Cranberry Blue-Cheese Ball

4 ounces sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
4 ounces crumbled blue cheese
6 ounce bag sweetened dried cranberries

Roughly chop dried cranberries.

Place all ingredients in a large bowl. With clean hands, mix and shape into a ball (or 2 smaller balls).

Wrap in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.

Bacon Cheddar Cheese Ball

Tell me-- is there anything out there that doesn't taste delicious with bacon? Just the word makes me want to drop everything and eat. So, I was pleasantly surprised when I went home to Florida for Thanksgiving this year to find a beautiful sphere of cheeses and bacon, accompanied with miniature toasty bites of bagel chips. This recipe is the perfect substitute for boring slabs of cheese and takes just a little longer to make than slicing squares of white and yellow from a ziplock plastic package. Trust me, this will be the new party favorite!

16 ounces cream cheese - softened

½ pound grated sharp cheddar cheese

½ cup chopped green onions

8 slices bacon – cooked and crumbled

½ tsp garlic powder or 1 clove garlic minced

3 tablespoons pimiento – minced

3 tablespoons parsley - minced

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl and blend well. The best tool for blending is clean hands.

Form into 1 or 2 balls and wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours or even better, overnight.

Serve with crackers, pita bread wedges or bagel slices.