Looking to add a festive and unforgettable touch to your holiday party spread? This Pine Cone Cheese Ball is the perfect cheese ball recipe to impress your guests. It combines delicious flavor with an adorable presentation. Shaped to resemble a real pine cone, it is studded with whole almonds for texture and flair. It isn’t just eye-catching; it’s also packed with rich, savory flavor that pairs beautifully with crackers, veggies, or even sliced baguette.
Whether you’re hosting a cozy family gathering, throwing a holiday open house, or bringing a dish to a festive potluck, this cheese ball brings the wow factor. It doesn’t require hours in the kitchen. It starts with a creamy blend of cheeses and seasonings. You can easily customize this to suit your taste. Then comes the fun part—shaping and decorating it to look like a woodland pine cone. Additionally, you should add a few sprigs of rosemary for a fresh, fragrant garnish. In the end, you’ve got a centerpiece-worthy appetizer. It tastes as amazing as it looks.
It’s festive, fun, and surprisingly simple to make. Ready to take your holiday appetizers to the next level? This Pine Cone Cheese Ball is the showstopper you’ve been looking for!

Pine Cone Cheese Ball Appetizer
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cups almonds
- 8 oz cream cheese
- â…“ cup crumbled bacon pieces
- 1 jalapeño diced and seeds removed
- ½ cup pepper jack cheese grated
- ½ cup cheddar cheese grated
- Salt and pepper
- Optional: sprigs of rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Combine cream cheese, bacon bits, diced jalapeño, and grated cheese in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Using clean hands, work the ingredients together to create a large ball.
- Chill overnight in a covered bowl to allow flavors to blend.
- On a serving platter, divide cheese mixture into 2 portions and shape each into a pine cone. This works best by simply using your hands to roll each portion into a ball, then gently squeezing on end downwards to create somewhat of a narrow point.
- Press the almonds at a slight angle into the cheese, starting at the narrow end of the pine cone shape. Continue to overlap rows until all of the cheese is covered.
- Garnish with rosemary sprigs, and serve at room temperature with crackers or toasted crostini.
Notes
Nutrition
This Pine Cone Cheese Ball recipe is sure to add joy and flavor to your celebrations. Embrace the holiday spirit with each delicious bite, and watch as this whimsical creation becomes a conversation starter at your gatherings. Feel free to get creative with your presentation – consider pairing it with a variety of crackers, vegetables, or artisanal bread. Furthermore, the beauty of this recipe lies not only in its delicious taste but also in the memories it helps create. So, gather your loved ones, share some laughter, and savor the season’s magic with a Pine Cone Cheese Ball that’s as delightful to make as it is to enjoy. Lastly, cheers to good food, good company, and the simple pleasures that make the holidays truly special. Wishing you a festive and flavor-packed celebration ahead!
So beautiful I dont want to touch it! lol. This is going to be one of my features at http://www.fabifabu.com/2016/12/04/inspiration-galore-project-party-. Thanks for sharing hope to see you again and again.
These are so cute. I’m glad that I came to the Link Party Palooza and happened to see them. I am going to make one of these for a party this weekend. Thanks for sharing.
These are so festive!
Brilliant idea!
Thanks
Michelle
This sounds like the perfect appetizer for Christmas or anytime of the year! Thanks for sharing on Full Plate Thursday 🙂
This is so lovely. Thanks for sharing with small victories.
This is just fab! I hope you bring it over to Food on Friday: Cherries & Almonds. Cheers from Carole’s Chatter
What a great idea. they look too good to eat!
This sounds so yummy. PInned & shared. Thanks for joining the Inspiration Spotlight party.
Love these! They look great and I’m sure they are delicious. Pinning!
I just pinned your awesome Pine Cone Cheese Ball to my Appetizers, can’t wait to make it!  Hope  you are having a great day and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Come Back Soon!
Miz Helen
What an awesome idea! It’s great to have a different recipe. I’m going to try it!
Looking out for something to bring to a potluck..this looks quite festive!
So adorable! I think this would look great on a holiday appetizer platter!
Wow a great way to make an impression, and it sounds like it would be delish, too! Must do!
This sounds delicious, and it is so festive to look at. I love that you showed us the picture of the cheese ball before you put the almonds on, too, to show us the shape better.
How cute is that cheeseball?
This is SO cute!! Can’t wait to try it. Thanks for sharing 🙂
This is such a great idea and so cute! Thanks for sharing!
This Pine Cone Cheese Ball Appetizer is a wonderful and unique idea. I would love to make this and it seems delicious too! My family would be impressed!
We always make a cheeseball during the holidays. Thanks for the pinecone shaped inspiration!
That is so cute, and looks really yummy!
Cute and simple- my idea for the perfect party snack! Thanks for sharing!
This is really so pretty too! I just love the idea!
This looks great! pinning it. Have a great week 🙂
These are so awesome looking. I’m going to have to try this.