Ritz Cheezy Football

Here's another "cheeseball w/bacon" recipe from Kraftfoods.com (exact link: http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/recipedetail.htm?recipe_id=90952 ). I haven't tried this one yet, but it sounds interesting. I don't plan on shaping it into a football though. I'm just going to make it into a big cheese ball or two.

Prep Time: 15 min
Total Time: 5 hr 15 min
Makes: 16 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 5 crackers each

Ingredients:

1. 2 pkg. (8 oz. each) PHILADELPHIA Cream Cheese, softened
   
2. 1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese
   
3. 1/2 cup KRAFT 100% Grated Parmesan Cheese
   
4. 1/2 cup MIRACLE WHIP Dressing
   
5. 1/4 cup chopped green onions
   
6. 1/4 tsp. black pepper
   
7. 1 pkg. (3 oz.) OSCAR MAYER Real Bacon Bits
   
8. pimientos or roasted red pepper strips (optional)
   
9. RITZ Crackers

Beat cheeses and dressing in medium bowl with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended.

Add onions and black pepper; mix well. Cover. Refrigerate several hours or until chilled.

Place on serving plate; form into football shape. Sprinkle evenly with bacon bits. Add pimento strips for "lacing." Serve with the crackers.

**Refer to original website for substitution tips.**

Mini Cheese Balls

This is from KraftFoods.com (the exact link is: http://www.kraftfoods.com/kf/recipes/recipedetail.htm?recipe_id=89886 ). I haven't tried it yet. It sounds very good though! I was searching for a cheese ball recipe with bacon in it.

Prep Time: 10 min
Total Time: 2 hr 10 min
Makes: 18 servings, 3 cheese balls each

Ingredients:

1. 1 tub (8 oz.) PHILADELPHIA Chive & Onion Cream Cheese Spread
2. 1 pkg. (8 oz.) KRAFT Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
3. 4 slices OSCAR MAYER Bacon, cooked, finely chopped
4. 1/2 tsp. Italian seasoning
5. 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
6. 1/2 cup toasted PLANTERS Walnuts, ground

Mix cream cheese spread and mozzarella cheese until well blended. Stir in chopped bacon and seasonings.

Shape mixture into 54 balls, 1 level tsp. each. Roll in walnuts. Cover with plastic wrap.

Refridgerate at least 2 hours.

**Refer to their website for nutritional information, substitution tips, & freezing tips.**

Bacon and Cheese muffins

This was always part of our Christmas dinner at home growing up. This recipe came from my mother. :)

Ingredients:

1. 1 3/4 cups plain flour
2. 1/3 cup sugar
3. 2 tsp. baking powder
4. 1 beaten egg
5. 3/4 cup milk
6. 1/4 cup cooking oil
7. 1/2 shredded cheddar cheese
8. bacon to taste (about 6 strips for me)

Directions:

1. In a mixing bowl combine flour,sugar,baking powder and cheese. Make a well in the center.
2. Combine the egg,milk,and oil: add all at once to the flour mix. Stir just til moistened (batter should be lumpy).
3. Lightly grease muffin tins,or use Pam cooking spray, or either use paper muffin cups. Fill 2/3 full.
4. Bake @ 400 degrees about 20 min or until golden brown.

Tip: These are great to make a few batches ahead (and freeze) and heat up for breakfast on busy mornings. I have tried chopping the bacon and cheese in the food processor, but the finished product has more flavor when you hand break up the bacon and shred the cheese since you end up with bigger pieces. I also add another 1/4 cup of cheese to the recipe because we are cheese lovers here in this house! he he.

Sausage Balls

This is also always part of our Christmas breakfast at my mother's house. Thanks mom for the recipe!

Ingredients:

1. 1 lb of sausage
2. 1/2 lb-(8 oz) cheddar cheese
3. 3 cups of baking mix
   

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together thoroughly.

Form ball and place on cookie sheet.

Bake @ 350 degrees until golden brown, approx 8-10 min. My recipe does not actually give the amount of minutes.