Best Classic Pinecone Pepper Jack Cheese Ball Recipes

PINE CONE CHEESE BALL

Pine Cone Cheese Ball image

Any cheese ball is a welcome addition to a holiday party spread, but when you bring one that looks like a pine cone, you're talking about a real showstopper.

Provided by Chef John

Categories Appetizers and Snacks Dips and Spreads Recipes Cheese Dips and Spreads Recipes Cheese Ball Recipes

Time 30m

Yield 16

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
4 ounces goat cheese, softened
3 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh tarragon
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
½ clove garlic, minced, or more to taste
1 pinch cayenne pepper, or to taste
salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 cup whole almonds, or as needed
3 large fresh rosemary sprigs

Steps:

Stir cream cheese, goat cheese, parsley, tarragon, thyme, garlic, cayenne pepper, salt, and black pepper together in a bowl until smooth and well-mixed.
Turn cheese mixture out onto a serving platter and form into a tapered oval shape to resemble a pine cone.
Starting at the tapered end, press almonds into the cheese cone so that the tip of the almond is facing out and down, and cheese cone is completely covered with almonds and resembles a pine cone. Place rosemary sprigs at the top to resemble pine needles.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 175.9 calories, Carbohydrate 2.9 g, Cholesterol 36.4 mg, Fat 16.4 g, Fiber 1.1 g, Protein 5.6 g, SaturatedFat 8 g, Sodium 129.7 mg, Sugar 0.7 g

PINECONE CHEESE BALL

Pinecone Cheese Ball image

I found this recipe in Kraft's 'What's Cooking' magazine. It is very impressive looking, so I decided I had to try it.

Provided by Jaime in Winnipeg

Categories Spreads

Time 3h

Yield 1 cheese ball, 16 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 5

Ingredients

1 (250 g) package cream cheese, softened (light works fine)
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese (the recipe calls for tex mex cheese, but I used medium cheddar, and I'm sure swiss would work well,)
2 tablespoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons chopped canned green chilies
1/3 cup sliced almonds, toasted

Steps:

Mix cream cheese, shredded cheese, and Dijon mustard in a blender or food processor until well blended.
Stir in green chilies.
Place in freezer for 20 minutes so that it is easier to handle and shape.
Remove from freezer and place on wax paper.
Shape into what resembles a pinecone.
Stick the almonds into the cheese ball in rows that completely cover the cheese ball.
Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
Let the cheese ball stand at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Serve with crackers.