Add a festive touch to your holiday table with this adorable Christmas Tree Cheese Platter! It’s easy to assemble, full of delicious cheeses and colorful toppings, and guaranteed to impress your guests. Perfect for holiday parties or a cozy family gathering, this platter is as fun to look at as it is to eat!
For more fun Christmas tree-shaped foods try these Christmas Tree Spinach Dip Breadsticks or. our recipe for a Pull Apart Christmas Tree Bread Appetizer.
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Why This Recipe Works
- Festive and Fun: Shaped like a Christmas tree, it’s a show-stopping centerpiece for any holiday table.
- Customizable: Mix and match your favorite cheeses, fruits, and nuts to suit your taste.
- Easy to Make: Quick to assemble, this platter is perfect for stress-free holiday entertaining.
🥘 Ingredients
- Colby Jack Cheese: A mild and creamy cheese with a marbled appearance, perfect for adding flavor and a pop of color to the platter.
- Gouda Cheese: Rich and buttery, this cheese brings a slightly nutty flavor that pairs beautifully with fruits and crackers.
- Cherry Tomatoes: Juicy and vibrant, these add a festive red touch to mimic ornaments on the tree.
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: Fragrant and green, rosemary not only enhances the presentation but also resembles the branches of a Christmas tree, adding a holiday vibe.
For the complete list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, please see the recipe card at the bottom of the post.
📖 Substitutions & Variations
- Sweet & Savory: Include chocolate squares or candied nuts for a touch of sweetness alongside the savory cheeses.
- Different Cheeses: Use Brie, cheddar, or mozzarella balls for a mix of textures and flavors.
- Fruit Tree: Incorporate green and red grapes, kiwi slices, or pomegranate seeds for a fruity twist.
- Veggie Platter: Swap out cheese for veggies like cucumber, broccoli florets, and red bell peppers for a healthy option.
- Charcuterie Touch: Add layers of thinly sliced meats like salami or prosciutto between the cheese and tomatoes.
🔪How To Make A Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
Step One: Cut the Colby Jack and Gouda cheeses into small, bite-sized cubes to make them easy to pick up and enjoy. Wash the cherry tomatoes thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean towel.
Step Two: On a large platter, start assembling your Christmas tree design by placing a layer of Gouda cheese cubes at the top to form the tree’s peak. Add a layer of cherry tomatoes directly below the Gouda to create a festive, colorful stripe.
Step Three: Follow with a layer of Colby Jack cheese cubes beneath the tomatoes, maintaining the tree shape as you work downward. Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs under the Colby Jack layer to add greenery and mimic tree branches.
Step Four: Repeat the pattern, alternating layers of Gouda.
Step Five: Again add a layer of cherry tomatoes.
Step Six: Add the layer of Colby Jack. Finish with a generous layer of rosemary sprigs at the bottom to create a lush, festive base for your tree. Serve and enjoy!
👩🍳 Expert Tips
- Choose Firm Cheeses: Use cheeses that hold their shape well, like Colby Jack, Gouda, or cheddar, for easier assembly.
- Keep It Fresh: Assemble the platter just before serving to ensure the cheese and garnishes stay fresh and vibrant.
- Vary Textures and Colors: Use contrasting colors and textures, like red cherry tomatoes and green herbs, to make the tree pop visually.
- Serve with Tongs or Picks: Provide small tongs or toothpicks for easy serving and to keep things tidy.
💭 FAQs
Not exactly! A platter is a general term for a large serving dish filled with foods, while a charcuterie board specifically features meats, cheeses, and accompaniments like fruits, nuts, and crackers. Think of a charcuterie board as a type of platter, but not all platters are charcuterie boards!
🧂Serving Suggestions
Here are some delicious ideas to serve alongside your Christmas Tree Cheese Platter:
- Crackers and Breadsticks: Offer a variety of crackers, Parmesan Breadsticks, or sliced baguettes for pairing with the cheese.
- Cured Meats: Add some prosciutto, salami, or pepperoni for a charcuterie-style spread.
- Fresh Fruits: Grapes, apple slices, or pear wedges complement the cheeses beautifully. You'll love these Cantaloupe Melon And Prosciutto Skewers.
- Dried Fruits and Nuts: Dried apricots, Figs, almonds, or Walnuts add texture and sweetness. Learn more here about walnuts by reading our article: Do Walnuts Go Bad?
- Dips and Spreads: Serve with honey, fig jam, or a tangy mustard for extra flavor. Try serving with Smoked Salmon Dip, Creamy Ranch Dressing or a Caramelized Onion Dip.
🍽 Related Recipes
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Christmas Tree cheese Platter
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Colby Jack cheese cubed
- 1 Cup Gouda cheese cubed
- ½ Cup Cherry tomatoes
- Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the Colby Jack and Gouda cheeses into small, bite-sized cubes to make them easy to pick up and enjoy. Wash the cherry tomatoes thoroughly and pat them dry with a clean towel.
- On a large platter, start assembling your Christmas tree design by placing a layer of Gouda cheese cubes at the top to form the tree’s peak. Add a layer of cherry tomatoes directly below the Gouda to create a festive, colorful stripe.
- Follow with a layer of Colby Jack cheese cubes beneath the tomatoes, maintaining the tree shape as you work downward. Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs under the Colby Jack layer to add greenery and mimic tree branches.
- Repeat the pattern, alternating layers of Gouda.
- Again add a layer of cherry tomatoes.
- Add the layer of Colby Jack. Finish with a generous layer of rosemary sprigs at the bottom to create a lush, festive base for your tree. Serve and enjoy!
