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These Christmas tree appetizers are my favorite way to wow my guests during the holidays. Creamy feta and crisp cucumbers create a perfect contrast. Then, yellow tomatoes add a pop of color and sweetness while fresh basil adds a bright, refreshing touch.
The perfect centerpiece, these Christmas trees make any table fun and festive while providing a lighter contrast to all the rich treats, like my Nutella Christmas tree and White chocolate berry snowmen.
Recipe Tip
If you are short on time, make a few bites and place them on a cocktail stick with basil. Yum.
Every year when I host holiday parties, these Christmas trees are a staple on my appetizer table. They’re the perfect accompaniment to my Christmas tree charcuterie board, Christmas grazing platter, and Cheese board Christmas tree, making for a truly impressive spread.
However, this is also a great recipe to set out for afternoon snacking and is an easy way to get kids to actually eat their veggies. With no need to turn on the oven, the dish comes together quickly and can be adjusted with various cheeses, herbs, and toppings if you want to make it your own.
Christmas Tree Appetizers Ingredients
Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card below for the complete details!
- Cucumber: I use an English cucumber. Make sure it’s as straight as possible for a symmetrical look.
- Feta: Buy blocks of feta for the best taste.
- Cherry tomatoes: Use red or yellow as you prefer. Halve them and arrange them last to mimic Christmas ‘baubles’.
- Yellow pepper: You need a small piece for the top star.
- Fresh basil: To garnish.
- Seasoning: Sea salt and pepper to balance the flavors.
How to Make Christmas Tree Appetizers
- Prepare the cucumber pieces: Slice and cut into squares with a cookie cutter. Arrange the pieces in the shape of a Christmas tree.
- Fill the cucumber with feta cutouts.
- Garnish with fresh basil and season well.
- Add the final touches: Top the tree with halved cherry tomatoes, a yellow pepper star, and add cucumber cube gifts (make the ribbon with cucumber peel), and a feta trunk at the base of the tree.
Possible Variations
- Cucumber: Kiwi could work for a fruit-based board (and watermelon if you don’t mind the tree being red).
- Feta: Swap for cream cheese, goat cheese, or cheddar.
- Yellow cherry tomatoes: Or red.
- Yellow pepper: Green or red pepper.
- Fresh basil: Dill, green onions, or parsley.
- Toppings: Crispy bacon or chopped pistachios for texture, caramelized onion, capers, pesto, ranch dressing, balsamic glaze, or hot honey.
How to Store Leftovers
Keep them in an airtight container and enjoy within 2 days.
FAQs
Yes, it’s the perfect bite to prepare a few hours ahead. Arrange it directly on the serving plate, cover it with plastic wrap, and store in the fridge until serving.
Omit the ribbons. They will still look like little gifts.
Sure, plate them in rows instead of a tree shape, and omit the star and gifts.
I made mine 5-4-4-3-2-1, but you can do 4-4-3-2-1 or even 4-3-2-1. Don’t forget to make room for the trunk, too.
More Christmas Appetizers
Christmas
Holiday Charcuterie Board
Christmas
Christmas Party Dip
Appetizers
Cherry Tomato Appetizers
Christmas
Christmas Charcuterie
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Christmas Tree Appetizers
Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
- 300 grams feta
- 5 cherry tomatoes, yellow
- 1 yellow pepper
- 19 fresh basil leaves
- sea salt, to taste
- pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Cut slices of cucumber. Make sure they are approximately the same width.
- Use the square cutter to make a symmetrical hole in the center of the cucumber slices.
- Now, cut square pieces of feta, and place these into the cucumber.
- Assemble the feta and cucumber pieces in the shape of a tree.
- Arrange the basil and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and top as baubles.
- Cut out a yellow pepper star with the star cutter and place it at the top of the tree.
- Slice some feta for the trunk.
- Use the remaining cucumber squares to make little gifts to place under the tree.
- You can slice cucumber peel strips to make the gift ribbon.
- Serve.
Video
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
