Football Cheese Ball

Ingredients (11)

• 16 ounces cream cheese, room temperature (two 8-ounce packages)
• 3 tablespoons bottled ranch dressing, I used Hidden Valley Ranch original
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 3 tablespoons chopped chives divided
• 2 cups sharp cheddar cheese finely shredded
• 12 ounces center-cut bacon, cooked & crumbled, divided (this will yield about 3/4 cup bacon crumbles)
• 1 cup walnuts finely chopped
• 2 slices white cheddar cheese, from the deli and sliced thin
• butter crackers like Ritz brand, to serve with