Spice up the holiday season with this jalapeno popper cheese ball recipe

When we start to brainstorm what we might make for the next spate of holiday parties, our brains tend to slide toward cookies and cakes. But while this festive season is always made sweeter with some delicious baked goods, something savory is sometimes the only thing that will hit the spot.

The best way to kick off a holiday party feast is to have an appetizer that gets people talking. And while you might consider cheese balls to be ho-hum, we think this jalapeno popper cheese ball recipe will surprise you — and every other guest at that party.

Beth Pierce of Small Town Woman shared this showstopping recipe, which brings together everything we love about jalapeno popper appetizers without all the fuss of stuffing and frying. This cheese ball centerpiece blends smooth cream cheese, sharp cheddar cheese, smoky bacon and, of course, spicy peppers to create an appetizer that isn’t only mouth-watering, but which also looks super impressive:

Ingredients for the jalapeno popper cheese ball couldn’t be easier to find. All you need is cream cheese, sour cream, garlic and onion powder, pepper, shredded cheddar, bacon, jalapenos, and scallions. You know. All that stuff that makes your mouth water.

Other than crisping the bacon, no cooking is necessary to make this appealing appetizer. You’ll just need a mixer to bring together all of these ingredients in a snap.

The recipe only takes 15 minutes to whip up once the bacon is cooked. Pierce points out the importance of allowing the finished cheese ball to chill for 24 hours. This gives it a chance to firm up properly and also allows the flavors to blend together well.

Serve the jalapeno popper cheese ball with your favorite crackers and watch it disappear from the holiday buffet table quicker than a snowball on a warm day!