Almond Pinecones

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups whole natural almonds

1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened

1/2 cup mayonnaise

5 bacon slices, crisply cooked & crumbled

1 tablespoon green onion, chopped

1/2 teaspoon dill weed

1/8 teaspoon crushed black pepper

pine sprigs, for garnish

Directions:

Spread almonds in a single layer in a shallow pan. Bake at 300 degrees for 15 minutes, stirring often, until almonds just begin to turn color.

In a mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and mayonnaise; mix well. Add bacon, onion, dill and pepper; mix well. Cover; chill overnight.

Form cheese mixture into shapes of two pinecones on serving platter. Beginning at narrow end, press almonds at slight angle into cheese mixture in rows. Continue overlapping rows until all cheese is covered. Garnish with pine sprigs at top. Serve with variety of crackers.