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Pinecone Cheese Ball with Almonds Recipe

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  • Author: Anna
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes (for toasting almonds)
  • Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (includes chilling)
  • Yield: 2 pinecone cheese balls, serves approximately 8-10 people
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Low Salt

Description

This Pinecone Shaped Cheese Ball recipe is a festive and visually delightful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Combining creamy Neufchatel cheese with flavorful Gruyere and dry onion soup mix, this cheese ball is shaped into pinecones and decorated with toasted almonds and fresh rosemary to mimic pine needles. Served with Wheat Thins, it offers an elegant bite-sized treat that impresses both in taste and presentation.

Ingredients

Scale

Cheese Ball

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

Decoration

  • 1 cup almonds, toasted
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 6 sprigs, 5 inches fresh rosemary

Serving

  • Wheat Thins crackers

Instructions

  1. Mix Cheeses and Seasoning: Beat the Neufchatel cheese and dry onion soup mix together in a medium bowl until fully blended, creating a smooth, flavorful base.
  2. Add Gruyere Cheese: Stir in the shredded Gruyere cheese thoroughly to incorporate it evenly into the mixture, enhancing the flavor and texture.
  3. Divide Mixture: Split the cheese mixture into two equal portions to prepare two separate pinecone shapes.
  4. Shape Pinecones: Shape each portion into an oval approximately 5 inches by 2-1/2 inches, tapering one end to resemble a pinecone.
  5. Arrange on Plate: Place both pinecone shapes on a serving plate, leaving space around each for decorating.
  6. Insert Almonds: Insert whole toasted almonds into one pinecone and sliced toasted almonds into the other, angling them slightly and placing in horizontal rows to mimic pinecone scales.
  7. Add Rosemary Sprigs: Tuck the fresh rosemary sprigs around the pinecones to look like pine tree branches, adding a festive touch.
  8. Chill: Refrigerate the decorated pinecones for 2 hours to firm up and allow flavors to meld.
  9. Bring to Room Temperature: Remove from the refrigerator 15 minutes before serving to soften slightly for optimal flavor and spreadability.
  10. Serve: Offer the cheese ball pinecones with Wheat Thins crackers for a crunchy accompaniment.

Notes

  • Allow the cheese balls to soften slightly at room temperature before serving to enhance flavor and spreadability.
  • To toast almonds, bake them in a single layer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent burning.
  • Neufchatel cheese can be substituted with cream cheese if unavailable, but the lower fat content in Neufchatel contributes to a lighter texture.
  • Use fresh rosemary for the best aroma and visual effect; dried herbs will not replicate the pine branch appearance.
  • For a nut-free version, consider using small pretzel sticks or sliced vegetables for decoration.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 serving (approx. 1/8 pinecone with crackers)
  • Calories: 190 kcal
  • Sugar: 1 g
  • Sodium: 210 mg
  • Fat: 15 g
  • Saturated Fat: 5 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 9 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 6 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 6 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg

Find it online: https://recipestrend.com/pinecone-cheese-ball-with-almonds-recipe/