Not Your Average Cheese Ball

There are a few things that get me super excited (besides Auburn football, of course). One of those things being FALL! While this recipe might not taste like apples, cinnamon, pumpkin, or a smoked meat; it LOOKS like a pumpkin and is made of cheese. (If you are like me, I would live off of cheese if I could). Whether you are making the trek to AU this weekend to watch the Tigers take on the Razorbacks, or staying at home to catch the game on tv; add some festivity to your snacks with this White Pumpkin Cheeseball!

The Great White Pumpkin Cheeseball

• 2 (10-oz.) blocks extra-sharp white Cheddar cheese, shredded*
• 1 8-oz.) package cream cheese, softened 
• 2 (4-oz.) goat cheese logs, softened
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• Braided pretzel, muscadine vine and leaf  (for pumpkin stem and leaf)
• Crackers and assorted vegetables

1. Stir together first 4 ingredients. Shape mixture into a ball to resemble a pumpkin. Smooth pumpkin's entire surface with metal spatula or table knife. Make vertical grooves in ball, if desired, using fingertips. Press pretzel into top of cheese ball to resemble a pumpkin stem; place muscadine vine and leaf beside pretzel. Serve with crackers and assorted vegetables.
2. *Extra-sharp Cheddar cheese may be substituted.
3. (Recipe and picture from Southern Living)