With just 2 ingredients and 2 simple garnishes, this Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Appetizer is an easy way to add some festive holiday cheer to any party or get together!
This year, I decided that I am going to spend the holidays this year focusing on family, fun and of course, food! Since I want to savor every minute, it is pretty much going to be no-fuss holiday food on repeat. And you better believe this SERIOUSLY easy appetizer will be spotted at every holiday event I host or attend!
Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Appetizer
This super easy holiday appetizer starts with a block of cream cheese. Keep it cold so it cuts easily and isn’t too messy to handle. Make one diagonal cut from an upper corner to an opposite lower corner of the block of cream cheese. Gently press the straight edges of each half together (the dotted line shown in the picture below) and smooth the surface of the cream cheese to create the shape of a Christmas tree!
Use a blend of your favorite herbs to coat the outside of the cream cheese Christmas tree: fresh herbs, dried herbs or my new favorite, lightly dried herbs! I used a mix of dill, chives, parsley and basil.
Use your fingers to press the herbs onto the top and sides of the cream cheese Christmas tree. I love the texture created by all the different colors, shapes and sizes of the herbs.
Next, add a cheddar cheese star to the top of the tree. I hand cut a star out of a slice of cheddar cheese because I couldn’t find my mini star cookie cutter. A cookie cutter would make it easier, but I don’t mind the ‘hand crafted’ star on the top 🙂
Finally, tuck a pecan half into the bottom of the cream cheese Christmas tree for the trunk.
I served this Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Appetizer with crackers, but you could use pita chips, pretzels, toasted baguette rounds or even fresh veggies. The herby cream cheese is pretty delicious spread on just about anything!
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With just 2 ingredients and 2 simple garnishes, this Cream Cheese Christmas Tree Appetizer is an easy way to add some festive holiday cheer to any party or get together!
Ingredients
- 1 8 oz. block of cream cheese ((cold, not softened))
- 1/3 cup of your favorite herbs ((I used chives, dill, basil, parsley.))
- 1 star shaped piece cheddar cheese
- 1 pecan half
Instructions
- Using a sharp knife, make a diagonal cut from one upper corner to the opposite lower corner on a block of cream cheese. This will result in two triangles.
- Gently press the straight, flat edges of the two cream cheese triangles together to form a Christmas tree shape.
- Press the herbs onto the top and sides of the cream cheese tree.
- Add a cheddar cheese star to the top of the tree.
- Add a pecan half trunk to the bottom of the tree.
- Refrigerate until serving. Serve with crackers, pita, pretzels, toasted baguette rounds or fresh veggies.
I really love the bright fresh herbaceous flavor from all of those herbs pressed into the tangy cream cheese. This holiday appetizer is simple and inexpensive, so you can stock up on all of the ingredients to keep on hand for last minute entertaining or family movie night!
Before you head to the grocery store, pin this to your holiday entertaining, Christmas recipes or appetizer Pinterest board!
More Easy Holiday Appetizers!
Click on each picture to go to the recipe post!
JaneEllen says
Oh Yum this food is making me drool, looks so good. Where do you find time to do all this awesome cooking when you work full time with a family? Gyess I used to cook and bake a lot when all 4 of our kids were growing up but where I found the time who knows. Seems like there was always a house full of kids friends, used to congregate at our house especially at mealtime. I miss all that, the kids friends were great kids.When they all got older (out of teen years) we went to CO river north of Yuma, AZ when we lived in San Diego area.
All your goodies always look and sound so good.
Happy daze
keri @shaken together says
Hi Jane Ellen! I do work full time, so my weekends are jam packed with fun recipes … my friends, coworkers and family don’t mind a bit 😉 It is definitely fun to cook for a crowd and these days, it seems there is always a friendly face or two joining us! Happy holidays, sweet friend!
[email protected] says
That looks so yummy and what a nice change from the typical ball o’ cheese!! pinning for later!
★★★★★
keri @ shaken together says
It’s really easy and so delicious! Plus, it’s festive! Happy holidays, Jocie!!
Marie says
What a super festive holiday appetizer idea! I love it when you can add “decor” to your table with the food you serve. Thanks so much for sharing your recipe with us at Merry Monday this week!