Cheesy “Spider”

For a recent party with friends I made this cheese ball. Fun for any Halloween party and easy to make. I started with extra sharp cheddar, a little feta and cream cheese. I rolled the cheese ball in chopped nuts and black sesame seeds and chilled it. I made the “legs” out of strips of puff pastry. I used homemade puff pastry, but store bought is perfectly fine. I cut out 9 strips- allowing for breakage- and folded each strip into a v shape. They were baked until crisp and set aside. Everything can be made a day or two ahead. Then, just assemble when ready to serve. I had some extra pastry dough so I cut it out with a small pumpkin shaped cookie cutter, baked the m, and served with the cheese ball.

Everyone loved the spider and I would certainly make this one again. Fun for adults or kids.

“Spider” Cheese Ball

1 sheet puff pastry

12 oz. sharp cheddar

8 oz. cream cheese

3 oz. feta cheese

Fine chopped nuts and black sesame seeds

2 candy eyes, optional

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Roll out puff pastry and cut 9-10 (1/2 inch wide) strips. Bend strips into v-shapes. I made a couple extra to allow for breakage. Place on an ungreased baking sheet and bake until light brown, about 8 -10 minutes. Set aside. In medium bowl, combine the cheeses and farm into a ball. On a plate or in a shallow dish place finely chopped nuts and seeds. I had just over ½ cup total. Roll ball around to coat evenly, lightly pressing seed mixture in to the cheese ball. Wrap in plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve. When ready to serve, place cheese ball on a serving platter.  Starting at the back of the cheese ball gently press one end of a puff pastry strip to look like a spider leg. Repeat until the “spider” has 8 legs. Add eyes, if you are using them. Serve with crackers.     

Note: You should have leftover pastry. I cut mine into small pumpkin shapes. I baked them and served with the cheese ball.