Whether it’s for tailgating or hosting a party, this dip is the perfect fall recipe! Shape it as a cheese ball for a cold appetizer or bake it for an over-the-top cheesy dip!
It’s Finally Fall…sort of
I say sort of as I don’t think Mother Nature got the memo yet here in Arizona as I sit here reading the outside temp peak at 105F. Yeah, I’m done with heat thank you very much.
But Football season is here which means game days, tailgating, homegating, and all of the yummy foods! This dish – yeah, you’re gonna want to make this for every event this season!
Grab Your Ingredients
The star of this dish may not be a usual suspect for you. For me, yeah’s a given. Musselman’s Apple Butter is seriously the star of this dish! Now this post isn’t sponsored but it is on Instagram. However, this was so amazing I HAD to share it on my website!
- Musselman’s Apple Butter
- Dairy – cream cheese and Colby Jack
- Veggies – caramelized onions and green onions
- Bacon
- Seasonings – BBQ and Parsley
- Pecans
Mix It Up
You can most certainly mix this up with a hand or stand mixer but since the cream cheese was so soft I just mixed it by hand.
- To a bowl, add the cream cheese, apple butter, bacon, green onions, caramelized onions, and BBQ seasoning. Mix to combine.
- Add the cheese and mix.
Perfect Hot Or Cold
At this stage you get to decide, do you want to shape it into a cheese ball or do you want to bake it? Either way, the cheesy bacon pecan topping gets added now.
- For the topping, add the cheese, bacon, toasted pecans, and dried parsley, and mix to combine.
This recipe can go 2 ways – hot or cold. I’ll include both directions in the recipe card below. You can shape this like a cheese ball and serve it cold OR you can bake it up in a baking dish and serve it hot. Both ways can be served with crostini, veggies, and crackers.
How To Shape A Cheese Ball
- With damp hands, shape the mixture into that classic cheese ball shape. Plate and then sprinkle on the topping. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving.
How To Serve Hot
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Place the mixture into a heat-safe baking dish, add the topping, and bake for 14-18 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the mixture is warmed all the way through.
What To Serve With This Easy Cheesy Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip with Apple Butter
Well, my first response is a spoon but that’s only if it’s just for you and no one else.
- Crostini
- Crunchy Veggies – carrots, celery
- Fruits – apple slices or pears
- Crackers
Other Serving Suggestions
Now THIS is the part I love about my posts!
- Condiment – instead of mayo/mustard or a different condiment in a sandwich or wrap, add this instead! This is incredible with roasted chicken and turkey in a wrap!
- Stuffed – stuff dates with this!
- Chicken or Pork – add this to thinly pounded meat, roll it up like roulade, and bake!
- Wontons – add this mixture to wonton wrappers and fry for a delicious little appetizer!
Easy Cheesy Caramelized Onion and Bacon Dip with Apple Butter
Whether it’s for tailgating or hosting a party, this dip is the perfect fall recipe! Shape it as a cheese ball for a cold appetizer or bake it for an over-the-top cheesy dip!
Ingredients
Cheese ball Dip
- 12 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (full fat)
- 1/4 cup Musselman’s Apple Butter
- 1/2 cup caramelized onions
- 1/2 cup cooked bacon, chopped small
- 2 green onions, chopped small
- 1 1/2 cups shredded Colby Jack
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons BBQ Seasoning
Topping
- 1/2 cup shredded Colby Jack
- 1/4 cup cooked bacon, chopped small
- 1/4 cup toasted chopped pecans
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
Instructions
Make the Cheese ball dip
- In a bowl, add the very soft cream cheese, Musselman’s Apple Butter, bacon, green onions, caramelized onions, and BBQ seasoning. Mix until smooth and creamy.
- Add in half of the cheese, gently mix, and add the remaining cheese until all incorporated.
Make the Topping
- In a bowl, add all of the topping ingredients and mix together
Cheese ball (Cold)
- With damp hands, shape the mixture into that classic cheese ball shape. Plate and then sprinkle on the topping. Cover in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least one hour before serving
Heated
- Preheat the oven to 400F. Place the mixture into a heat-safe baking dish, add the topping, and bake for 14-18 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the mixture is warmed all the way through.
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