Description
A festive and visually appealing Pinecone Shaped Cheese Ball perfect for holiday gatherings or parties. This easy-to-make appetizer combines creamy Neufchatel cheese, savory dry onion soup mix, and shredded Gruyere cheese, decorated with toasted almonds to resemble pinecones, and garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs for an elegant touch. Serve with Wheat Thins for a delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Mixture
- 2 packages (8 oz each) Neufchatel cheese, softened
- 1 envelope (1 oz) dry onion soup mix
- 4 oz Gruyere cheese, shredded
Decorations
- 1 cup almonds, toasted (whole almonds)
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 6 sprigs fresh rosemary, about 5 inches each
Serving
- Wheat Thins crackers
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Mixture: In a medium bowl, beat the softened Neufchatel cheese and dry onion soup mix together until well blended. Then add the shredded Gruyere cheese and mix thoroughly to combine all flavors evenly.
- Shape the Cheese Ball: Divide the cheese mixture into two equal portions. Shape each half into an oval approximately 5 inches by 2-1/2 inches, tapering one end slightly to mimic the shape of a pinecone. Place the two shaped cheese balls on a serving plate, spacing them apart to allow for decoration.
- Decorate with Almonds: Gently insert the toasted almonds into one cheese ball in horizontal rows at a slight angle to mimic pinecone scales. Use whole almonds for one pinecone and sliced almonds for the other to create visual contrast.
- Add Rosemary Sprigs: Tuck the fresh rosemary sprigs around the pinecones on the serving plate to resemble pine tree branches. This adds a festive and natural garnish to the presentation.
- Chill the Cheese Balls: Refrigerate the cheese balls for at least 2 hours to allow them to firm up and let flavors meld. Before serving, allow the pinecones to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes to soften slightly for easier spreading.
- Serve: Present the pinecone cheese balls with Wheat Thins crackers for guests to scoop and enjoy this festive appetizer.
Notes
- Soften the Neufchatel cheese ahead to ensure easier mixing and shaping.
- To toast almonds, spread them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes or until fragrant and lightly browned.
- Allowing the cheese balls to rest at room temperature before serving improves spreadability and flavor.
- Rosemary sprigs are edible and add a subtle aroma; however, some guests may prefer to remove before eating.
- Use good quality dry onion soup mix for best flavor results.
- Wheat Thins can be substituted with other crackers or sliced baguette if desired.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of recipe
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 290mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 5g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
