Both festive and flavorful, a pine cone cheese ball is the perfect make ahead recipe for easy entertaining at holiday parties.
This recipe has been a favorite fall appetizer at multiple parties. Don’t forget to read the tips to make sure your cheese ball looks its best when you’re ready to serve it.
“Grandma and Grandpa really like cheese and crackers, don’t they?”
~My 8-year-old daughter
It was during one of our visits to my in-laws house that our oldest daughter decided that our regular cheese tray appetizer must be her grandparents’ favorite food.
To be fair, she wasn’t complaining.
Like most of us, she enjoys a good cheese and crackers platter. But it got me thinking about how easy it is to serve the same foods over and over again to our guests.
And while I have no objection to making tried-and-true favorites, sometimes it’s good to change things up a little.
For a long time, I thought cheese balls are kind of corny. But after some experimenting. I learned to love them.
They’re different enough to be fun and exciting, yet familiar enough that most guests will enjoy them.
The first time we made this pinecone cheeseball was for our youngest’s baptism reception, and it was an instant hit. The guests devoured it quickly and nearly everyone asked what was in it.
That was the moment that cheese balls became one of my favorite make-ahead party appetizers
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Make Your Pine Cone Cheese Ball Look Stunning
After putting so much effort into your cheese ball, you’ll want it to look it’s best, right? Here are a few tips to make sure it’s the star of the appetizers:
- Use parchment paper or wax paper under your cheese ball as it chills. These will both peel back from the firm cheese ball nicely so it can be put on the serving platter.
- Take your time adding the almonds, and make sure they are close together. If they’re too far apart, they will look haphazard.
- Make it stand out by putting it on a 6-inch cake stand. That way no one can ignore your cheese ball.
- If you want to put a cake stand on top of a plate for the crackers like the picture above, use a little Blu-Tac to keep the stand from sliding around
- If you really want to make it shine, try painting some gold luster dust onto the almonds after the cheese ball has set. It won’t change the flavor and will add a bit of holiday sparkle.
Now It’s Your Turn
I guarantee that if my in-laws served this pine cone cheese ball instead of their normal cheese and crackers, our oldest would be first in line for a bite.
This holiday season, try your hand at making a pinecone cheese ball instead of a cheese platter. Your guests will love the presentation, and you’ll love that it can be made so easily in advance!
Pine Cone Cheese Ball
Both festive and flavorful, this pine cone cheese ball is the perfect make ahead recipe for easy entertaining at holiday parties.
Ingredients
- 4 ounces goat cheese, room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
- 4 Tbsp minced herb blend, Italian flat-leaf parsley, rosemary, and thyme shown
- juice and zest of 1/4 of small lemon
- 1/8 tsp sea salt
- pepper to taste
- 90 - 100 Whole dry roasted, unsalted almonds
Instructions
- Prepare a plate with wax or parchment paper
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, blend together the goat cheese and cream cheese.
- Add the chopped herbs, lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Continue mixing until well combined.
- Spoon the mixture onto the prepared plate and form into an egg shape.
- Arrange the almonds in rows on the cheese ball, at an angle with the pointed ends sticking out.
- Refrigerate overnight or for at least 2 hours. When the cheese ball is firm, gently peel the wax paper from the bottom of the cheese ball while placing onto your serving platter.
- Let the cheese ball warm up slightly - for about 30 minutes- before serving. Serve with crackers or crostini
Notes
Tips:
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1 gramsAmount Per Serving: Unsaturated Fat: 0g
Do you serve cheese balls at parties?
How do you break out of an appetizer rut?
Note: This is an update to a post that was originally published in September 2016.
Jen says
This is the cutest ever and something I actually think with my limited skills of forming things could do! An egg shape is totally doable for me 🙂 The recipe sounds delicious too!
Tamara says
My goodness – I never knew what exactly went into making a cheese ball but I’m happy to know now!
This is SO cute.
Nellie says
this is super cute and looks so yummy, you are totally right, I love a good crackers and cheese plate!
Janine Huldie says
OK, believe it or not never have made a cheese ball here, but now I so want to try yours #happynowlinkup 🙂
Holly from klinwin.com says
I’m always looking for new appetizers to serve and I love the creativity of this cheese ball. Thanks for sharing!
#happynowlinkup
Lowanda j says
Cheese balls aren’t corny. They are always a hit at parties! 🙂 #happynowlinkparty
Kendall says
I’ve actually never made a cheese ball! I do enjoy them though – mostly because I just love cheese. I will definitely need to do something like this…and what a better time than the upcoming holidays! 🙂
Milena | Craft Beering says
This is a ridiculously amazing idea. Pinning and will impress some friends with your cheese & nuts presentation very soon, it is in my future:)
Kathleen Rupp says
Stopped by from grandma’s house diy party! I never know what appetizers to have when I host a party!ha. I will be using this recipe! pinned:)
Gentle Joy Photography says
That looks good. 🙂
Sue from Sizzling Towards 60 & Beyond says
I love the home decor idea although where I live we don’t get acorns. Your ideas look lovely and thanks for linking up and sharing at #BloggersPitStop. Have a great weekend. xx
Michelle Leslie says
What fun Leslie and the pine cone cheese ball looks so appetizing too. It’s so easy to get into a rut and just do the same thing over and over again. I love this idea
Sandra L Garth says
I guess we do have to start thinking about fall and this is a delicious way to do it!
Donna @ Modern on Monticello says
Cheese balls are fabulous any way you make them. Thanks for sharing a great recipe for Fall parties. #HomeMattersParty
Helen at the Lazy Gastronome says
Perfectly put together!! Great instructions. Thanks for sharing at the What’s for Dinner party! Have a fantastic week.
Felicity Frankish says
I actually made this one for my daughter’s 1st birthday. So tasty and looked so amazing!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit says
That is so clever!!! I must do that at my Christmas Party this year
Amy-The Speedy Spatula says
Now how cute is this! Saving this to do for Christmas parties this year!
Judith A. Graber says
Cheese balls are always a sure hit with everyone. Now, if you can make it really pretty or with a little character like you did is all the better. Thanks for coming to the party and sharing with Fiesta Friday.
Rita says
Something cute, something to try. I have almonds all the time.
Thanks – Friday Fiesta rocks.
Have a very Happy Thanksgiving.
Rita
Jenny walters says
How cute is this?!! I just love it and just perfect for Xmas! Thank you for sharing with #FiestaFriday
M. Susan Guerrero Light says
Thank you so much for the wonderful post.
As an aside, if you do decide to add the luster dust, please make sure you use one that is completely edible and FDA approved. A lot of the ones on Amazon are non toxic, but that doesn’t mean they are edible.