Bacon Pineapple Cheese Ball

Entertaining, parties, pot luck, appetizers, FOOD.... all seem to be words that describe this time of year. From the company party to the "family get together's",  we are always looking for the "right" thing that will bring people back to the "food" table looking for seconds.. This Bacon Pineapple Cheese Ball will do the trick for sure. Its the sweet/salty/ smokey taste that got me wanting "just another bite", another cracker, another ANYTHING...it's a dandy and scores a big "10" on my taste scale!

Bacon Pineapple Cheese Ball

1 1/2 packages cream cheese, softened

1/2 can (regular size) crushed pineapple, WELL DRAINED

3 T. powdered sugar

1/2 c. cooked, crumbled bacon (not imitation bacon bits...the REAL stuff!)

1 c. chopped walnuts

Combine cream cheese, pineapple, powdered sugar and bacon. Stir with an electric mixer until well combined. Set aside. Place a LARGE piece of saran wrap (any plastic wrap will do) on the counter. "Plop" (I know, such a "correct" cooking term) the cream cheese mixture in the middle of saran wrap. Bring the sides up around the mixture to form a ball. Wrap gently, keeping the "ball" form and place in a bowl (yes, with saran wrap STILL on it). Refrigerate for 1 hour or until ball is relatively firm...it won't be hard, 

but it will be firm-ish. Remove from refrigerator, remove plastic wrap (gently as to NOT disturb your "ball" form). Place chopped nuts on a plate or in a pie tin. Roll ball in chopped walnuts...pat them on if needed, to keep the ball shape. serve with crackers...my favorite were the wheat thins and the club crackers...but any of your favorites will do. 

Julie~