8 ounces cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, finely shredded
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon onion powder
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
6 slices turkey bacon, cooked until crispy and finely crumbled
1/4 cup fresh chives, finely chopped
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, finely chopped
12 pretzel sticks, for serving
Instructions
In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, and black pepper. Use a sturdy spatula or a hand mixer on low speed to blend everything together until the mixture is smooth and the spices are evenly distributed. Ensure the cream cheese is truly at room temperature to avoid any lumps in your mixture.
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is crucial because it allows the cheese to firm up, making it much easier to handle and roll into uniform shapes without sticking to your hands. If you are in a hurry, 15 minutes in the freezer can also do the trick.
While the cheese is chilling, prepare your coating station. On a large plate or in a shallow bowl, mix together the crumbled turkey bacon, chopped chives, and chopped nuts. Stir them gently so the colors are well mixed, creating a beautiful mosaic of red, green, and brown that looks wonderful for a Christmas display.
Scoop out about one tablespoon of the chilled cheese mixture at a time. Roll it between your palms to form a small ball about one inch in diameter. Immediately roll the ball into the turkey bacon and chive mixture, pressing gently so the coating adheres to the entire surface. Repeat this process until all the cheese mixture is used.
Place the finished balls on a serving tray. Just before you are ready to serve them to your guests, poke a pretzel stick into the center of each ball. This acts as a convenient edible handle and adds a nice salty crunch to every bite.
