This simple Pine Cone Cheese Ball with Almonds is a fun Christmas Party Appetizer recipe for the holiday season!
Easy Pine Cone Cheese Ball Recipe
I featured this amazing Pine Cone Cheese Ball with Almonds Recipe several years ago in my 25 Creative Christmas Party Appetizer post.
The website that I featured it from years ago is no longer available. I loved this fun appetizer idea so much, that I recreated it here with my favorite Dill Cheese Ball recipe for you to enjoy.
Believe me, this fun food idea is always a big hit! Try making this cheese ball recipe for a Fall pot luck, Thanksgiving appetizer, or Christmas party. Plus, it’s gluten-free!
I love dill weed, but if you don’t like it, use whatever cheese ball recipe you like best.
A Pine Cone Cheese Ball is Always a Holiday Party Winner!
A pine cone cheese ball is so easy to make. It’s the perfect party food for the holiday season. Toasted almonds add richness to the flavor of this cheese ball making for an amazing savory treat! It’s a beautiful addition to a holiday menu.
Can I Make This Holiday Appetizer Ahead of Time For My Party?
Make this creative holiday cheese ball the day before and keep chilled in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve. Not only is this a perfect holiday appetizer, it saves you time on the day of your party!
How to Make a Pine Cone Cheese Ball
To make this holiday appetizer, you will need a mixture of cream cheese and savory ingredients like bacon, green onions, and fresh dill weed.
Once chilled and shaped, you’ll top the cheese ball with delicious roasted almonds. Then garnish with rosemary sprigs to give it the appearance of a fresh-cut pine tree.
More Great Holiday Party Appetizers!
- Snowman Cheese Ball
- Santa Cheese Ball
- Taco Potato Skins
- Dill Pickle Dip
- Instant Pot Spinach Dip
- Bacon Goat Cheese Pumpkin Dip
- The Best Italian Antipasto Bake
- Bacon and Chives Cheese Balls
- Christmas Tree Sausage Wraps
- Hot Beer Cheese Dip Pretzel Bowls
Print the Easy Cheese Ball Recipe
Everyone will love this simple to make party appetizer. Print this easy cheese ball recipe below.
I hope you love it! Let me know what you think in the comments below. If you make it, please share your photos on our Facebook Page or use the hashtag #LivingLocurto on Instagram. I’d love to see!!
Pine Cone Cheese Ball with Almonds
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz package cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup light mayonnaise
- 5 strips of bacon cooked crisp and crumbled
- 1 Tbsp diced green onion
- 1 tsp chopped fresh dill weed
- ⅛ tsp pepper
- 1 ¼ cup whole almonds toasted
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Spread almonds on a baking pan and bake for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally until golden. Let cool.
- Combine cream cheese and mayonnaise and mix well in a food processor or blender.
- Stir in the cooked bacon, green onion, dill weed and pepper.
- Cover and chill overnight.
- Shape the cheese mixture into two small pine cones on serving plate.
- Starting at the narrow end, place almonds into the cheese on a slight angle, forming rows.
- Garnish pine cone cheese ball with rosemary twigs to resemble pine needles.
- Serve with crackers.
Notes
Get Featured! If you make this recipe, share your photos on Instagram with the hashtag #LivingLocurto for a chance to get featured. 
Recipe Video
Nutrition
Originally published November 28, 2014–Updated July 2021
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Looking for more Thanksgiving or Christmas party appetizers? Here are some of my all time favorites.
Bacon Cheeseburger Dip Recipe
25 Holiday Party Recipe Ideas
I have just made this but used lacrosse free Philadelphia cream cheese. It seems very sticky and not line it will form 2 pinecones. I hope it firms up a bit overnight. Anyone else used lactose free and had it seem too soft?
It’s a lovely addition to my annual ladies Christmas coffee offerings! ALWAYS the showstopper. Used smokehouse almonds last year…like even better!
Love, love, love this idea! It will be perfect for the holidays. It’s super cute!
I made these last year for my book club and now they expect it every holiday gathering! So fun and tasty!!
This turned out absolutely beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing such a fun recipe for hosting!
I’ve been wanting to make this last Christmas, but something went wrong! I’m adding this to my Christmas meal planner and will sure watch the video!a
I began making this in the 1980’s after discovering it in a magazine, possibly “Southern Living.” Just wanted to let you know that it’s been around much longer than you think. Even after all these years, it’s still expected at our Thanksgiving & Christmas gatherings. One note: I always double the recipe for 1 big pine cone. ‘Small one doesn’t last long
Also, try smokehouse almonds for a taste treat. My son loves the flavor!
This is such a perfect idea for the holiday spread we make each Christmas eve!
Wonder , thanks Amy for the recipe, am gona try it now , but can I use any kind of cheese?
Thanks for the wonderful recipe and I will try it out. yummy
Ooooh yum!! These sound amazing! I love the flavor of those smokehouse almonds… and… you really can’t go wrong with cheese and bacon! ?
My kids help me make this every year. so good and adorable too.
So festive and cute! It sure brings a nice touch to a holiday spread and I love how easy it is to make!
STOP! This is the cutest thing ever!!! I love it!
This is such a fun way to serve cheese for the holidays!
What a creative idea for a classic cheeseball!! Love it!