Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon

Pinecone Cheese Ball with Nuts and Rosemary Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 61 reviews
  • Author: Bertha
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 7 minutes (for toasting almonds)
  • Total Time: 2 hours 22 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cheese balls, serves 8-10 as an appetizer
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Pinecone Shaped Cheese Ball is a festive and visually stunning appetizer, perfect for holiday gatherings. Creamy Neufchatel cheese and Gruyere blend perfectly with dry onion soup mix to create a flavorful cheese base, which is shaped into pinecones and decorated with toasted almonds to mimic pinecone scales. Fresh rosemary sprigs add a touch of greenery, resembling pine branches, and Wheat Thins provide the ideal crunchy accompaniment.

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

Decorations

  • 1 cup whole almonds, toasted
  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
  • 6 sprigs fresh rosemary (about 5 inches each)
  • Wheat Thins for serving

Instructions

  1. Prepare Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat the softened Neufchatel cheese and dry onion soup mix together until well blended. Stir in the shredded Gruyere cheese until evenly incorporated.
  2. Shape Cheese Balls: Divide the cheese mixture in half. Shape each half into a 5×2½-inch oval with one end slightly pointed, resembling a pinecone. Place both ovals on a serving plate, leaving space around them.
  3. Decorate with Almonds: Insert the toasted almonds at a slight angle into the cheese in horizontal rows to mimic pinecone scales. Use whole almonds on one pinecone and sliced almonds on the other.
  4. Add Rosemary Branches: Tuck the fresh rosemary sprigs around the pinecones on the serving plate to emulate pine branches.
  5. Chill: Refrigerate the assembled pinecones for 2 hours to firm up.
  6. Serve: Remove from the refrigerator and let stand at room temperature for 15 minutes to soften slightly before serving. Serve with Wheat Thins or your preferred crackers.

Notes

  • To toast almonds, spread them in a single layer on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until golden and fragrant.
  • Allowing the cheese balls to soften slightly at room temperature before serving enhances flavor and spreadability.
  • This recipe can be doubled or halved depending on the number of guests.
  • For a nut-free version, consider using small pretzel pieces or herb sprigs to decorate instead of almonds.

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1/10 of recipe
  • Calories: 180
  • Sugar: 1g
  • Sodium: 320mg
  • Fat: 15g
  • Saturated Fat: 6g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 7g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 4g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 6g
  • Cholesterol: 25mg

Find it online: https://grannyeats.com/pinecone-cheese-ball-with-nuts-and-rosemary-recipe/