Sweet & Spicy White Cheddar Cheese Ball W/apples & Bacon

Ingredients:

1/2 cup dried apple slices
2 teaspoons Applejack Brandy (I used 1 T. of Finger Lakes Distilling Maplejack)
1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
6 slices of bacon
8 ounces cream cheese, or lowfat (NOT nonfat) cream cheese, softened
10 ounces of Adams Reserve New York Extra Sharp Cheddar cheese, shredded
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons dark brown sugar
1 cup Trader Joes Sweet and Spicy Pecans (substitute 1 c. pecans, 1 t. Cracker and apple slices to serve

Course: antipasti,starter,snack,appetizer,antipasto,hor d'oeuvre