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–+ servings
pinecone holiday cheese balls on a wooden serving board
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Pinecone Holiday Cheese Balls

Pinecone holiday cheese balls are a fun and festive appetizer made with a cream cheese base, savory seasonings, and and artfully arranged almonds. They're easy to put together and make a fun addition to a Christmas party, holiday dinner, or any festive gathering.
Prep Time40 minutes
Chill Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Dip, Snack, Spread
Cuisine: American
Servings: 16
Calories: 199kcal
Author: Meaghan - The Quicker Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 2 8 oz blocks cream cheese softened
  • 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese
  • 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 green onions finely diced
  • 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 tsp dried dill weed
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1 1/3 cups sliced almonds
  • sprigs of rosemary for garnish
US Customary - Metric

Instructions

  • Add the cream cheese and mayonnaise to a mixing bowl and, using a hand mixer, blend them together until smooth & creamy.
    2 8 oz blocks cream cheese, 1/3 cup mayonnaise
  • Add the remaining ingredients, except for the almonds, and blend together until everything's evenly combined.
    1/2 cup shredded white cheddar cheese, 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, 1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce, 2 green onions, 1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary, 1 tsp dried thyme, 1 tsp dried dill weed, 1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.
  • Shape the cheese mixture into two ovals, then transfer them to a serving board where they're positioned next to each other.
  • Starting at the bottom of the cheese balls, add the almonds at a slight angle working upwards until both are completely covered and resemble pinecones.
    1 1/3 cups sliced almonds
  • Add a sprig of rosemary to the top center of each for a 'stem'.
    sprigs of rosemary
  • Serve with assorted crackers and enjoy!

Notes

  • Do not skip letting the cream cheese soften to room temperature on the counter.
  • Let the almonds overlap a little and arrange them in rows to best emulate a pinecone.
  • You can make these a day ahead of time and store them in the fridge in an airtight container. Just let them soften a little on the counter prior to serving.
  • Use a large enough platter to give them room for dippers.

Nutrition

Calories: 199kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 0.01g | Cholesterol: 35mg | Sodium: 256mg | Potassium: 118mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 455IU | Vitamin C: 0.5mg | Calcium: 92mg | Iron: 1mg