Pineapple Cheese Braids Recipes

PINEAPPLE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• Toast the pecans: preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spread the pecans in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet. Bake until toasted and fragrant, about 8 to 10 minutes, stirring once halfway through. DO NOT WALK AWAY. Nuts love to burn at the last second. Let cool, then chop go for a medium chop, a little bit finer than rough chopped (but they certainly don't need to be microscopic pieces).
• In a large mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese with the garlic powder, salt, and cayenne until smooth and combined.
• By hand, stir in the pineapple, bell pepper, and green onion.
• Add half of the chopped pecans.
• Lay a large sheet of plastic wrap on the counter. Scrape the cheese pineapple mixture into the center in as globe-like of a mound as you can. It will not be a perfect sphere at this point.
• Wrap the edges of the plastic around it to seal and encourage it to form a round ball. Place the wrapped cream cheese in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or overnight.
• When ready to serve, remove the chilled cheese ball from the refrigerator. Place the chopped pecans on a plate. (I find it's easiest to use a plate with edges that curve up a little. A pie dish works well too.) Unwrap the cheese ball and place it on the plate with the pecans, coating well. The cheese ball won't roll like a real ball. Gently lift and turn it, patting the pecans all over the outside. Carefully transfer it to a serving plate. Serve with crackers or baguette slices and a sprinkle of additional green onion for garnish.

PINEAPPLE CHEESE BRAIDS

Steps:

• 1. In a mixing bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. Add the butter, sugar, eggs, salt and 2 c. flour; beat on low speed for 3 minutes. Stir in enough flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 45 minutes.
• 2. In a saucepan, combine the pineapple filling ingredients. Bring to a boil; reduce heat. Cook and stir until thickened. Cool. Combine the cream cheese filling ingredients.
• 3. Punch dough down. Turn onto a floured surface, divide dough in half. Roll each portion into a 15"x9" rectangle. Place on greased baking sheet. Spread the cream cheese filling lengthwise down center third of rectangles. Spread the pineapple filling on top. On each long side, cut 1" wide strips 3" into center. Starting at one end, fold alternately at an angle across filling. Seal ends. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.
• 4. Bake at 350* for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Refrigerate left overs

GRILLED PINEAPPLE-CHEESE SANDWICH

Steps:

• Pat pineapple dry with paper towel. Fill bread slices with pineapple and 2% Milk Singles.
• Spread outside of sandwich with margarine.
• Cook in skillet on medium heat 3 min. on each side or until golden brown on both sides.

PINEAPPLE CHEESE BALL

Steps:

• In a small bowl, beat cream cheese, pineapple, green pepper, onion and seasoned salt until blended. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes. Shape into a ball (mixture will be soft); coat in walnuts. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve with crackers and vegetables.