CHEF JEFF — ONE BYTE AT A TIME: Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

Go! Eat! Win!

Tailgating season is here, and along with it comes loads of ideas about what to cook before the big game.

Here’s an interesting recipe that’s sure to score a touchdown with children and adults alike.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

¾ cup confectioners’ sugar

½ cup butter, softened

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

¾ cup miniature chocolate morsels

¾ cup finely chopped pecans, divided

Graham crackers, butter cookies or pretzels

In a bowl, combine cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, butter, brown sugar and vanilla, beating with an electric mixer until smooth.

Add chocolate morsels and ½ cup pecans. Refrigerate until firm, about 2 hours.

Shape mixture into a ball and roll in remaining ¼ cup pecans. Serve with graham crackers, butter cookies or pretzels.

Yield: Serves 8 to 12.

Grab more food tidbits at the Chef Jeff blog at

GrandForksHerald.com.

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