APPLE CHEESE BALL

Apple Cheese Ball

8 ounces white Cheddar cheese, shredded
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon red pepper (optional)
Paprika
1 (1 1/2 inch) cinnamon stick
1 bay leaf

Process first 4 ingredients in a food processor until smooth. Chill 30 minutes.

Shape into a ball; make an indentation in top to resemble an apple. Chill ball 30 minutes.

Coat ball heavily with paprika. Cover and chill for 1 hour. Insert cinnamon stick and bay leaf into indentation to resemble apple stem and leaf. Serve with crackers.

Makes 10 to 12 appetizer servings.