Name: Pine Cone Cheese Ball
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 120 min
Total time: 160 min
Yield: 1 Pine Cone Cheese Ball
Ingredients: For the Cheese Balls; 24 ounces (three 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, room temperature; ¾ cup mayonnaise; ¾ cup finely chopped cooked bacon or chopped sautéed pancetta; ¾ teaspoon dried dill; ½ teaspoon garlic salt; 3 green onions, roots and tough greens removed, finely chopped; ¼ teaspoon white pepper; ½ pound whole unsalted skin-on toasted almonds; 24 ounces (three 8-ounce packages) cream cheese, room temperature; ¾ cup mayonnaise; ¾ cup finely chopped cooked bacon or chopped sautéed pancetta; ¾ teaspoon dried dill; ½ teaspoon garlic salt; 3 green onions, roots and tough greens removed, finely chopped; ¼ teaspoon white pepper; ½ pound whole unsalted skin-on toasted almonds

Appetizers

Pine Cone Cheese Ball

Author: Mary DiSomma

When I’m looking to make a delicious appetizer, this is one of my go-to recipes. I mean, come on—who doesn’t love cheese? Bacon is a big favorite in our house and there’s plenty of it in this next-level cheese ball recipe. Plus, there are plenty of almonds in my house, because I’m always tucking them into my biscotti recipes.

This Pine Cone Cheese Ball recipe is super easy to make and it’s perfect for the holidays. It’s one of those tasty treats that will bring the whole family together around the table. And besides, if I don’t put out any appetizers, I’m sure to find my family sneaking into the Christmas cookies early… but rest assured, there’ll be no shortage of those either! So without further ado, the cheese ball…

Pine Cone Cheese Ball

This Pine Cone Cheese Ball recipe adds a touch of joy to the holiday table… plus, who doesn’t love cheese? I promise you won’t be packing up any leftovers when dinner is over.

Yield: 1 Pine Cone Cheese Ball
Prep Time: 40 minutes 40 min
Cook Time: 2 hours 2 hrs
Total Time: 2 hours 40 minutes 2 hrs 40 min

Instructions

Place the cream cheese and mayonnaise in the bowl of a mixer. Mix on medium speed to combine.
Add the cooked bacon or pancetta, dill, salt, green onions, and white pepper. Mix on medium speed to combine.
Place a large piece of plastic wrap on a work surface. Scrape the cheese mixture onto the plastic wrap. Mold the cheese mixture into a pine cone shape using the plastic wrap. This will keep your hands free of that sticky cream cheese and help you form the cheese into a pine cone shape. Wrap it in the plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 2 days.
When ready to serve the cheese ball, remove it from the refrigerator and place it on a serving tray. Starting with the smaller end, begin making rows of almonds, inserting only a small portion of each almond into the cheese. Decorate with rosemary and a few fresh cranberries.