Pinecone Cheese Spread

Name: Pinecone Cheese Spread
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 2
Ingredients: 1 pkg. brick cream cheese, softened; 1 pkg. shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend; 2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard; 2 Tbsp. green chiles; ⅓ cup sliced almonds, toasted; RITZ Crackers

Cute, right? Squirrel this recipe away for your next party: A creamy mix of five cheeses plus Dijon mustard and almond slices are sure to have guests pining for more.

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 h 0 min

Servings:

Makes 2 cups spread, or 16 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 5 crackers each.

Ingredient list

1 pkg. (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened
1 pkg. (7 oz.) shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend
2 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
2 Tbsp. canned chopped green chiles
⅓ cup sliced almonds, toasted
RITZ Crackers

Directions

Process first 3 ingredients in food processor until blended. Stir in chiles.

Shape cream cheese mixture into 4-inch oval on sheet of waxed paper. Transfer to serving plate. Insert nuts in rows to resemble a pinecone as shown in photo.

Refrigerate 2 hours. Remove cheese spread from refrigerator 15 min. before serving. Let stand at room temperature to soften slightly.

Serve with crackers.

Recipe Tips

Size-WiseEach 2-Tbsp. serving of this spicy spread packs a flavor punch.
Variation Prepare using one of the following options: Serve with RITZ Snowflake Crackers. Or, add 1 tsp. hot pepper sauce to cream cheese mixture before shaping as directed.
Make AheadThis fun cheese spread can be refrigerated up to 5 days before serving as directed.