Classic Pinecone Cheddar Cheese Ball Recipes

PINE CONE CHEESE BALL

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.

THE HEAVYSET CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.
• Place and spread all the almonds on a cookie sheet or in a shallow pan, pushing the almonds around until they turn color, about 20 minutes.
• Mix together the cream cheese and the mayonnaise. Add the bacon, salt and pepper, dill, and onion. Chill overnight.
• On a serving platter, make 2 pine cone shapes with the cheese. Begin to press the almonds at a slight angle into the cheese, starting at the narrow end of the pine cone shape.
• Do this in rows, continuing to overlap rows until all the cheese is covered. Garnish with fake sprigs, or real ones, or with rosemary.
• Serve at room temperature and spread on crackers.

CLASSIC PINECONE CHEDDAR CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Process first 3 ingredients in food processor until blended. Stir in chiles and cilantro.
• Shape into 4-inch oval on sheet of waxed paper to resemble pinecone. Insert nuts in rows to completely cover cream cheese mixture. Transfer to serving plate.
• Refrigerate 2 hours.

CLASSIC CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Combine the cream cheese, cheddar, Brie, Worcestershire sauce, hot sauce, garlic powder, and onion powder in a bowl. With an electric mixer, beat on medium speed until incorporated. Add the parsley and continue to beat on low speed until just combined. Form the mixture into a ball and refrigerate until set.
• While the cheese ball sets, coarsely chop the pecans and spread on a rimmed plate.
• About 30 minutes before serving, remove the cheese ball from the fridge. Roll the ball in the pecans, pressing them firmly to the ball, until completely covered. Let soften at room temperature for 30 minutes. Serve.

CLASSIC PINECONE SUPER-CHEDDAR CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Process first 3 ingredients in food processor until blended. Stir in chiles and pepper.
• Shape into 4-inch oval on sheet of waxed paper to resemble pinecone. Insert nuts in rows to completely cover cream cheese mixture. Transfer to serving plate.
• Refrigerate 2 hours.