Welcome to The BakerMama Monthly Recipe Challenge! Each month, we’ll all be making the same recipe from TheBakerMama.com. After you’ve made the recipe, leave a review on the recipe’s page for a chance to win a $100 Amazon gift card.
How The Challenge Works
- Make the Recipe: Each month, I will choose a specific recipe from TheBakerMama.com for us all to make! You can find the monthly recipe link and description below.
- Leave a Rating and Review (required entry): Leave a comment (with a valid email address) and rate the recipe with a star rating here on the blog. Include the hashtag #TheBakerMamaRecipeChallenge in your comment to be entered into the challenge. Be sure to leave your email address so we can reach out to you if you’re a winner. To leave a recipe review, scroll all the way to the bottom of the blog post itself where it says “Leave a Reply”.
- Bonus Entry: Share a photo of your recipe creation in my Facebook Group and add the hashtag #TheBakerMamaRecipeChallenge. You’ll get one extra entry for the monthly drawing.
- Win Prizes: One random winner* will be chosen at the end of each month to receive a $100 Amazon Gift Card. We will contact the winner via the email that they leave with their recipe review. *Only residents of the U.S. and Canada are eligible to enter.
Stay in the Loop
If you haven’t joined my newsletter, be sure to enter your name and email below. You’ll receive the Monthly Recipe Challenge updates each month, along with new recipes and other exciting news from The BakerMama.
November Recipe Challenge: Pumpkin Cheese Ball
Happy November, friends! It’s time to announce this month’s recipe challenge! This month, we’re making my Pumpkin Cheese Ball! A hint of pumpkin spice adds some fall pep to this festive Pumpkin Cheese Ball. Perfect for dipping, it makes a fun and delicious appetizer for your Friendsgiving or Thanksgiving get together.
Making this Pumpkin Cheese Ball is so simple, and with a few little tricks, you can make it look (and taste!) extra special. Whether you’re serving it as a show-stopping appetizer, adding it to a festive fall board, or keeping it easy as a dip in a bowl, I’ll share all my best tips to help you make it successfully.
Tips & Modifications
Quick Tips
- Soft cheese is key: Make sure your cream cheese is softened before mixing so it combines easily and forms a smooth, creamy texture.
- Chill before shaping: After mixing, chill the cheese mixture for at least an hour to make it easier to mold.
- Use plastic wrap: Wrap it tightly in plastic wrap before shaping. It helps form a perfect round shape and keeps your hands clean.
- Pumpkin details: Once chilled, us a butter knife to easily score lines in the cheese ball to create the pumpkin shape. You can also gently wrap rubber bands or kitchen twine around the cheese ball before chilling it to create the pumpkin-like ridges.
- Stem ideas: When it’s time to serve, add your “stem”! A bell pepper stem looks super realistic, but a pretzel rod or cinnamon stick works beautifully too.
Modifications
This recipe is so versatile! You can easily make it fit your favorite flavors or the crowd you’re serving:
- Savory fall twist: add crisp bacon bits, chopped chives, or a dash of smoked paprika.
- Sweet and spiced: stir in a touch of honey, hot honey, cinnamon, or nutmeg. Or use a honey goat cheese in place of the cream cheese.
- Spicy kick: try diced jalapeños or pepper jack cheese for a little heat.
- Crunchy coating: roll the outside in chopped pecans, pepitas, or even crushed pretzels.
Previous Challenges
I hope you will join me in this fun and yummy Monthly Recipe Challenge! As always, If you make any of my recipes, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. If you’re on Facebook, be sure to join my Friends of The BakerMama group to connect and share all the fun and yummy recipes of mine that you make! 
I just love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the ideas I share. Enjoy!
xoxo,
