Make the most festive appetizer this holiday with the Christmas Tree Cheese Board Appetizer! It’s easy to create and makes a stunning presentation to impress your guests.
Christmas is almost here, so it’s time for family, friends, and of course, food! This Christmas Tree Cheese Board is a fun and easy appetizer to serve.
This festive holiday appetizer is perfect for any Christmas gathering, from a casual get-together to an elegant dinner party.
Christmas Tree Cheese Board Appetizer
The most wonderful time of the year deserves the most wonderful appetizer! And this Christmas Tree Cheese Board is easy to assemble and looks like a festive masterpiece.
The cheese and grapes, arranged in a perfect Christmas tree shape, and the red and green colors added to the festive feel. What could be better? I can guarantee that your guests will love this holiday appetizer.
You can also choose your favorite cheeses and include other toppings such as crackers, fruit, or nuts. Customize your cheese board for any party theme or preference.
The key to making this appetizer is arranging the cheese and grapes in a tree shape. Yes, you can use any type of cheese and grapes you like, but I recommend using a variety of colors to make the Christmas tree look festive.
So don’t wait any longer, start planning your Christmas party menu today, and include this easy and impressive Christmas Tree Cheese Platter!
Love this Christmas cheese plate? Try our Cheese & Charcuterie Board for New Year’s Eve!
Christmas Tree Appetizer Ingredients
- Colby Jack Cheese
- Cheddar cheese
- Monterey Jack cheese
- Green grapes
- Red grapes
- Fresh thyme springs
- Fresh rosemary stems
- Celery
Recipe Notes
- Cheeses are cut into 3/4 inch cubes or triangles, and grapes should be separated from the stems.
- To make this appetizer recipe even easier, look for precut cheese cubes. I have purchased them ready-cut from Costco, Sam’s Club, and Target.
Equipment Needed
- Large Charcuterie board or platter
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How to Make Christmas Tree Appetizer
Preparation. Start by stacking the cheddar cheese cubes in a row. Then, stack a row of green grapes under the cheese. As you do this, the cheese and grape rows will widen. See images below for examples.
Assemble the tree. Follow this order from top to bottom to create a cheese and grape board:
- cheddar cheese
- green grapes
- Monterey Jack cheese
- red grapes
- Colby Jack cheese
- green grapes
- cheddar cheese
- red grapes
- Colby Cheese
Assemble in rows on a platter or cheese board to resemble the shape of a Christmas tree.
Make the topper. Then add a red grape on top, surrounded by green grapes to make the tree topper.
Add garnish. Arrange the thyme springs and rosemary springs around the grapes on the platter as shown in the recipe photo.
Add the trunk. Cut the celery stalk into two-inch pieces and then put it at the bottom to create the tree trunk.
Cover it and keep it in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it with your favorite crackers.
Recipe Variations
- Use different types of cheeses, fruits, herbs, and other accompaniments to create a unique look.
- You can also make it into a Christmas wreath instead of a tree by forming the cheese, grapes, and herbs in a circle shape.
- Add cracker sticks, olives, and other garnishes to the Christmas cheese plate for added color and texture.
- Make this a Christmas tree charcuterie board by adding cured meats, nuts, and seeds.
How to Serve
This is a perfect appetizer to serve at any holiday party. Just set the Christmas cheese board on a large serving plate/platter and then place it in the center of your table. Then, let everyone enjoy!
This appetizer is best served with crackers, pretzels, or sliced baguettes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make the Christmas cheese plate the day before and keep it in a fridge until ready to serve.
Cheese can last up to four hours on a cheese board. We recommend serving the Christmas tree cheese platter within one hour of assembling it to ensure the best texture and flavor.
It is best to cut cheese cold for the best texture. Cold cheese will hold its shape better and it won’t stick or smush when you try to cut it.
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Get the Full Christmas Tree Appetizer Recipe Below
Christmas Tree Appetizer Cheese Board
Equipment
- 12 x 18 inch platter or board
Ingredients
- 12 ounce block Colby Jack Cheese cut into 3/4 inch cubes or triangles
- 8 ounce block cheddar cheese, cut into 3/4 inch cubes or triangles
- 4 ounce block Monterey Jack cheese cut into 3/4 inch cubes or triangles
- 1 pound green grapes separated from the stems
- 1 pound red grapes separated from the stems
- 1 container fresh thyme springs
- 1 container fresh rosemary stems
- 1 stalk celery
Instructions
- Start with the cheddar cheese, stacking the cheese cubes in a row (start with 8 cubes, then adjusts), then stack a row of green grapes (start with about 12, then adjust) under the cheese on your serving platter or board. The cheese rows and grape rows will widen as you go.
- Follow this order to create cheese and grape board: cheddar cheese, green grapes, Monterey Jack cheese, red grapes, Colby Jack cheese, green grapes, cheddar cheese, red grapes, and Colby Cheese shown in rows on a platter or cheese board to resemble a Christmas tree shape.
- Then add a red grape on top, surrounded by green grapes to make the tree topper. Arrange the thyme springs and rosemary springs throughout the grapes on the platter as shown in the recipe photo.
- Cut the celery stalk in 2 inches and place it at the bottom to create the tree trunk. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve with your favorite crackers.
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