Pine Cone Cheese Ball with Almonds Recipe

Introduction

This Pine Cone Cheese Ball with Almonds is a festive and flavorful appetizer that’s perfect for gatherings. Creamy, savory, and beautifully decorated with toasted almonds and fresh rosemary, it’s sure to impress your guests.

Ingredients

• 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
• 5 strips of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 1 Tbsp diced green onion
• 1 tsp chopped fresh dill weed
• 1/8 tsp pepper
• 1 1/4 cup whole almonds, toasted
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Step 2: Spread the almonds on a baking pan and bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden. Remove and let cool.
3. Step 3: In a food processor or blender, combine the softened cream cheese and light mayonnaise and mix until smooth.
4. Step 4: Stir in the cooked and crumbled bacon, diced green onion, chopped dill weed, and pepper until well combined.
5. Step 5: Cover the mixture and chill in the refrigerator overnight to allow flavors to meld.
6. Step 6: Shape the chilled cheese mixture into two small pine cone shapes on a serving plate.
7. Step 7: Starting at the narrow end, press the toasted almonds into the cheese at a slight angle, arranging them in rows to mimic pine cone scales.
8. Step 8: Garnish the cheese balls with fresh rosemary sprigs to resemble pine needles.
9. Step 9: Serve your pine cone cheese balls with crackers and enjoy!

Tips & Variations

• Use smoked almonds for an extra layer of flavor.
• Substitute fresh herbs like thyme or chives if dill isn’t available.
• For a nut-free version, try using finely chopped crunchy vegetables or seeds as decoration.
• Make smaller cheese balls as individual servings for easy appetizer platters.

Storage

Store the cheese ball covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. If leftovers remain, bring to room temperature before serving to soften the cheese for the best flavor and texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare this cheese ball in advance?

Yes, chilling the cheese ball overnight enhances the flavors and makes shaping easier. It’s a perfect make-ahead appetizer.

Can I use regular mayonnaise instead of light?

Absolutely, regular mayonnaise will work fine and may add a richer flavor if you prefer.

Pine Cone Cheese Ball with Almonds Recipe

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★★★★★

5 from 60 reviews

This charming Pine Cone Cheese Ball with Almonds is a festive and savory appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions. Cream cheese and light mayonnaise create a smooth, flavorful base mixed with smoky bacon, fresh green onion, and aromatic dill. Toasted almonds are carefully pressed into the cheese mixture to resemble pine cone scales, while rosemary sprigs add an elegant, pine-needle garnish. Serve chilled with crackers for a delightful and visually impressive starter.

• Author: Lila
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 8 hours 30 minutes (including overnight chilling)
• Yield: 2 small pine cone cheese balls (serves approximately 8–10 people) 1x
• Category: Appetizer
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cheese Ball Mixture

• 1 (8 oz) package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup light mayonnaise
• 5 strips of bacon, cooked crisp and crumbled
• 1 Tbsp diced green onion
• 1 tsp chopped fresh dill weed
• 1/8 tsp black pepper

Toppings and Garnish

• 1 1/4 cups whole almonds, toasted
• Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for toasting the almonds.
2. Toast Almonds: Spread the whole almonds evenly on a baking pan. Bake them for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until they are golden brown and fragrant. Remove from the oven and let them cool completely.
3. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a food processor or blender, combine the softened cream cheese and light mayonnaise. Blend until smooth and well mixed, creating a creamy base.
4. Add Flavorings: Transfer the cheese mixture to a bowl and gently stir in the crumbled cooked bacon, diced green onion, chopped fresh dill weed, and black pepper until evenly incorporated.
5. Chill Mixture: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the mixture overnight to allow flavors to meld and to firm up the cheese ball mixture.
6. Shape Cheese Balls: Remove the chilled mixture from the refrigerator. Using your hands or a spoon, shape the mixture into two small pine cone shapes on your serving plate.
7. Apply Almonds: Starting at the narrow end of each pine cone shape, press the toasted almonds into the cheese mixture at a slight angle. Arrange the almonds in overlapping rows to mimic the layered scales of a pine cone.
8. Garnish: Insert fresh rosemary sprigs around and on top of the cheese balls to resemble pine needles, giving the cheese balls an authentic pine cone appearance.
9. Serve: Present the pine cone cheese balls with crackers on the side for guests to enjoy as a delicious and visually appealing appetizer.

Notes

• Ensure the cream cheese is fully softened at room temperature for easier blending.
• To save time, bacon can be cooked in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
• Fresh dill weed provides the best flavor; if unavailable, dried dill can be used but reduce quantity by half.
• For added texture, almonds can be roughly chopped instead of whole, but whole almonds are preferred for the pine cone look.
• Make sure to chill the cheese mixture thoroughly to make it easier to shape and to enhance flavors.
• This cheese ball can be prepared a day ahead, making it perfect for entertaining.

Keywords: pine cone cheese ball, cheese ball appetizer, holiday appetizer, cream cheese appetizer, bacon cheese ball, toasted almonds, festive appetizer, party food