Christmas Cheese Tree
User Reviews
4.2
Christmas Cheese Tree
Description
The Christmas Cheese Tree brings together softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar mixed with grated onion, ground mustard, and red pepper sauce. After chilling until firm, the cheese mixture is shaped into one or two cone shapes resembling a Christmas tree. Rolled in finely chopped parsley to cover, the 'tree' is adorned with pine nuts arranged like garland and chopped red or yellow bell pepper pieces for ornaments. A star shape made from a cheddar slice or lemon peel tops the tree for a final festive touch. This appetizer offers a creamy, tangy, and mildly sharp profile with visual appeal suitable for holiday entertaining. Serving it with assorted crackers allows guests to spread the cheese easily while enjoying the decorative presentation.
Ingredients
- 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese softened
- 4 cups cheddar cheese 16 ounces, shredded
- 2 tablespoons onion grated
- 1/2 /2 teaspoon ground mustard (dry)
- 5 or 6 or 6 drops red pepper sauce
- Have ready at serving time:
- 1 cup parsley finely chopped
- 1/2 /2 cup pine nuts
- 1/4 /4 cup red bell pepper or yellow too, chopped
- crackers assorted, for serving
- cheddar cheese optional, slice, for star
- lemon peel optional, slice, for star
Instructions
- Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion, mustard and pepper sauce until well combined. If making two trees divide in half or if making one just leave whole. Refrigerate until firm enough to shape.
- Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet. Shape each half into cone shape to look like Christmas tree or one big tree if that's what you choose. Roll trees in parsley, pressing parsley evenly onto trees. Press pine nuts onto trees in string form for garland. Press bell pepper pieces onto trees for ornaments. Top each tree with star shape cut from a slice of cheddar cheese or a lemon peel. Serve with crackers.
Notes
- Shape the cheese mixture and freeze up to one month ahead for convenient preparation; thaw in the refrigerator for one day before decorating.
- Decorate the tree just before serving to maintain fresh appearance and texture of parsley and toppings.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.2
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