Walnut-Crusted Pimiento Cheese Ball

1. 1

   Preheat oven to 350u00b0F. Spread walnuts evenly on a large baking sheet. Bake, stirring often, until lightly browned and fragrant, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely. Finely chop walnuts; cover and set aside.

2. 2

   Combine Cheddar, cream cheese and butter in a food processor. Pulse several times, scraping sides of bowl, until well blended and smooth. (Work in batches if processor is not large enough.) Pulse in juice, cayenne, 1 tsp. salt and 1/2 tsp. pepper. Add pimientos; pulse to blend, leaving some pieces visible. Taste and season with salt and pepper, if desired.

3. 3

   Line a large bowl with plastic wrap. Place cheese mixture in bowl. Pull wrap around mixture, twisting the ends of the wrap and forming cheese mixture into a ball. Leave ball in bowl and chill for at least 10 hours.

4. 4

   Remove plastic wrap and roll ball in chopped walnuts. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Set out with crackers, if desired.

* Per serving · 4 servings · Values may vary.