If you're looking for an easy and impressive appetizer for your next holiday party, this Christmas Tree Cheese Board is just the thing. It combines creamy Gouda, sharp Colby Jack, and juicy cherry tomatoes to create a colorful, edible Christmas tree. The fresh rosemary sprigs give the cheese platter a pop of green, making it look festive and giving a lovely herbal aroma that pairs nicely with the cheese. The best part? It's incredibly easy to make and doesn’t require any cooking!
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This Christmas cheese board is a super easy platter that'll only take you a few minutes to put together, but will look great on any party or holiday table.
If you're looking to round out your holiday spread, check out this list of holiday appetizers to find the perfect pairings.
This Christmas Tree Cheese Platter goes great with crowd favorites like mini pigs in a blanket for a fun finger food option.
You can also add something warm and gooey, like cranberry brie pull-apart bread or honey garlic baked brie, to your table for a delicious variety.
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What You'll Love About This Recipe
- Simple and Quick: You can have this platter ready in just 15 minutes with no cooking required!
- Festive Look: The Christmas tree shape makes it a showstopper on your appetizer table.
- Perfect for Parties: It's ideal for small gatherings or holiday parties, offering an easy snack that everyone loves.
- Great Flavor Combo: The blend of creamy Gouda, sharp Colby Jack, and juicy tomatoes creates a balance of flavors.
- Kid-Friendly: This is a fun, hands-on appetizer that kids will love to help make and eat.
Ingredients
Colby Jack Cheese: Look for a firm block of Colby Jack cheese that has a rich golden and white marbling. This cheese has a mild but slightly tangy flavor, making it great for snacking. When choosing Colby Jack, make sure it's not too soft, so it holds its shape when cubed.
Gouda Cheese: A smooth, creamy cheese that adds a rich, buttery flavor. A semi-hard variety works best here, as it will hold up well when cut into cubes. You can often find Gouda in a wheel shape or block. Look for one that's firm but not too hard for the best texture.
Cherry Tomatoes: These add not only a vibrant pop of red but also a juicy burst of flavor. Choose firm, ripe cherry tomatoes that are similar in size . Smaller tomatoes fit better on the platter and balance well with the cheese cubes.
Fresh Rosemary Sprigs: The rosemary sprigs are more than just garnish, they give a wonderful piney scent to your platter and make the whole presentation feel festive. Pick fresh, vibrant green sprigs that are soft and pliable, not dried or brittle.
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Start by cutting the Colby Jack and Gouda cheeses into small, bite-sized cubes. Try to make the cubes uniform in size for a neat, well-organized platter. Rinse the cherry tomatoes under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel to prevent them from making the cheese cubes soggy.
Then you can start forming a layer of Gouda cubes at the top of your platter, forming the tip of the "tree." Create a stripe of cherry tomatoes right beneath the Gouda to mimic ornaments on the tree.
Add a layer of Colby Jack cubes below the cherry tomatoes, widening the layer as you go downward to maintain the tree shape.
Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs under the Colby Jack layer to give the tree a natural, festive look and a touch of greenery.
Keep alternating layers of Gouda, cherry tomatoes, and Colby Jack, making each layer slightly wider than the one above to maintain the tree shape.
Finish by placing rosemary sprigs at the base to form the "tree skirt" and complete the look.
Hint: For a cleaner presentation, chill the cheese cubes in the fridge for about 10-15 minutes before cutting. This helps the cheese hold its shape better and makes it easier to work with.
Substitutions
Different Cheeses: If you don’t have Colby Jack or Gouda, you can easily swap them out for other cubed cheeses like sharp cheddar or Havarti. Try to stick with semi-firm cheeses that will hold their shape on the platter.
Grape Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes can be replaced with grape tomatoes if you prefer, as they have a similar size and flavor. Just make sure they’re firm and not too soft.
Herbs: While rosemary adds a festive look, you can swap it with thyme or parsley for a milder garnish.
Variations
Add Cured Meats: For a more substantial platter, include slices of cured meats like salami or prosciutto in between the layers of cheese and tomatoes.
Fruit Additions: Adding green grapes or slices of apple can give the tree a sweeter twist and more color variation.
Nuts for Crunch: Sprinkle in some roasted almonds or walnuts to add a bit of crunch and complement the cheese.
Storage
Fridge: You can store any leftover cheese and tomatoes in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Make sure to separate the rosemary sprigs if you want to keep them fresh, as they can wilt when stored with moisture from the cheese and tomatoes.
Freezing: Cheese doesn’t freeze well when cut into cubes, as it can change texture once thawed. It’s best to prepare only what you plan to serve fresh.
Reheating: This platter is best served cold, so there’s no need for reheating. If your cheese cubes start to sweat or soften, you can pop them back in the fridge for a few minutes before serving to firm them up.
Top tip
Use a Christmas tree-shaped platter or arrange it on a large cutting board: If you don’t have a tree-shaped platter, no problem! Simply arrange the layers in a tree shape on any large flat surface. Using a cutting board works well and gives a rustic look.
FAQ
Yes! Cheeses like sharp cheddar, Havarti, or even mozzarella cubes can work well. Just choose semi-firm cheeses that hold their shape when cut.
You can prepare this platter up to 2 hours in advance. Be sure to wrap it tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator to keep everything fresh.
No, you can use any flat surface like a large cutting board or regular platter and simply arrange the ingredients in a Christmas tree shape.
Crackers, breadsticks, or a variety of dips pair nicely with this cheese platter, giving guests more options for snacking.
Related
Looking for other fun Christmas appetizer recipes? Try these:
Recipe
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Christmas Cheese Board
Ingredients
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese cubed
- 1 cup Gouda cheese cubed
- ½ cup Cherry tomatoes
- 4 sprigs Fresh rosemary for garnish
Instructions
- Cut Colby Jack and Gouda into bite-sized cubes.
- Rinse and dry the cherry tomatoes.
- On a large platter, place a layer of Gouda cubes at the top.
- Add a layer of cherry tomatoes beneath the Gouda.
- Place a layer of Colby Jack cubes below the tomatoes, widening the layers as you go.
- Tuck rosemary sprigs under the Colby Jack layer.
- Continue alternating layers of cheese and tomatoes until you reach the bottom.
- Finish with rosemary sprigs at the base to complete the tree shape.
Notes
This Christmas Tree Cheese Platter is super easy to make and perfect for adding some holiday fun to your snack table. It’s simple, looks awesome, and is sure to be a hit with everyone at your party.
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