Pineapple Green Pepper Cheese Ball

This cheese ball has a unique combination of ingredients making it a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and a big hit for any gathering. This has been a classic at holiday dinners with my family for years, and we especially love it with crispy wheat crackers. To make it extra festive, we decorate it with whole almonds and greenery to make it look like a pine cone!

This cheese ball has a unique combination of ingredients making it a little bit sweet, a little bit savory, and a big hit for any gathering. This has been a classic at holiday dinners with my family for years, and we especially love it with crispy wheat crackers. To make it extra festive, we decorate it with whole almonds and greenery to make it look like a pine cone!
Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.
Ingredients
¼ teaspoon kosher salt
¼ teaspoon paprika
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup green pepper, finely chopped
2 tablespoons onion, finely chopped
8 ounces crushed pineapple, drained
2 cups chopped walnuts
1 ½ cups whole almonds (optional—for pine cone design)
Greenery such as rosemary stems or real pine stems (optional—for pine cone design)
Crackers or sliced veggies for serving (we recommend crispy wheat crackers)
Directions
- Use a mixer on medium speed to beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the salt, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder.
- Fold in the green pepper, onion, pineapple and chopped walnuts. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour.
- Shape into a ball or (optional) into the oblong shape of a pine cone.
- (Optional) Cover the outside of the cheese ball with almonds to resemble a pine cone and add greenery garnish.
- Refrigerate for several hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with your favorite crackers or sliced veggies.
Directions
Prevent your screen from going dark as you follow along.
- Use a mixer on medium speed to beat the cream cheese until smooth. Mix in the salt, paprika, onion powder and garlic powder.
- Fold in the green pepper, onion, pineapple and chopped walnuts. Cover and refrigerate for about an hour.
- Shape into a ball or (optional) into the oblong shape of a pine cone.
- (Optional) Cover the outside of the cheese ball with almonds to resemble a pine cone and add greenery garnish.
- Refrigerate for several hours to allow the flavors to meld. Serve with your favorite crackers or sliced veggies.