Melt butter in a medium-sized pan on medium heat. once butter begins to bubble, add pecans, brown sugar, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt
Cook for 5 minutes, stirring frequently
Pour pecans onto a sheet of parchment paper and spread evenly to cool
Transfer cooled candied pecans to a food processor and pulse until chopped into small pieces. If you do not have a food processor, place nuts into a plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin or kitchen mallet
Pour crushed nuts onto a plate or into a bowl
In a small bowl, mix room temperature cream cheese with onion powder, garlic powder, mustard powder, and 1 ½ tablespoons maple syrup until well combined
Gather cheese and roll into a ball
Roll cheese ball into the nut mixture until cheese is covered with candied pecans
To serve, place cheese ball in the center of a serving plate and drizzle it with remaining 1½ teaspoons maple syrup.
Surround maple pecan cheese ball with a variety of crackers or toasted pieces of bread