Snowy Pinecone Centerpiece (Printer View)

A large pinecone formed from almond slices and cheese, accented with powdered sugar and fresh grapes.

# What you'll need:

→ 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 (optional: chives, dill, parsley)
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 (e.g., 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

# Method:

01 - Combine soft cheese, sour cream or Greek yogurt, fresh herbs, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix until smooth and well combined.
02 - Transfer the cheese mixture onto a serving platter and mold it into a large oval or cone shape, resembling a pinecone.
03 - Starting at the base, press sliced almonds or cracker shards into the cheese, overlapping to mimic pinecone scales. Continue upward until entire surface is covered.
04 - Place seedless red and green grapes, assorted crackers, and rosemary sprigs around the pinecone to create a festive base.
05 - Lightly sift powdered sugar over the pinecone and surrounding garnishes just before serving for a snowy effect.
06 - Present the centerpiece for guests to break off scales or scoop cheese with crackers.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that doubles as an appetizer—your guests will be amazed it's actually edible and delicious
  • The combination of creamy cheese, crispy textures, and fresh herbs creates a sophisticated flavor that feels fancy but takes just 30 minutes
  • You can make it entirely vegetarian, gluten-free if needed, and it sits beautifully on the table for hours without wilting
02 -
  • The cheese must be soft enough to hold impressions but cold enough to maintain its shape. I learned this by trying it once when the cheese was too warm—everything slumped. Refrigerate for 15 minutes before assembling if needed.
  • Dust the powdered sugar at the absolute last moment before serving. Once it sits, humidity will dissolve it, and you'll lose that magical snowy effect that makes people gasp when they see it.
03 -
  • Make the cheese mixture a day ahead and refrigerate it in a bowl. Shaping and assembling takes just 20 minutes when you're ready to serve, which means less stress on party day.
  • If your kitchen is warm, work quickly and keep everything as cool as possible. A chilled platter makes all the difference in maintaining that perfect pinecone silhouette.
Return