Pinecone Spinach-Cheese Spread

Name: Pinecone Spinach-Cheese Spread
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 140 min
Yield: 18
Ingredients: 1 cup baby spinach leaves; 2 Tbsp. olive oil; 1 clove garlic; 1 pkg. brick cream cheese, softened; 1 pkg. shredded Italian cheese blend; 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese; ⅓ cup sliced almonds, toasted; RITZ Crackers

Celebrate with a cleaver - and delicious - cheese spread that is studded with almond slices to look like a festive pinecone. Best of all, it just takes 20 min. of prep!

Prep time:

0 min

Total time:

0 h 0 min

Servings:

Makes 18 servings, 2 Tbsp. spread and 5 crackers each.

Ingredient list

1 cup tightly packed baby spinach leaves
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 clove garlic
1 pkg. (8 oz.) brick cream cheese, softened
1 pkg. (8 oz.) shredded Italian cheese blend
2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup sliced almonds, toasted
RITZ Crackers

Directions

Process spinach, oil and garlic in food processor until blended. Add next 3 ingredients; mix well.

Shape into 4-inch oval on sheet of waxed paper.

Insert nuts in rows into cream cheese mixture to resemble pinecone as shown in photo.

Refrigerate 2 hours. Serve with crackers.

Recipe Tips

Size-Wise
Enjoy eating appetizers at a social occasion, but be mindful of portion size so you don't overdo it on calories.
For a Festive Touch
In addition to the RITZ Crackers, serve cheese spread with an assortment of your favorite NABISCO crackers, such as TRISCUIT Crackers or WHEAT THINS Original Snacks.
Special Extra
Mix 1 tsp. hot pepper sauce into cream cheese mixture before shaping as directed.