Recipe of the Week! Pinecone Cheese Ball

Over the holidays we did a bit of entertaining here and there. I came across this recipe here and I will definitely be making this one again, it was a big hit and very delicious.I think it looks so festive and pretty.  I think the leftovers would be great spread on a grilled burger. . . .

Ingredients:
1 1/4 cups whole natural almonds
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
3 crispy cooked bacon slices, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon dill weed (I used a little more)
Salt and pepper
1 tablespoon chopped green onion
Christmas greens or fresh rosemary for garnish

Directions:
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 cream cheese and the mayonnaise. Add the bacon, salt and pepper, dill, and onion. Chill overnight.

On a serving platter, make a pine cone shape 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 pine sprigs (can use from Christmas tree) or rosemary. Stick the garnish in the top of the pine cone as pictured above.

Serve at room temperature and spread on crackers.