Cheese Pine Cones
Transform your next appetizer spread with these festive and flavorful Cheese Pine Cones! This no-cook, crowd-pleasing recipe combines cream cheese, sharp cheddar, and Parmesan to create a creamy, savory cheese base seasoned with garlic powder, onion powder, and a hint of smoked paprika. Shaped into a charming pine cone form and adorned with whole almonds to mimic natural scales, each “pine cone” is a work of art that will wow your guests. Garnished with fresh rosemary sprigs for a rustic, holiday-worthy presentation, these Cheese Pine Cones are as beautiful as they are delicious. Prep is quick and easy, making it the perfect choice for busy entertaining. Serve with crackers or fresh bread and watch it disappear as the ultimate party centerpiece!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cream cheese
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese (shredded)
- 0.25 cup Parmesan cheese (grated)
- 0.5 tsp Garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp Onion powder
- 0.25 tsp Smoked paprika
- 0.25 tsp Salt
- 0.25 tsp Ground black pepper
- 1 cup Whole almonds (unpeeled)
- 4 sprigs Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
- optional Crackers or bread (for serving)
Instructions
In a large mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, grated Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, onion powder, smoked paprika, salt, and ground black pepper.
Mix the ingredients together until smooth and well combined. You can use a fork or a hand mixer for a creamier texture.
Shape the cheese mixture into an oval ball or a slightly elongated teardrop shape to resemble a pine cone. Place it on a serving platter.
Starting at the narrow tip of the cheese ball, press whole almonds into the cheese at a slight angle, pointy side facing outward. Continue in rows, layering the almonds in an overlapping pattern resembling pine cone scales. Cover the entire surface of the cheese ball with almonds.
Once the pine cone shape is complete, garnish the platter with fresh rosemary sprigs around the base to mimic pine branches.
Refrigerate the cheese pine cone for at least 30 minutes to firm up before serving.
Serve with crackers or slices of bread as an appetizer.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
289 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 24.4 g | 31% | |
| Saturated Fat | 10.7 g | 54% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 51 mg | 17% | |
| Sodium | 381 mg | 17% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 8.2 g | 3% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 2.0 g | 7% | |
| Total Sugars | 2.0 g | ||
| Protein | 11.5 g | 23% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.2 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 254 mg | 20% | |
| Iron | 0.9 mg | 5% | |
| Potassium | 162 mg | 3% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
