- 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup MUSSELMAN'S® Apple Butter
- 1 tablespoon hot sauce
- 1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese
- 8 slices bacon, crisply cooked and crumbled
- 1 cup raw pecans, chopped
- 2 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, mix together the cream cheese, apple butter and hot sauce until smooth. Stir in the Cheddar and bacon until evenly mixed.
- Divide mixture in half and form each half into a ball. Chill both cheese balls in the fridge until firm.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Place the chopped pecans on an ungreased baking sheet and toss with the melted butter and salt. Bake for 8 minutes, tossing halfway through the baking time.
- Remove the pecans from the oven and let cool completely. Transfer to a cutting board and give them another rough chop.
- Roll the surface of the chilled cheese balls in the pecans right before serving. Serve with crackers.