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This festive Burrata Snowman caprese has got to be one of my favorite Christmas recipes. I first made it back in 2023 where it went viral on Instagram with over 16 million views. Since then, so many people have been remaking and loving this charming platter.

Two snowmen made out of burrata, peppercorns, carrot, and fresh basil are arranged on a platter and surrounded by cherry tomatoes and bocconcini snow.
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With cherry tomatoes, mini mozzarella balls, burrata, and fresh basil, this showstopping salad is not only cute but delicious, too.

A plate with two snowmen made from burrata balls decorated with peppercorns, carrot slices, basil scarves, and surrounded by cherry tomatoes and more mozzarella balls.

Serve it as a side salad at your Christmas parties or enjoy it as a tasty appetizer with my no-knead focaccia.

Make it Ahead

The salad is easy to make in advance, giving you more time to enjoy the holidays with your loved ones. Keep it covered in the fridge, and dress the salad right before serving.

Burrata Snowman Ingredients

Please be sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the complete details!

  • Burrata: Drain the balls and place them carefully on the platter to make your snowmen.
  • Cherry tomatoes: Use smaller cherry tomatoes and halve some of them to fill the space around the snowmen. 
  • Bocconcini: Also known as mini mozzarella balls. Use to make the ‘snow’.
  • Toppings: Decorate the snowmen with peppercorns, a small carrot nose, and fresh basil.
  • Seasoning: Balsamic glaze, olive oil, sea salt, and pepper.

How to Make a Burrata Snowman Platter

  1. Arrange the four burrata on a platter and top with the peppercorn, carrot, and basil details.
  2. Add the cherry tomatoes. 
  3. Top with bocconcini ‘snow’.
  4. Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze, and sprinkle with sea salt and pepper to serve.
A series of pictures showing the different steps to make a burrata snowman platter. In step 1 place the four burrata on a platter and add the snowman details. In step 2 arrange the cherry tomatoes around the snowmen. Step 3 - Top with mini mozzarella balls. Step 4 -Add balsamic glaze, olive oil, and season well.

Serving Suggestion

Be sure to use a platter with a rim, so the cherry tomatoes don’t roll off!

Possible Variations

  • Burrata: Swap for fresh mozzarella, goat cheese, cream cheese shaped into balls, or ricotta.
  • Cherry tomatoes: Slice any sized tomatoes or use figs, nectarine, arugula, avocado, prosciutto, olives, grapes, even pasta and tomato sauce.
  • Bocconcini: Try croutons or goat cheese.
  • Peppercorns: Black sesame seeds, nigella seeds, black olives pieces, or capers.
  • Fresh basil: Parsley or mint.
  • Dressing: Pesto or a simple olive oil, honey, and lemon juice vinaigrette (I always aim for 3 parts olive oil, 1 part lemon and honey).

How to Store Leftovers

Scoop leftovers into an airtight container and keep them in the fridge. Enjoy within 2 days.

FAQs

Can I make the snowman platter in advance?

Absolutely! Make it a few hours ahead, cover it with cling film and keep it in the fridge. Take the platter out 30 minutes before serving, and then top with the dressing.

The peppercorns won’t stay put. What am I doing wrong?

Push them in carefully. You don’t want to push too hard and break open the cheese. Alternatively, use black sesame seeds. They will stick to the moist cheese.

My burrata burst open as I was plating. Can I fix it?

See if you can turn the broken side facing down, so you have the tidy side presenting. If that doesn’t work, you can always say he’s ‘melting’.

That’s quite a lot of cheese.

Just make one snowman in that case. It’ll still be a wonderful and festive platter.

More Christmas Platters

If you make this recipe or any other recipe on Foodbites, then I would love to hear from you! Please feel free to leave a comment and rating below.

Two snowmen made out of burrata, peppercorns, carrot, and fresh basil are arranged on a platter and surrounded by cherry tomatoes and bocconcini snow.
5 from 1 vote
Servings: 8 people

Burrata Snowman

By Sine Siemkowicz
Showstopping cherry tomato, mini mozzarella, and burrata snowman platter topped with fresh basil.
Prep: 30 minutes
Cook: 0 minutes
Total: 30 minutes
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Ingredients 

  • 4 burrata, balls
  • 400 grams cherry tomatoes
  • 150 grams bocconcini, mini mozzarella balls
  • 1 carrot, small
  • 15 fresh basil leaves
  • 22 peppercorns
  • 3 tablespoons balsamic glaze
  • 4 tablespoons olive oil
  • sea salt, to taste
  • pepper, to taste

Instructions 

  • Place the drained burrata carefully in pairs on a platter – one on top of the other.
  • Slice a carrot and trim it into two triangle-shaped noses.
  • Place a carrot nose on each snowman.
  • Top the snowmen with peppercorn for the eyes, buttons and mouth.
  • Make a scarf out of basil leaves and simply stick these between the burrata.
  • Arrange the cherry tomatoes on the platter around the snowmen.
  • Now, top with the bocconcini and basil leaves.
  • Drizzle with olive oil, balsamic glaze, and a sprinkle of sea salt and pepper.
  • Serve.

Video

Nutrition

Calories: 319kcal, Carbohydrates: 6g, Protein: 17g, Fat: 30g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 60mg, Sodium: 24mg, Potassium: 139mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 3g, Vitamin A: 2084IU, Vitamin C: 12mg, Calcium: 475mg, Iron: 0.5mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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Recipe Rating




2 Comments

  1. Anne says:

    5 stars
    They are so easy to make and festive for the holidays! ๐Ÿคฉ

    Reply
    1. Sine Siemkowicz says:

      Thanks so much, Anne. So happy to hear that.
      Sine

      Reply