Spiced Cherry Cheese Ball

Ingredients:

1 pkg. (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese Spread , softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) CRACKER BARREL Shredded Vermont Sharp White Cheddar Cheese
1/2 cup dried cherries, chopped
1/4 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1/2 cup finely chopped PLANTERS Pecans , toasted
RITZ Crackers

Method:

MIX cream cheese and cheddar until blended. Stir in cherries and spice.
SHAPE into log; wrap in plastic wrap. Refrigerate at least 2 hours.
ROLL in nuts just before serving. Serve with crackers.

Helpful Hints:

This would make a great gift, if you could stand to let it go.
time
prep: 15 min
total: 2 hr 15 min
servings total: 24 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 5 crackers each
Size-Wise Savor every bite of this tasty spread. Each 2-Tbsp. serving goes a long way on flavor.
Variations
Prepare as directed, using one of the following flavor options: Italian:
Substitute 1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese for the Cheddar, 1/4
cup sliced drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes for the cherries and 1/2 tsp.
each Italian seasoning and garlic powder for the pumpkin pie spice.
Smoky Bacon:
Omit pumpkin pie spice. Mix ingredients as directed, substituting 1 pkg. (8 oz.)
KRAFT Shredded Cheddar Cheese for the shredded CRACKER BARREL Cheese and 2 Tbsp.
OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits for the cherries. Stir in 2 sliced green onions, then shape into ball.
Herbed:
Omit pumpkin pie spice. Prepare as directed, substituting 1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese for the Cheddar and 1 clove minced garlic and 2 Tbsp.
each chopped fresh parsley, fresh basil and chives for the cherries.


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