During the holiday season, many people look for festive and delicious appetizers to serve at parties or family gatherings. Cheese trees or snowmen are a popular choice, as they are relatively easy to make and can be customized to fit any taste. Whether you prefer a classic recipe or something a little more creative, there are plenty of options to choose from. With a little planning and effort, you can create an appetizer that will be the star of the show.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
APPETIZER CHEESE TREES
Enjoy this creatively made cheese spread - a delicious appetizer perfect for Christmas celebration.
Provided by Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Appetizer
Time 4h30m
Yield 28
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide in half. 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.
- Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet. Shape each half into cone shape to look like Christmas tree. 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. Serve with crackers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 155, Carbohydrate 1 g, Cholesterol 45 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 6 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, ServingSize 1/4 Cup, Sodium 180 mg
APPETIZER CHEESE TREES OR SNOWMEN
Make and share this Appetizer Cheese Trees or Snowmen recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Crabbycakes
Categories Cheese
Time 4h30m
Yield 7 Cups
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide in half.
- Mix pesto into one half; mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into other half.
- Cover each half and refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape.
- Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet.
- Shape each half into cone shape to look like Christmas tree.
- Roll trees in parsley, pressing evenly onto trees.
- Press bell pepper pieces onto trees to form ornaments.
- Press pine nuts onto trees in string to form garland.
- Top each tree with star-shape cut from lemon peel, if desired.
- Serve with crackers.
- For Snowman Cheeseball: above recipe enough for one large snowman or two small snowmen.
- Omit parsley, pine nuts and bell pepper.
- Mix cream cheese and Cheddar cheese; divide into 3 equal parts.
- Mix 2 parts to equal two-thirds of mixture;mix in pesto.
- Mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into remaining one third of cheese mixture.
- Refrigerate as directed.
- Shape each cheese mixture into two balls; roll 1/3 cup finely chopped blanched almonds.
- Arrange balls on serving plate with smaller ball on top for head of snowman; press together slightly.
- Insert pretzel sticks for arms.
- Decorate as desired, with capers (for eyes), sliced olives (for buttons), chopped carrots (for nose), sliced cucumber (for hat a thin slice for brim a chunk for top), chopped bell pepper (for mouth) and fresh thyme leaves (for scarf).
MAKE-AHEAD SNOWMAN CHEESE BALL
All holiday appetizers should be this fun! This adorable snowman is made of a delicious spread of seasoned cream and Cheddar cheeses.
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Gifts & Decor
Time 4h10m
Yield 7
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Mix 3 packages cream cheese and the Cheddar cheese; divide into 3 equal parts. Combine 2 parts to equal two-thirds of mixture; mix in pesto. Mix onion, mustard and pepper sauce into remaining one-third mixture.
- Cover each cheese mixture and refrigerate about 4 hours or until firm enough to shape. Shape each cheese mixture into ball. Wrap each ball, label and freeze.
- About 12 hours before serving, remove balls from freezer. Thaw in wrappers in refrigerator.
- Arrange balls on serving plate with smaller ball on top for head of snowman. Frost snowman with whipped cream cheese before serving. Decorate as desired. Serve with crackers. Store covered in refrigerator.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 42, Carbohydrate 0 g, Cholesterol 10 mg, Fat 1, Fiber 0 g, Protein 2 g, SaturatedFat 2 g, ServingSize 1 Tablespoon, Sodium 45 mg
SNOWMAN CHEESE SPREAD
This cute cheese ball snowman "stands out" on any appetizer buffet. He is so much fun to "build" and always gets a warm welcome at parties and gatherings. This is one snowman who won't melt away, but he disappears just as quickly once people get a taste of him.-Jan Sofranko, Melta, Illinois
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Appetizers
Time 30m
Yield 14-16 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large bowl, beat the first four ingredients until blended. Shape into three balls, one 3-1/2 in., one 3 in and one 2-1/2 in. Place the 3-1/2-in. ball on an 8-in. serving plate; top with the 3-in. ball, then the small ball. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes., With a knife, smooth spreadable cream cheese over each ball; spread remaining cheese around base of snowman. Arrange rosemary sprigs on snowman's head, forming a wreath. Place three dried cranberries inside wreath. Insert pretzel sticks for arms., Cut two thin slices from olive and make two 1/8-in. circles. Place circles on head for eyes and slices on body for buttons. cut one cranberry in half widthwise; place in the center of olive buttons. Cut remaining cranberry in half lengthwise; shape one piece into a smile and place on snowman's face (discard remaining cranberry half)., Trim carrot to make a small nose; position on face. Cut top of green onion into a 1/4-in. strip; tie around neck for scarf. Serve with crackers.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 105 calories, Fat 10g fat (6g saturated fat), Cholesterol 32mg cholesterol, Sodium 244mg sodium, Carbohydrate 1g carbohydrate (1g sugars, Fiber 0 fiber), Protein 3g protein.
Tips:
- Make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature before starting. This will make it easier to mix and spread.
- If you don't have a cheese tree mold, you can use a small bowl or cup. Just make sure to line it with plastic wrap so the cheese can be easily removed.
- To make the cheese tree more festive, you can add decorations such as sprinkles, chopped nuts, or dried fruit.
- If you're making a snowman, use a black food marker to draw on the face.
- Serve the cheese tree or snowman immediately, or refrigerate for later.
Conclusion:
Cheese trees and snowmen are a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays. They're also a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer that everyone will enjoy. So next time you're looking for a holiday treat, give these recipes a try.
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