Snowy Pinecone Centerpiece

# Ingredient List:

→ Pinecone Base

01 - 9 ounces soft cheese wedge (cream cheese or goat cheese)

02 - 1 tablespoon sour cream or Greek yogurt

03 - 1 teaspoon fresh herbs, finely chopped (chives, dill, or parsley, optional)

04 - ½ teaspoon garlic powder

05 - Salt, to taste

06 - Black pepper, to taste

→ Outer Layer

07 - 1½ cups sliced almonds or thin crisp crackers (melba toasts, broken into shards)

→ Garnish & Surroundings

08 - 1 cup seedless red grapes

09 - 1 cup seedless green grapes

10 - 1 cup assorted crackers

11 - ½ cup fresh rosemary sprigs

12 - 2 tablespoons powdered sugar

# Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine soft cheese, sour cream or yogurt, herbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper. Mix until smooth and uniform.

02 - Transfer the cheese mixture onto a serving platter and mold into a large, elongated oval or cone shape resembling a pinecone.

03 - Starting from the base, press sliced almonds or cracker shards into the cheese, overlapping in rows to mimic pinecone scales. Cover entire surface ascending upwards.

04 - Surround the pinecone with red and green grapes, assorted crackers, and rosemary sprigs to create a festive display.

05 - Just before serving, lightly sift powdered sugar over the pinecone and surrounding elements for a snowy effect.

06 - Present as a centerpiece allowing guests to break off almond or cracker scales or scoop cheese with crackers.

# Tips from the Pros:

01 -

It's a conversation starter that actually tastes amazing—your guests won't believe they can eat the centerpiece
Zero cooking involved means you can prep it hours ahead and just dust it with powdered sugar before serving
It looks far more impressive than the 30 minutes it takes to make, giving you that chef's magic moment
Naturally vegetarian and easily customizable for dietary preferences

02 -

Room temperature cheese is non-negotiable. Cold cheese will fight you every step of the way and crack when you try to shape it. Let it sit out for 30 minutes minimum.
Press the almond scales firmly enough that they stick, but gently enough that you don't compress the cheese underneath. Think of it as tucking something in, not hammering it.
Apply the powdered sugar at the very last moment before serving. If you do it too early, the moisture in the cheese will absorb it and you'll lose that fresh snowy effect.
This centerpiece will stay fresh for about 2 hours at room temperature. If your party runs longer, you can refrigerate it for another few hours, but let it come back to room temperature before serving to keep the cheese soft enough for people to actually eat it.

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