Christmas Cheese Tree
Ready to spice up your holiday appetizer game? These Christmas Cheese Trees are easy to make, look festive, and are a big hit at any party. Packed with creamy cheese, crunchy nuts, and a dash of spice, they’re sure to win over your guests.
Ingredients
- Pretzel sticks
- 1 Camembert cheese either pre-cut into wedges or cut into 8 portions
- ½ cup finely chopped walnuts
- 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
Instructions
- If the Camembert isn’t pre-cut, slice the cheese into 8 equal wedges.1 Camembert cheese
- Insert a pretzel stick halfway into each cheese wedge, creating the "tree trunk."Pretzel sticks
- In a plate, mix the chopped walnuts, red pepper flakes, oregano, and thyme. This will be the coating for the "trees."½ cup finely chopped walnuts, 2 teaspoons red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 tablespoon dried thyme
- Lightly coat all sides of the cheese wedges with maple syrup or honey using a brush or spoon.2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
- Roll the cheese wedges in the walnut and spice mixture, making sure they are fully coated on all sides.
- Arrange the "trees" on a serving plate. If desired, drizzle more maple syrup or honey over the top for extra sweetness.
- These Christmas cheese trees are best served at room temperature and make for a fun and festive appetizer.
Notes
- Cheese: While Camembert is my go-to, feel free to swap it out for Brie or a firmer goat cheese if that’s what you have on hand.
- Pretzel Stick Length: Make sure your pretzel sticks are sturdy enough to support the cheese wedges but short enough to fit the proportions of your "trees."
- Spice to Your Taste: Adjust the red pepper flakes to suit your spice preference. If you're not a fan of heat, you can skip them altogether.
- Sweetness Level: Honey tends to be sweeter than maple syrup. If you opt for honey, you can use less to keep the flavors balanced.
- Nuts: Walnuts are great, but almonds, pistachios, or hazelnuts are also fantastic for rolling your cheese wedges in.
- Fresh Herbs: Swap out dried herbs for fresh ones if you prefer. Fresh oregano and thyme will give a vibrant flavor to your cheese trees. You can also try fresh rosemary if you have it on hand.
- Make Ahead: You can assemble these trees ahead of time and store them in the fridge. Just add the final drizzle of maple syrup or honey before serving.
- Additional Flavors: Feel adventurous? Add a sprinkle of garlic powder or onion powder to your spice mix for an extra layer of flavor.
- Gluten-Free Option: Just swap in your favorite gluten-free pretzels to make this appetizer gluten-free and celiac-friendly.
Storage Instructions
- Refrigerate: Storing these festive treats is easy. Simply place them in an airtight container and pop them in the fridge. They’ll stay fresh for up to three days.
- To Serve Again: When you’re ready to enjoy them again, let them come to room temperature for about 20 minutes before serving. This brings out the best flavor and texture, making your cheese trees just as tasty as when they were first made!
Nutrition
Calories: 1204kcalCarbohydrates: 44gProtein: 55gFat: 94gSaturated Fat: 38gPolyunsaturated Fat: 30gMonounsaturated Fat: 21gCholesterol: 163mgSodium: 1977mgPotassium: 944mgFiber: 9gSugar: 27gVitamin A: 3288IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 1146mgIron: 10mg
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