball when they are lightly toasted first.