Classic Cheese Pinecones Recipe - Easy Appetizer

Cheese Pinecones

YIELD Makes 12 to 16 appetizer servings

INGREDIENTS

2 cups (8 ounces) shredded Swiss cheese 1/2 cup butter or margarine, softened 3 tablespoons milk 2 tablespoons dry sherry or milk 1/8 teaspoon ground red pepper 1 cup finely chopped blanched almonds 3/4 cup slivered blanched almonds 3/4 cup sliced almonds 1/2 cup whole almonds Fresh rosemary sprig for garnish Assorted crackers

PREPARATION:

1. Beat cheese, butter, milk, sherry and red pepper in medium bowl until smooth; stir in chopped almonds.
2. Divide mixture into 3 equal portions; shape each into tapered oval to resemble pinecone. Insert slivered, sliced or whole almonds into each cone. Cover; refrigerate 2 to 3 hours or until firm.
3. Arrange Cheese Pinecones on wooden board or serving plate. Garnish tops with rosemary. Serve with assorted crackers.

This recipe appears in: Cheese Appetizers