Recipe: Cheddar Pecan Cheese Ring with Fig Preserves

Fancy to look at, but easy to make, this cheese dip is shaped into a ring with the help of a Bundt cake pan. 

INGREDIENTS:

CHEESE MIXTURE

• 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup mayo
• 1/2 cup sour cream
• 1 1/2 cups pre-shredded mozzarella cheese
• 1 1/2 cups freshly shredded cheddar cheese
• 3 green onions, chopped
• 1 cup cooked bacon, chopped
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder

TOPPING MIXTURE

• 1 cups pecans, chopped
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1/3 cup cooked bacon, chopped 

SERVING SUGGESTIONS

• ¾ cup fig preserves
  
• fresh herb sprigs (like rosemary,sage, or parsley)

DIRECTIONS:

1. Cook bacon according to directions. Drain well and chop into bits.
2. Prepare Bundt pan: Fully line the inside of the Bundt pan with plastic wrap. Wrap should hang over the outside edges.
3. Sprinkle the topping ingredients into the bottom of the lined bundt pan.
4. In a medium bowl, add the cheese mixture ingredients together and mix until well combined.
5. Carefully spoon the cheese mixture into the pan over the toppings and smooth.
6. Fold plastic wrap over the cheese mixture and press down gently to evenly pack the mixture. Chill overnight in refrigerator.
7. To serve: Peel back the top plastic wrap. Place serving plate over pan and then invert the bundt pan onto the plate. Lift the pan off and remove the plastic wrap liner.
8. Spoon fig jam into the center of the cheese ring.
9. Decorate around the ring with sprigs of herbs.
10. Serve with crackers or bread

NOTES:

Freshly grate the cheddar cheese for best results. 

My favorite options for serving are  Bonne Maman®  Fig Preserves and Triscuit ® crackers (Original flavor)