I've always served it as a ball and let the guests help themselves. Much easier to refrigerate if there is any leftover. My best friend always requests one for Christmas. (My daughter and I usually have to taste test it and take a little bit from the bottom. And no one ever knows:). I haven't used the imitation bits as we don't like them and the recipe did call for real bacon pieces. They come in a jar and are considerably lower in fat. Think I use about a half a jar. Hope this helps.