If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and utterly delicious appetizer to wow your guests this holiday season, I can’t recommend this Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe enough. It’s super simple to put together, but every bite feels special with the combination of creamy cheese, crunchy pistachios, fragrant rosemary, and sweet cranberries. Plus, that pretzel “trunk” just brings the whole Christmas tree vibe to life. Stick around—I’m going to share everything you need to make these charming little trees your new holiday staple.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive and Fun Presentation: These little cheese trees are a guaranteed conversation starter and look incredible on any holiday platter.
- Easy and Quick to Make: You’ll spend less than 10 minutes prepping, perfect when you need a last-minute crowd-pleaser.
- Perfect Balance of Flavors: Creamy cheese meets crunchy nuts and savory herbs with a touch of sweetness from cranberries—so addictive!
- Kid-Friendly and Crowd-Approved: Both the little ones and adults go crazy for these adorable, tasty bites.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Choosing fresh and complementary ingredients is the key to nailing this Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe. Take a moment to pick really fragrant rosemary and crisp pretzels—they make all the difference. Plus, make sure your pistachios are shelled and roasted for extra crunch and flavor.
- Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges: I love using these because they’re creamy, smooth, and already portioned perfectly to shape into mini trees.
- Salted and Roasted Shelled Pistachios: Roasting intensifies flavor and the saltiness balances the cheese’s creaminess.
- Fresh Rosemary: The piney herbal note really evokes the Christmas spirit and brightens the flavor profile.
- Dried Cranberries: They add a sweet contrast and a pop of red color that makes these cheese trees festive.
- Pretzel Sticks: These act as your “tree trunks” and give a delicious salty crunch, plus they make assembly a breeze.
Variations
I totally encourage you to make this Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe your own. I’ve played around with different nuts, herbs, and coatings, and I found that slight tweaks can keep this appetizer fresh and exciting every holiday season.
- Nut Swap: I once used finely chopped almonds instead of pistachios, and it still turned out great—just a bit less colorful.
- Herb Twist: Adding some finely chopped thyme or chives gives a different aromatic touch if you want to switch it up from rosemary.
- Sweet and Savory: Try swapping dried cherries or chopped dried apricots for cranberries for a slightly different fruit flavor.
- Make It Vegan: Use a plant-based cream cheese wedge alternative and choose vegan pretzels to fit dietary needs without sacrificing fun.
How to Make Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Coating Mix
Start by finely chopping your fresh rosemary, pistachios, and dried cranberries. The key here is to get the pieces really small—this helps the coating stick to the cheese wedges evenly and makes the finished trees look polished rather than chunky. I even like to sift some pistachio dust in there for that pretty green shimmer; it adds such an inviting look. Mix all these chopped ingredients in a shallow bowl or on a dessert plate so you’re ready to roll.
Step 2: Add the Tree Trunks
Now, gently insert a pretzel stick into the bottom end of each Laughing Cow cheese wedge to create the “tree trunk.” Be careful here—if you push too hard or too fast, the cheese wedge can split. A neat trick I discovered is to pre-make a tiny hole using a toothpick or skewer to guide the pretzel in smoothly. This way, it looks neat and your trees stand tall!
Step 3: Coat Your Cheese Wedges
Time for the magic moment—dip and roll each cheese wedge into your prepared rosemary-pistachio-cranberry mix. Press gently so the coating sticks well to every visible surface of the wedge to get that gorgeous tree effect with bursts of green and red. You’ll love how appetizing these look once they’re nicely coated.
Step 4: Serve and Impress
Arrange your festive Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe on a serving platter and serve them immediately so the pretzels stay crunchy. Your guests will be impressed, and I can tell you from experience, these little beauties disappear faster than you can say “Merry Christmas.”
Pro Tips for Making Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe
- Chop Finely: Finely chopping your pistachios and herbs is crucial—chunky bits won’t stick well and can cause the coating to fall off.
- Gentle Pretzel Insertion: I avoid breaking wedges by pre-making holes with a toothpick before inserting pretzels—game changer!
- Make Ahead Smartly: Coat the cheese ahead of time but add pretzel trunks just before serving to keep everything crisp and fresh.
- Use Room Temperature Cheese: Wedges at room temp are easier to work with and let the flavors shine more.
How to Serve Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe
Garnishes
I like to sprinkle a tiny pinch of extra chopped pistachios around the platter for a crunchy border, or add some sprigs of fresh rosemary between the trees to enhance the festive look and scent. If you want a little sparkle, delicate edible gold dust or glitter works beautifully too!
