Cheese Christmas Trees
Turn your holiday appetizers into a festive centerpiece with these adorable cheese Christmas trees! Creamy Laughing Cow cheese wedges are transformed into mini Christmas trees, coated in a flavorful mix of pistachios, dried cranberries, and fresh rosemary, and finished with a crunchy pretzel trunk. They’re quick to make, customizable, and guaranteed to wow your guests at any holiday gathering!
You’ll love this recipe because:
Ingredients
Ingredient Notes
- Laughing Cow Cheese Wedges – These creamy, individually wrapped cheese wedges are perfect for shaping into trees. You can use any flavor, but the original pairs well with the other ingredients. Look for them in the dairy section of your grocery store.
- Pistachios – Finely chopped pistachios give these bites their festive green color and add a crunchy texture. If you prefer, you can substitute them with another nut like almonds or skip nuts altogether for a nut-free version.
- Dried Cranberries – The tart sweetness of dried cranberries balances the richness of the cheese. Chop them finely to ensure they stick well to the cheese. Dried cherries or golden raisins are great alternatives if cranberries aren’t available.
- Fresh Rosemary – Rosemary adds a fragrant, woodsy aroma and enhances the “tree” effect. Finely chop the rosemary for a cohesive look and taste. You can substitute with parsley or dill if you prefer a milder flavor.
- Pretzel Sticks – These serve as the “trunks” of the trees. Use gluten-free pretzel sticks if needed, and be gentle when inserting them into the cheese to avoid splitting. Breadsticks or even a chunk of chocolate can also work as alternatives.
I love how easy it is to use a cheese like Laughing Cow because it already comes in a wedge shape. However, if you want to use another cheese, you can try brie or camembert. I recommend slicing off the top rind so that you can press the coating into the creamy cheese. You can also use something like goat cheese and then shape them into triangles to make the Christmas cheese shape.
Step-by-step instructions
These Christmas pretzels are very easy to make with a few simple ingredients. The steps below with matching photos are meant to help you see the recipe at various stages so that you can make these chocolate covered pretzels perfectly every time.
For the ingredient list with measurements, full instructions, printable recipe and additional notes, please scroll down to the recipe card.
Unwrap the Laughing cow cheese wedges from their outer foil.
Break each pretzel stick in half. Carefully press the pretzel stick half into the base of each triangle. Do not press too hard, or the cheese will break. If it breaks, use the warmth of your clean hands to mend it back together.
Add the pistachios, rosemary and dried cranberries to a shallow bowl or plate. Mix until combined.
Press one side of the cheese tree into the topping mixture. Be sure to give it some pressure so that the toppings stick to the cheese.
Flip the cheese over and place on a platter.
Serve and enjoy!
Expert Tips
FAQs
Press the pistachio, cranberry, and rosemary mixture firmly into the cheese wedge while it’s still slightly chilled. The cheese’s natural creaminess helps the coating stick.
Yes! I used gluten-free pretzel sticks for my cheese bites, and they work perfectly. Just keep in mind that some brands of gluten-free pretzels may be thicker than traditional ones. Be gentle when inserting them into the cheese wedge to avoid splitting the cheese.
Yes! Swap out the pistachios for additional fresh herbs, like parsley.
No, freezing is not recommended, as the cheese and coating can lose their texture and flavor after thawing.
Storage and Make Ahead Instructions
To prepare these Laughing Cow cheese Christmas trees ahead of time, consider modifying the steps slightly by leaving the pretzel sticks out until just before serving. You can assemble the cheese bites (without the pretzels) up to 4 hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Insert the pretzel sticks right before serving to ensure they stay crisp, as refrigerated pretzels tend to become soggy.
If you’d rather assemble everything right before serving, you can chop the coating ingredients—pistachios, dried cranberries, and rosemary—earlier and store them separately. When ready to serve, simply combine the toppings, coat the cheese wedges, and finish with the pretzel sticks.
Related recipes
More Christmas recipes to try
Cheese Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- 16 wedges Laughing Cow Cheese, from 2 packages, at room temperature
- 1/4 cup salted and roasted shelled pistachios, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons fresh rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 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 they are in very small pieces. If the pieces are too large, they will not stick to the cheese well. I like to have some pistachio dust in there too because it coats the cheese really well for a pretty green color. Place the ingredients on a dessert plate or shallow bowl and mix until well combined.
- Add the Tree Trunks: Carefully insert a pretzel stick into the bottom end of each cheese wedge as the “tree trunk,” pushing gently to avoid breaking the wedge.
- Coat the Cheese Wedges: Carefully press each Laughing Cow cheese wedge into the rosemary-pistachio-cranberry mixture, ensuring the coating sticks well to all visible surfaces for a festive “tree” look.
- Serve and Display: Arrange the Christmas tree wedges on a serving platter and serve immediately!
Notes
- Pretzel Stick Tip: Insert the pretzel sticks gently or pre-make a hole using a toothpick or skewer to avoid splitting the cheese wedges.
- Coating Ingredients: Ensure the pistachios, dried cranberries, and rosemary are chopped finely so they stick to the cheese evenly and look polished.
- Make Ahead Option: Assemble the cheese wedges and toppings up to 4 hours in advance, but add the pretzel sticks just before serving to keep them crisp.
