Creamy Ranch Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe - 2 Weight Watchers PointsPlus #SmarterTreats

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It won’t be long until you’re preparing a dish for your family Thanksgiving dinner, an appetizing side for your office holiday party with coworkers, or a delicious snack to munch on while ringing in the new year with friends.

If you’re like me, you have a handful of tried and true recipes that you know you can depend on. I’m always looking for recipes that are quick and easy to make because it seems like we’re constantly running behind now that we’re a family of three.

My Creamy Ranch Cheese Ball Appetizer recipe is always a hit with every crowd and it disappears quickly.

I was sponsored to write this post on behalf of Weight Watchers® and to share this tasty & easy recipe with you all.

 

 

The recipe only contains four simple ingredients: Weight Watchers whipped cream cheese spread, dry ranch dip mix, Weight Watchers colby jack cheese sticks, and chopped pecans.

 

 

I found the Weight Watchers products at Wal-Mart in the dairy section. I always feel good about substituting traditional foods with lower PointsPlus value foods—mostly so I can eat more. It’s just a smarter way to enjoy your treats.

 

 

There’s so little prep work involved that it makes this a great recipe for preparing at the last minute—and no one would ever know based on the beautiful appearance when completed!

 

 

As you can see in the photo above, you’ll need to chop the colby jack cheese sticks. The best way to do this is to cut the cheese stick in half length wise and then chop into small pieces after that.

 

Try not to taste test the flavorful cheese too much—those bites, licks, and tastes add up! I admit it, I had a few nibbles while preparing this. Yum!

The next step is to use a mixer to blend the whipped cream cheese with the ranch seasoning. Next, add the chopped colby cheese and mix it all together.

 

 

Place a sheet of parchment paper on a flat work surface and spread the chopped pecans across the paper. It’s important to do this now before things get messy in the next step.

 

 

Make sure your hands are good and clean for this step. Just a warning, it’s pretty messy. Roll the cheese mixture up into a ball as if you’re making a snowball.

 

 

Next roll the cheese ball across the chopped pecans, as if you are making a snowman, until it’s evenly covered in pecans.

 

 

And that’s it! Isn’t this pretty? It just screams “holiday food” to me—probably because it has become tradition in my family.

 

 

Serve it with a colorful platter of veggies and crackers. Perfect for everyone!

 

 

Creamy Ranch Cheese Ball Appetizer Recipe

Serves: about 40

Serving Size: 1 Tbs.

PointsPlus Per Serving: 2

 

 

Ingredients:

• 2 - 8 oz. containers of Weight Watchers whipped cream cheese spread
• 1 oz. envelope of ranch dip mix (unprepared)
• 12 Weight Watchers colby jack cheese sticks (chopped into small pieces)
• 1 cup chopped pecans

 

Directions:

1. Using a mixer, blend together the whipped cream cheese and ranch dip mix. Add the chopped colby jack cheese and mix.
2. Place a sheet of parchment paper on a flat work surface. Spread the chopped pecans across the paper.
3. Shape the cheese & ranch mixture into a ball.
4. Roll the cheese ball across the chopped pecans, as if you are making a snowman, until the entire ball is covered evenly in pecans.
5. Serve with fresh veggies or crackers. Enjoy!

 

 

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