Christmas Tree Appetizer
Create a festive Christmas tree appetizer with colorful cheeses, grapes, and herbs. Easy to assemble and perfect for holiday gatherings or brunch spreads.
Servings: 12 servings
Calories: 276kcal
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.
Notes
- Keep ingredients fresh and vibrant: To prevent grapes and cheese from drying out, assemble your Christmas tree appetizer close to serving time. If prepping ahead, cover the platter tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to display.
- Add festive touches for extra charm: Use small star cookie cutters to shape cheeses or stack extra ingredients like cherry tomatoes and herbs as edible ornaments. Little details make this appetizer feel even more special on your holiday table.
- You can also make it into a Christmas wreath instead of a tree by forming the cheese, grapes, and herbs in a circle shape. Perfect centerpiece to your holiday spread.
- Add cracker sticks, olives, and other garnishes to the Christmas cheese plate for added color and texture.
- Use different types of cheeses, fruits like pineapple, raspberries, oranges, apples, or blueberries, herbs as garnish (parsley, rosemary sprigs), and other accompaniments to create a unique fruit tree look.
- Use a small star cookie cutter to cut cheese and add it to the last row of your Christmas fruit tray.
- Easy to prep ahead and store in the fridge, cover the board, and keep it in the fridge until you're ready to serve it with your favorite crackers.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 276kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 14g | Fat: 19g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 54mg | Sodium: 385mg | Potassium: 203mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 12g | Vitamin A: 594IU | Vitamin C: 2mg | Calcium: 406mg | Iron: 1mg