Cheesenstein

Name: Cheesenstein
Prep time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 3 cups.
Ingredients: 2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened; 1/4 cup mayonnaise; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce; 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese; 6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled; 3 green onions, thinly sliced; 2 cartons (4 ounces each) whipped cream cheese; Moss-green paste food coloring; 1 can (4-1/4 ounces) chopped ripe olives, drained; 2 pepperoncini; 3 colossal ripe olives; 2 slices peeled parsnip; Black decorating gel; 1 pretzel rod; 1 small cucumber; Assorted fresh vegetables

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 45 min. + chilling YIELD: 3 cups.

This creamy, fun dip will be the hit of every Halloween party! I've done several variations of this cheese ball. My daughters really love it! —Nila Grahl, Gurnee, Illinois

Ingredients

2 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup mayonnaise
1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon hot pepper sauce
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
6 bacon strips, cooked and crumbled
3 green onions, thinly sliced
2 cartons (4 ounces each) whipped cream cheese
Moss-green paste food coloring
1 can (4-1/4 ounces) chopped ripe olives, drained
2 pepperoncini
3 colossal ripe olives
2 slices peeled parsnip
Black decorating gel
1 pretzel rod
1 small cucumber
Assorted fresh vegetables

Directions

1. In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce and pepper sauce until smooth. Stir in the cheddar cheese, bacon and onions. Shape into a 5x4x3-in. rectangle; wrap in plastic. Refrigerate until chilled.
2. Unwrap rectangle; place on a serving platter with a 3-in. side on top. Tint whipped cream cheese green; spread over top and sides of rectangle.
3. Add chopped ripe olives for hair and pepperoncinis for ears. Cut one colossal olive in half; add parsnip slices and olive halves for eyes. With black decorating gel, pipe the brow, mouth and stitches.
4. Break pretzel rod in half; add a colossal olive to each end. Press into sides of head for bolts. Cut a small piece from end of cucumber for a nose (save remaining cucumber for another use). Serve with vegetables.

Nutrition Facts

1/4 cup: 329 calories, 31g fat (17g saturated fat), 89mg cholesterol, 545mg sodium, 4g carbohydrate (1g sugars, 1g fiber), 9g protein.