Description
This festive Pinecone Holiday Cheese Ball is a delightful appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with a blend of cream cheese, mayonnaise, cheddar, and Parmesan, seasoned with fresh herbs and spices, and covered in almond slices to resemble a pinecone, this savory cheese ball is as visually appealing as it is delicious.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese Ball Base
- 16 oz Blocks Cream cheese (2 – 8 oz blocks)
- 1/3 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup White cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
- 2 Green onions (chopped)
- 1 teaspoon Rosemary
- 1 teaspoon Thyme
- 1 teaspoon Dill
- 1 teaspoon Garlic powder
- 1/2 teaspoon Sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon Black pepper
Coating and Garnish
- 1 & 1/3 cup Almonds (sliced)
- Additional herbs such as thyme, oregano, or rosemary (for garnish)
- Cranberries (for garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare the Cheese Base: In a mixing bowl, use a handheld mixer to cream together the cream cheese and mayonnaise until the mixture is light and fluffy, which ensures a smooth texture for the cheese ball.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the shredded white cheddar, grated Parmesan, Worcestershire sauce, chopped green onions, rosemary, thyme, dill, garlic powder, sea salt, and black pepper to the creamed mixture. Stir thoroughly to blend all the flavors evenly.
- Chill the Mixture: Cover the bowl tightly with saran wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or up to overnight. This step allows flavors to meld and firms up the mixture for shaping.
- Shape the Cheese Balls: Remove the chilled cheese mixture from the bowl. Using your hands, form the cheese into two oval shapes and place them on a cutting board or serving platter.
- Apply Almond Coating: Starting at the bottom of each cheese ball, press sliced almonds at an angle into the surface, working your way up to cover the entire cheese ball, creating a pinecone texture.
- Garnish and Serve: Decorate the top of the cheese balls with fresh herbs such as thyme, oregano, or rosemary stems, and add cranberries for a festive touch before serving.
Notes
- Make sure to chill the cheese mixture thoroughly; this helps in easier shaping and better flavor development.
- For a nut-free version, substitute almonds with finely chopped vegetables or seeds.
- These cheese balls can be made a day in advance and refrigerated until ready to serve.
- Serve with crackers, sliced baguette, or vegetable sticks for a perfect appetizer.
