Recipe: Almond Covered Pinecone-Cheese Spread (using cream cheese and bacon)

ALMOND COVERED PINECONE-CHEESE SPREAD

1 1/4 cup whole natural almonds
1 (8 oz) package cream cheese
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon dill weed
5 crisply cooked bacon slices, crumbled
1 Tablespoon green onion, chopped
1/8 teaspoon black pepper

Spread almonds in single layer in shallow pan.

Bake at 300 degrees F for 15-20 minutes, stirring often, until almonds begin to turn color. Remove from pan and cool. Place in a covered container.

Combine softened cream cheese and mayonnaise; mix well. Add bacon, green onion, dill weed and pepper; mix well. Cover. Chill overnight.

TO SHAPE AND SERVE:
Form cheese mixture into shapes of 2 pinecones (or one large pinecone) on a serving platter. Press almonds into mixture, beginning at narrow end of pinecone shape.

Makes 1 1/2 cups cheese spread
From: Ruth Hill
Source: Diamond Delights Cookbook, Southside Baptist Church in Lakeland, Florida