Cream Cheese And Almond Pinecone Food

PINECONE CHEESE SPREAD

Steps:

• Process first 3 ingredients in food processor until blended. Stir in chiles.
• 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. Let stand at room temperature 15 min. before serving to soften slightly.

CREAM CHEESE AND ALMOND PINECONE

Steps:

• In a 350 degree oven toast the almonds in a single layer on a cookie sheet.
• Meanwhile, combine the room temperature cheeses. Mound the cheese mixture onto the serving platter and shape into a pinecone shape with a spreading knife. Beginning at the bottom, pointed end of the pinecone begin placing the toasted almonds in rows, overlapping them slightly as you build the rows. The almonds should have the tapered end pointing downward. When it is done it will look like a huge pinecone. Decorate with silk leaves or a bow. Serve with an assortment of crackers and festive spreading knives.

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.

PINECONE-SHAPED SPREAD

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the cream cheese, mayonnaise, bacon, onion, dill and pepper; chill. Form into two pinecone shapes on a serving platter. Beginning at the narrow end of each shape, arrange almonds in overlapping rows. Garnish with rosemary if desired. Serve with crackers or vegetables.

ALMOND BUTTER COOKIES WITH CREAM CHEESE

Steps:

• Cream sugar, butter, cream cheese until fluffy.
• Add egg and flavorings.
• Beat until smooth.
• Add flour and baking powder, mixing well.
• Drop dough by spoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheets and flatten with a flat bottomed drinking glass which has been dipped in sugar.
• OR: Force dough through a cookie press.
• OR: Chill dough 1 to 1 1/2 hours and roll out on lightly floured surface.
• Cut with cookie cutters.
• Bake at 375 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes, or slightly less if you like a not-so-crispy cookie.
• These cookies are best if they are not baked too brown.

CHEESE SPREAD PINECONE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and milk until smooth. Add the feta, mozzarella, onion and cayenne ; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2 hours or until firm., On a serving platter, form cheese mixture into a pinecone shape. Beginning at the narrow end, arrange almonds in overlapping rows. Add cinnamon stick and dill for the stem and pine needles. Serve with breadsticks, crackers and/or vegetables.

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.

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.