Smoky Southern Bacon & Pretzel Cheese Ball

Ingredients

• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 6 slices thick-cut bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled (reserve 2 tablespoons for coating)
• 2-3 TBS Salted Perfection Raleigh Select Blend
• 2 TBS fresh chives, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish)
• 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 cup mini pretzels, crushed into coarse crumbs

Instructions

1. Cook the bacon: In a skillet over medium heat, cook your thick-cut bacon until it's super crispy. Drain on a paper towel-lined plate, then crumble it up. Set aside about 2 tablespoons of the crumbled bacon for later, this is for the outer crust, understand?
2. Mix the base: In a medium mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, the main portion of crumbled bacon (not the reserved 2 tablespoons), 2-3 tablespoons of Salted Perfection Raleigh Select Blend, 2 tablespoons of fresh chives, and the Worcestershire sauce. Use a sturdy spoon or a hand mixer on low speed to blend everything together until it's smooth and well-combined. You want those flavors singing!
3. Form the ball: Scrape the cheese mixture onto a piece of plastic wrap. Using the plastic wrap to help, form the mixture into a neat ball. Don't be shy, give it a good shape!
4. Chill out: Wrap the cheese ball tightly in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours. This is crucial, it needs to firm up so it'll hold its shape and be easy to coat. Patience, my friend, it'll be worth it.
5. Prepare the coating: While your cheese ball is chilling, get your coating ready. In a shallow dish, combine the crushed pretzels and the reserved 2 tablespoons of crumbled bacon. Give it a little mix so it's evenly distributed. Remember Tony's Kitchen Law #1: crunchy stuff goes on AFTER, so no soggy pretzels here!
6. Coat and serve: Unwrap the chilled cheese ball and roll it vigorously in the pretzel and bacon mixture, pressing gently to make sure it's completely covered. You want every inch coated in that crunchy, savory goodness. Place it on a serving platter.
7. Garnish and enjoy: Garnish with a sprinkle of extra fresh chives, if you're feelin' fancy. Serve immediately with extra pretzels, crackers, or veggie sticks. Fuggedaboutit, this is gonna be a hit!
8. Visit www.saltedperfection.com and leave a Five Star review. DUNZO!