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Pinecone Cheese Ball Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.8 from 94 reviews
  • Author: Jasmine
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes (for toasting almonds)
  • Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes (including chilling time)
  • Yield: 2 pinecone cheese balls, serving approximately 10-12 people
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Lactose

Description

Create a festive and visually appealing pinecone-shaped cheese ball perfect for holiday appetizers. This recipe blends creamy Neufchatel cheese with savory dry onion soup mix and Gruyere cheese, decorated with toasted almonds and fresh rosemary to resemble pinecone scales and tree branches. Served with Wheat Thins, it’s a charming and tasty party treat.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Ball Mixture

  • 2 pkg. (8 oz each) Neufchatel cheese, softened
  • 1 envelope (1 oz) dry onion soup mix
  • 4 oz Gruyere cheese, shredded

Decoration

  • 1 cup almonds, toasted (whole almonds for one pinecone)
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted (slivered almonds for the other pinecone)
  • 6 sprigs fresh rosemary, 5 inches each

Serving

  • Wheat Thins crackers

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cheese Mixture: Beat the softened Neufchatel cheese and dry onion soup mix together in a medium bowl until fully blended and smooth.
  2. Add Gruyere Cheese: Incorporate the shredded Gruyere cheese into the mixture and mix thoroughly to ensure even distribution of flavors.
  3. Shape Cheese Balls: Divide the cheese mixture evenly into two portions. Shape each half into an oval approximately 5 by 2 1/2 inches, slightly pointed at one end, to mimic the shape of a pinecone.
  4. Place on Serving Plate: Arrange the two pinecone shapes on a serving plate, leaving space around each to allow for decoration.
  5. Decorate with Nuts: Insert the toasted whole almonds into one cheese oval and the toasted sliced almonds into the other, placing them at a slight angle in horizontal rows to recreate the textured pattern of pinecone scales.
  6. Add Rosemary Branches: Tuck the fresh rosemary sprigs around the cheese balls to resemble pine tree branches, enhancing the festive presentation.
  7. Chill: Refrigerate the decorated cheese pinecones for at least 2 hours to allow them to firm up and meld flavors.
  8. Serve: Before serving, let the pinecones stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften slightly for easier spreading. Serve with Wheat Thins crackers.

Notes

  • You can use either Neufchatel or cream cheese in this recipe; both provide a creamy texture suitable for a holiday cheese ball.
  • To toast almonds, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5–10 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned.
  • Letting the cheese balls soften slightly at room temperature before serving improves spreadability.
  • This cheese ball is a festive and attractive addition to any holiday appetizer spread.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/12 of recipe (one slice with crackers)
  • Calories: 140
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 220mg
  • Fat: 12g
  • Saturated Fat: 4g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Cholesterol: 15mg

Find it online: https://jmrecipes.com/pinecone-cheese-ball-recipe/