Caramel Apple Cheese Ball

One of my favorite treats is caramel and apples, most usually just the store-bought caramel will do. I'm not terribly fussy when it comes to something like that. However, if I'm entertaining, which I used to do quite a bit, I want to go a bit farther than a tub of dip and a cut-up apple. This was delicious and when I read the recipe in gourmet class, could NOT wait to try it. The first time I got to sample it, I didn't make it; the girl next to me did. She didn't like it. I told her she was nuts. It's a bit unusual for a cheese ball, but hey, who says the norm is always the way to go?? The cheeseball is an alternative to "straight" dipping apples. I like to drizzle the caramel on top of the nuts when serving. I have also just spread the mixture on a graham cracker and topped with an apple slice. It's up to you to use the caramel. Passive time is refrigerator time, but is very approximate.

• Ready In: 1 hr 10 mins
• Yields: 1 cheese ball

Ingredients

• 8  ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1  cup  finely diced tart apple
• 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained VERY well
• 1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1⁄8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1  cup  chopped pecans, divided
• 1 (12 1/4ounce) jar  smuckers  caramel ice cream topping, if desired

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese, apple, pineapple and spices. Blend well.
2. Add 1/2 cup pecans; blend well.
3. Form into a ball and roll in remaining pecans to coat. Drizzle with caramel, if desired.
4. Refrigerate until firm.