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Pigskin Cheese Ball This fun recipe comes from a  cookbook that one of my son's gave me for Christmas, called Great Balls of Cheese. If you need a cheese ball to take to a Super Bowl party, this would be a great one.  I think my bloggy buddy, Lynn, at Happier Than A Pig In Mud  will love this one!

1 1/2 pounds of sliced bacon
1 medium jalapeño, cored, seeded, and finely chopped
16 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup shredded sharp white cheddar cheese, plus some for decorating
1 T. chopped scallions

Crackers for serving

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees. Lay the bacon slices in a single layer on 2 baking sheets that have sides. Bake until crispy, about 15-20 minutes. Drain the bacon on paper towels and let cool. Reserve 2 T.  of the bacon grease and save or discard the rest.  Coarsely chop the bacon, when cool and set aside.

Cook the jalapeño in the reserved bacon grease in a small skillet over medium heat until soft, about 5 minutes. Using a mixer, mix together 1 cup of the chopped bacon, the sautéed jalapeño, cream cheese, 1 cup of the cheddar, and the scallions until combined.

Form the mixture into a ball and cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight.

Before serving, form the mixture into an oblong football shape and roll in the remaining chopped bacon to coat. Decorate the top of the football cheese ball with some pieces of cheese to resemble laces.  ( I actually used some string cheese for this part).

Serves 15-20

NOTE:  I made half of the recipe and it was plenty for a crowd!