Side Dishes
Pair these delightful cheese trees with some crusty baguette slices, a honey drizzle, or a fig chutney for a balance of sweet and savory. They also go great alongside a colorful holiday charcuterie board with cured meats, olives, and a few fresh fruits to keep things fresh and vibrant.
Creative Ways to Present
I once set these Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe on a mirrored tray with fairy lights underneath—talk about magic! Another time, I arranged them on a wooden cutting board shaped like a Christmas tree for an extra touch of whimsy. Presentation really takes these from cute to showstopper.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I usually cover leftover coated cheese wedges tightly with plastic wrap and store them in the fridge for up to 2 days. The coating holds up well, though the pretzel trunks will lose their crunch, so I tend to remove them if I’m planning to keep leftovers.
Freezing
Because these are fresh cheese and nuts, freezing isn’t my go-to, but if you want to prep the cheese wedges in advance (without coating and pretzels), you can freeze them individually wrapped for up to a month, then thaw and finish just before serving.
Reheating
Since this is a no-bake, fresh appetizer, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. Just let any refrigerated leftovers come to room temperature for the best flavor and softness before serving again.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of cheese for this recipe?
Absolutely! While I use Laughing Cow wedges because of their perfect size and creamy texture, you can try other soft cheeses like cream cheese logs or mini Brie wedges—just adjust chopping and coating as needed.
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How do I keep the coating from falling off?
Make sure the cheese is soft enough at room temperature and that the pistachios, rosemary, and cranberries are finely chopped. Gently press the wedges into the coating rather than rolling hard to help it stick better.
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Can I prepare these in advance?
Yes! You can coat the cheese wedges and keep them refrigerated up to 4 hours in advance. Add the pretzel sticks just before serving to ensure they remain crisp and appealing.
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What if someone has a nut allergy?
For nut allergies, you could skip the pistachios and substitute with finely chopped seeds like sunflower or pumpkin seeds, or simply use extra herbs and cranberries to maintain texture and color.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely love how this Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe brings joy and elegance to any holiday gathering. When I first tried making these, my family was instantly hooked—the festive look combined with the delicious flavors was a total winner. I hope you’ll enjoy creating and sharing these little trees as much as I do. They’re simple, quick, and packed with charm—just the kind of recipe I love to keep in my holiday arsenal. So go ahead and make some magic in your kitchen this season!
Print
Cheese Christmas Trees with Pistachios Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 16 cheese trees
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These charming Cheese Christmas Trees are a festive and easy appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Creamy Laughing Cow cheese wedges are transformed into delightful trees by coating them with a colorful mix of finely chopped pistachios, fresh rosemary, and dried cranberries, then topped with pretzel sticks as tree trunks. Quick to assemble and visually impressive, these cheese wedges add a playful, seasonal touch to your party spread.
Ingredients
Cheese Trees
- 16 wedges Laughing Cow Cheese (from 2 packages), at room temperature
Coating Mixture
- 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. This ensures the coating sticks well to the cheese and creates a visually appealing, festive green and red mixture. Combine these chopped ingredients in a shallow bowl or dessert plate and mix thoroughly.
- Add the Tree Trunks: Gently insert one pretzel stick piece into the bottom end of each Laughing Cow cheese wedge to create the tree trunk. Be careful to push softly to avoid breaking the soft cheese. If needed, create a small hole beforehand using a toothpick or skewer.
- Coat the Cheese Wedges: Carefully press each cheese wedge into the coating mixture, covering all visible surfaces evenly with the pistachio-rosemary-cranberry blend. This gives each wedge the appearance of a decorated Christmas tree.
- Serve and Display: Arrange the coated cheese trees on a serving platter attractively and serve immediately for the best texture and freshness. Alternatively, prepare in advance but add pretzel sticks just before serving to maintain crispness.
Notes
- Pretzel Stick Tip: Insert pretzel sticks gently or use a toothpick/skewer to pre-make a hole to prevent splitting the cheese.
- Coating Ingredients: Chop pistachios, dried cranberries, and rosemary finely for better adhesion and neat appearance.
- Make Ahead Option: Assemble coated cheese wedges up to 4 hours ahead, but insert pretzel sticks just prior to serving to keep them crisp.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cheese tree wedge
- Calories: 90
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 3g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 10mg
