Bunco Blue Cheese Spread With Pecan-and-Bacon Topping

Ingredients

• 4 slices oscar mayer bacon ready to serve chopped
• 4 oz cheese blue crumbled at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon domino brown sugar dark
• 0.5 cup butter at room temperature
• 15 servings round buttery crackers assorted
• 8 oz philadelphia cream cheese at room temperature
• 0.1 teaspoon mccormick gourmet collection garlic powder 
• 0.3 cup green onions finely chopped
• 0.1 teaspoon mccormick gourmet collection ground pepper red (Cayenne)
• 0.5 cup pecans chopped

Equipment

• bowl
• frying pan
• plastic wrap

Directions

1. Stir together first 3 ingredients in a medium bowl until blended. Stir in green onions, red pepper, and garlic powder until well blended.
2. Press cheese mixture into a 2-cup glass bowl or a plastic wrap-lined mold. Cover and chill at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours.
3. Combine chopped bacon, pecans, and brown sugar. Saut bacon mixture in a large nonstick skillet coated with cooking spray over medium heat until pecans are toasted and bacon begins to crisp (about 5 minutes).
4. Remove from heat, and let cool.
5. Invert cheese mixture onto a serving plate. Gently press pecan mixture onto top and sides of cheese mixture.
6. Serve with assorted crackers or crostini.