Pinecone Cheese Ball

Prep: 10 min., Chill: 2 hrs.

Yield: Makes 8 to 10 appetizer servings

Ingredients

• 1  package cream cheese, softened
• 1  (3-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 2  (3-ounce) cans deviled ham
• 1  (0.7-ounce) envelope Italian dressing mix
• 1  (6-ounce) can whole smoked or unsalted almonds
• Assorted crackers and fresh vegetables
• Garnish: fresh rosemary sprigs

Preparation

Combine cream cheese, deviled ham, and dressing mix until well blended. Cover and chill 1 hour.

Form mixture into a pinecone shape, using hands and plastic wrap. Starting at the bottom, press almonds into cheese mixture at slight angles, forming overlapping rows to resemble a pinecone. Cover loosely, and chill 1 hour. Serve with crackers and vegetables. Garnish, if desired.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Hormel Cure 81 Deviled Ham.