Description
Cheese Christmas Trees are a festive and easy appetizer made by coating wedges of creamy Laughing Cow cheese with a colorful mixture of finely chopped pistachios, rosemary, and dried cranberries, then adding pretzel sticks as tree trunks. Perfect for holiday parties, these whimsical bites combine creamy, crunchy, and tangy flavors in a fun, visually appealing presentation.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Base
- 16 wedges Laughing Cow Cheese (from 2 packages), at room temperature
Coating Mix
- 1/4 cup salted and roasted shelled pistachios, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, finely chopped
Tree Trunks
- 8 small pretzel sticks, broken into 2 pieces each
Instructions
- Prepare the Coating Mix: Finely chop the fresh rosemary, salted pistachios, and dried cranberries until the pieces are very small to ensure they will stick well to the cheese. Mix all these ingredients together on a dessert plate or shallow bowl until well combined, including some pistachio dust for a beautiful green coating.
- Add the Tree Trunks: Gently insert one pretzel stick piece into the bottom end of each wedge of Laughing Cow cheese, acting as the “tree trunk.” Push carefully to avoid breaking the cheese wedges. Alternatively, pre-make a hole with a toothpick or skewer for easier insertion.
- Coat the Cheese Wedges: Press each cheese wedge into the prepared rosemary-pistachio-cranberry mixture, making sure the coating adheres evenly to all visible surfaces for a festive Christmas tree look.
- Serve and Display: Arrange the coated cheese wedges on a serving platter and serve immediately to retain the pretzel stick crispness and vibrant coatings.
Notes
- Pretzel Stick Tip: Insert pretzel sticks gently or pre-make holes using a toothpick or skewer to prevent splitting the cheese wedges.
- Coating Ingredients: Chop pistachios, dried cranberries, and rosemary very finely for an even and polished coating appearance.
- Make Ahead Option: Assemble cheese wedges and toppings up to 4 hours before serving. Add pretzel sticks only just before serving to keep them crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese tree wedge
- Calories: 75
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 6g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.8g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 10mg