Herbed Goat Cheese & Almond Pinecone
This elegant Herbed Goat Cheese & Almond Pinecone is the ultimate Christmas Eve appetizer — creamy, nutty, and full of fresh herbs, shaped into a festive pinecone that's perfect for holiday parties.
Ingredients
Cheese Mixture
- 8 oz goat cheese softened
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh thyme chopped
- 1 tbsp fresh rosemary chopped
- 1 tbsp honey
- 1 tsp olive oil
Decoration & Serving
- 1/2 cup toasted almonds whole, for decorating
- rosemary sprigs for garnish
- crackers or crostini for serving
Instructions
- In a bowl, mix goat cheese, cream cheese, chopped herbs, honey, and olive oil until smooth and creamy.
- Form the mixture into a pinecone-like shape on a serving plate. Chill in the refrigerator for 15–20 minutes until firm.
- Press toasted almonds into the surface, starting from the base and layering upwards to resemble a pinecone.
- Garnish with rosemary sprigs to mimic pine needles. Serve chilled with crackers or crostini.
Notes
- Make this appetizer a day in advance and refrigerate overnight.
- Swap almonds with pecans or walnuts if preferred.
- Fresh herbs work best for vibrant flavor and festive color.