Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball

Jalapeño Popper Cheese Ball 2 8 oz packages cream cheese - softened 1/2 cup cheddar cheese - shredded 1/2 cup Pepper Jack cheese - shredded 2 tablespoons cooked bacon or bacon bits 1 medium jalapeño - seeded and minced (about 1/3 cup) 1 tablespoon ranch seasoning 2 tablespoons fresh chives - finely chopped salt and pepper to taste Cheese Ball Coating 2 tablespoons cooked bacon or bacon bits 2 tablespoons fresh chives - finely chopped 1 tablespoon fresh parsley - finely chopped To the bowl of a food processor, stand mixer or mixing bowl, add cream cheese. Blend/stir until smooth. Add cheddar cheese, pepper jack cheese, bacon bits, jalapeños, ranch seasoning and chives. Blend together until well mixed, scraping down sides of bowl occasionally. Lay out a sheet of plastic wrap and spoon cheese ball mixture into the middle. Bring up sides of wrap and form cheese mixture into a ball. Place in a bowl and chill in refrigerator for 2 hours. Place bacon bits, fresh chives and parsley on a small baking sheet or rimmed pan. Take cheese ball out of plastic wrap and roll in coating. Place on serving plate with crackers and serve immediately. **Can be rewrapped and stored in fridge until time to serve.