Cheese Christmas Trees Recipe
Introduction
These Cheese Christmas Trees are a festive and fun appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Made with creamy Laughing Cow cheese wedges coated in a colorful mix of pistachios, rosemary, and cranberries, they look like little edible Christmas trees. They’re simple to make and sure to impress your guests.
Ingredients
- 16 wedges Laughing Cow Cheese, from 2 packages, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup salted and roasted shelled pistachios, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 8 small pretzel sticks, broken into 2 pieces each
Instructions
- Step 1: Finely chop the rosemary, pistachios, and dried cranberries until the pieces are very small. Combine them on a dessert plate or shallow bowl to create the coating mix.
- Step 2: Gently insert one pretzel stick piece into the bottom end of each Laughing Cow wedge to serve as the tree trunk. Take care not to break the wedges.
- Step 3: Press each cheese wedge into the coating mixture, making sure the pistachio-rosemary-cranberry blend sticks evenly to all visible surfaces.
- Step 4: Arrange the finished cheese trees on a serving platter and serve immediately for best crispness of the pretzels.
Tips & Variations
- To avoid splitting the cheese, gently insert pretzel sticks or pre-make a small hole with a toothpick before inserting.
- Chop coating ingredients very finely so they adhere nicely and the trees look polished.
- You can assemble wedges and coatings up to 4 hours ahead, but add pretzel sticks just before serving to keep them crisp.
Storage
Store any assembled cheese trees without the pretzels covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Add pretzel sticks just before serving to maintain their crunch. Leftover cheese can be kept in an airtight container for up to a week.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of cheese for this recipe?
While Laughing Cow cheese works best for its creamy texture and wedge shape, you can try soft cheeses like cream cheese in a similar wedge or triangle shape. Just make sure it’s firm enough to hold the pretzel “trunk.”
How do I keep the pretzel sticks from getting soggy?
Insert the pretzel sticks just before serving and avoid refrigeration once inserted. This keeps the pretzels crisp and crunchy for your guests.
PrintCheese Christmas Trees Recipe
Celebrate the holiday season with these adorable Cheese Christmas Trees made from creamy Laughing Cow cheese wedges coated with a festive mix of finely chopped pistachios, rosemary, and dried cranberries, all balanced by crunchy pretzel sticks acting as tree trunks. This no-cook appetizer is perfect for holiday parties and easy to assemble, delivering a beautiful and delicious snack that’s both elegant and fun.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 16 cheese trees 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cheese Trees
- 16 wedges Laughing Cow Cheese, from 2 packages, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup salted and roasted shelled pistachios, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 8 small pretzel sticks, broken into 2 pieces each
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating Mix: Finely chop the fresh rosemary, salted pistachios, and dried cranberries into very small pieces to ensure they stick well to the cheese. Combine these chopped ingredients in a shallow bowl or dessert plate and mix thoroughly to create an even coating blend.
- Add the Tree Trunks: Gently insert one piece of a pretzel stick into the bottom end of each Laughing Cow cheese wedge, pushing carefully to avoid breaking the soft cheese. These will serve as the trunks of the Christmas trees.
- Coat the Cheese Wedges: Press each cheese wedge firmly but gently into the prepared pistachio-rosemary-cranberry coating mixture, covering all visible surfaces to give a festive, textured green and red appearance like a decorated Christmas tree.
- Serve and Display: Arrange the decorated cheese trees attractively on a serving platter and serve immediately for best freshness and pretzel crunchiness.
Notes
- Pretzel Stick Tip: To prevent splitting the cheese wedges, gently insert pretzel sticks or create a small pilot hole using a toothpick or skewer before inserting the sticks.
- Coating Ingredients: Make sure pistachios, cranberries, and rosemary are chopped finely enough for the coating to adhere evenly and look polished on the cheese wedges.
- Make Ahead Option: You can assemble the cheese wedges with coatings up to 4 hours ahead, but add the pretzel stick trunks just before serving to maintain their crisp texture.
Keywords: Cheese Christmas Trees, holiday appetizer, festive cheese recipe, Christmas cheese platter, Laughing Cow appetizer, no-cook holiday snack
