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Halloween Spider Cheese Ball

This Halloween-themed cheese ball is made by combining tangy cream cheese with herbs, then shaping it into a rounded form. Decorated with olive and pretzel spiders, it creates a playful, textured centerpiece that combines creamy, crunchy, and savory elements for a fun party dish.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings: 8
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American
Calories: 250
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 16 oz cream cheese, softened leave at room temperature to soften
  • 1 tablespoon fresh herbs (e.g., parsley, chives), chopped for flavor and visual appeal
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika light sprinkle for color
  • 1 cup crushed crackers or pretzels for coating and decoration
  • 1/4 cup chopped black olives for spider bodies and legs
  • 12 stalks pretzels for spider legs
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice optional, for brightness

Equipment

  • Mixing bowl
  • Plastic wrap
  • Baking sheet
  • Oven
  • Small knife
  • Cutting board

Method
 

  1. Gather and soften the cream cheese in a mixing bowl, then stir in chopped herbs and a light sprinkle of paprika for flavor and color.
  2. Use a spatula to fold everything until smooth, then refrigerate the mixture for 10–15 minutes to help it firm up and relax.
  3. Once chilled, scoop the cheese mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap and shape it into a rounded ball—this will form the base of your spooky cheese ball.
  4. Wrap the cheese ball tightly and refrigerate for another 15 minutes to set its shape fully.
  5. Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it gently in crushed crackers or pretzels until evenly coated, creating a crusty outer layer.
  6. Use a small knife to cut black olives into small slices for the spiders’ bodies and legs.
  7. Insert chopped black olives into the top of the cheese ball for the spider’s body.
  8. Break pretzels into smaller strands to form spider legs and carefully insert them into the sides, radiating outwards for a creepy effect.
  9. Arrange more olive slices on top of the cheese ball to resemble the eyes of the spiders, placing them evenly for a playful yet spooky look.
  10. Refrigerate the decorated cheese ball for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors meld and the shapes set firmly.
  11. Serve your spooky Spider Cheese Ball with crispy crackers or vegetables for dipping, and enjoy the fun, creepy centerpiece!

Notes

Chill the cheese mixture thoroughly so it shapes easily. Use firm pretzels to keep the spiders' legs intact. For extra fun, decorate with additional edible eyes or seasonal accents.