Appetizer Cheese Trees

Appetizer Cheese Trees
270 min.
28
167kcal

Suggestions


Get ready to impress your guests with a delightful and festive appetizer that’s as fun to make as it is to eat! Introducing Appetizer Cheese Trees, a creative twist on traditional cheese spreads that will bring a touch of holiday cheer to any gathering. These charming cheese trees are not only visually stunning but also packed with flavor, making them the perfect starter for your next party or family get-together.

Imagine a platter filled with vibrant green parsley, crunchy pine nuts, and colorful red bell pepper ornaments, all artfully arranged to resemble whimsical Christmas trees. The base of these trees is a luscious blend of cream cheese and sharp Cheddar, infused with aromatic pesto and a hint of spice from red pepper sauce. Each bite offers a creamy, savory explosion that pairs beautifully with an assortment of crackers.

Whether you’re hosting a holiday celebration or simply looking for a unique snack to enjoy with friends, these cheese trees are sure to be a hit. They’re not just a treat for the taste buds; they also add a festive flair to your table. Plus, with a preparation time of just 4 hours, you can easily whip them up ahead of time and focus on enjoying the company of your loved ones. So gather your ingredients, unleash your creativity, and let’s make this holiday season a little cheesier!

Ingredients

  • 24 ounces cream cheese softened
  • 16 ounces cheddar cheese shredded
  • tablespoons basil pesto 
  • tablespoon onion grated
  • 0.3 teaspoon ground mustard dry ()
  •  hot sauce red
  • 0.3 cup cilantro leaves finely chopped
  • 0.3 cup pinenuts 
  • tablespoons bell pepper red chopped
  • serving round buttery crackers assorted

Equipment

  • baking sheet

Directions

  1. Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide in half.
  2. Mix pesto into 1 half; mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into other half. Cover each half and refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape.
  3. Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet. Shape each half into cone shape to look like Christmas tree.
  4. Roll trees in parsley, pressing parsley evenly onto trees. Press pine nuts onto trees in string form for garland. Press bell pepper pieces onto trees for ornaments. Top each tree with star shape cut from lemon peel if desired.
  5. Serve with crackers.

Nutrition Facts

Calories167kcal
Protein13.13%
Fat81.12%
Carbs5.75%

Properties

Glycemic Index
5.18
Glycemic Load
0.49
Inflammation Score
-4
Nutrition Score
3.8800000328085%

Flavonoids

Isorhamnetin
0.02mg
Quercetin
0.15mg

Nutrients percent of daily need

Calories:166.66kcal
8.33%
Fat:15.23g
23.43%
Saturated Fat:8.18g
51.12%
Carbohydrates:2.43g
0.81%
Net Carbohydrates:2.33g
0.85%
Sugar:1.14g
1.26%
Cholesterol:40.83mg
13.61%
Sodium:199.33mg
8.67%
Alcohol:0g
100%
Alcohol %:0%
100%
Protein:5.55g
11.09%
Calcium:141.18mg
14.12%
Phosphorus:109.19mg
10.92%
Vitamin A:541.18IU
10.82%
Selenium:6.75µg
9.64%
Vitamin B2:0.13mg
7.8%
Manganese:0.12mg
5.79%
Zinc:0.8mg
5.34%
Vitamin B12:0.23µg
3.75%
Vitamin E:0.48mg
3.19%
Magnesium:9.92mg
2.48%
Vitamin K:2.31µg
2.2%
Vitamin B5:0.21mg
2.15%
Folate:6.91µg
1.73%
Potassium:55.33mg
1.58%
Vitamin B6:0.03mg
1.45%
Copper:0.03mg
1.35%
Vitamin B1:0.02mg
1.2%
Vitamin C:0.98mg
1.19%