A Cheese Board That’s a Christmas Tree!

Hello, my dear! Come sit with me for a minute. I want to tell you about the most fun snack. It is a cheese board that looks like a Christmas tree. Isn’t that a clever idea? I saw my granddaughter make one last year. I still laugh at how proud she was.

This matters because food should be joyful. Making a pretty plate is a little way to show you care. It makes everyone smile before they even take a bite. What is your favorite holiday snack to eat with your family?

Let’s Talk About the Cheeses

We use two simple cheeses here. Colby Jack is soft and mild. Cheddar is a bit sharper. They are a perfect team. Cutting them into cubes makes them easy to pick up.

Fun fact: Cheese is made from milk. It has been a favorite food for thousands of years. I think that is amazing. Do you like your cheese mild or strong?

The Little Red Ornaments

Now for the cherry tomatoes. They are the bright red ornaments on our tree. You must wash them and pat them dry. This keeps your board nice and tidy.

I once dropped a whole container of tomatoes. They rolled all over the kitchen floor! My dog thought it was a great game. We still got them cleaned up in time for guests.

Building Your Tasty Tree

Here is the fun part. Use a tree-shaped platter if you have one. If not, you can make a tree shape on a big plate. Arrange the cheeses and tomatoes in sections. Then do it again until the tray is full.

This matters because creating something with your hands is special. You are not just making food. You are making a little piece of art. Have you ever made a picture with your food?

A Sprig of Fresh Rosemary

The final touch is fresh rosemary. Tuck little sprigs around the board. It looks like real tree branches. Doesn’t that smell amazing? It makes your whole kitchen smell like the holidays.

Rosemary is a strong, lovely herb. I always have some growing in a pot by my window. It reminds me of my own grandma’s garden. What smells make you think of Christmas?

Ingredients:

Ingredient	Amount	Notes
Colby Jack cheese, cubed	1 cup
Cheddar cheese, cubed	1 cup
Cherry tomatoes	1/2 cup
Fresh rosemary sprigs		For garnish

A Cheese Board That’s a Christmas Tree!

Hello, my dear! Come sit with me for a minute. I want to tell you about my new favorite holiday tradition. It’s a cheese board shaped like a Christmas tree. Isn’t that just the jolliest thing? It’s so simple to make. Even my grandson, Tommy, can help. He loves stacking the cheese cubes. I still laugh at that. Last year he ate more than he stacked!

This isn’t just food, it’s a little centerpiece for your table. It makes everyone smile when they see it. The red tomatoes look like tiny ornaments. And the rosemary? It smells like Christmas morning. Let me show you how we put it all together. It’s easier than you think.

Step 1

First, we need to get our cheeses ready. Take your Colby Jack and Cheddar blocks. Cut them into small, bite-sized cubes. You want them all about the same size. This makes the tree look neat and pretty. My hands are a little shaky sometimes. So I take my time with the knife.

Step 2

Now, let’s wash our cherry tomatoes. Pat them dry with a clean towel. This is very important. (A hard-learned tip: wet tomatoes make your cheese soggy. Nobody wants a soggy cheese tree!). They will be our bright red decorations. Doesn’t that color just make you happy?

Step 3

Here comes the fun part! Grab your special tree-shaped platter. Start arranging the cheddar, tomatoes, and Colby Jack in little rows. Just follow the shape of the tree. Add a few rosemary sprigs as you go. Keep going until the whole tray is full. It’s like painting a picture with food.

When you’re done, tuck in a few more rosemary sprigs. They look like little evergreen branches. I love how the green looks with the cheese. What’s your favorite cheese for a snack? Share below! Now our festive tree is ready for the party. I hope your family loves it as much as mine does.

Cook Time: No cook time!
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Category: Appetizer, Snack

Let’s Make It Your Own!

The best part about cooking is adding your own twist. You don’t always have to follow the recipe. Here are some fun ideas for your cheese tree. You can mix and match. See what you have in your kitchen already.

Fruit & Nut Forest

Use green grapes and little pieces of broccoli. Add some almonds for the trunk. It’s so crunchy and sweet.

Spicy Snowflake

Try pepper jack cheese cubes. Use little red pepper flakes for a kick. It will warm you right up!

Sweet Christmas

Swap the cheese for strawberries and marshmallows. Use mint leaves instead of rosemary. A perfect dessert tree.

These are just a few ways to play with your food. Which one would you try first? Comment below! I would love to hear your own ideas, too.

Serving Your Festive Creation

Now, where should we put our beautiful cheese tree? I always put mine right in the middle of the table. It’s a wonderful start to a big family dinner. You could add some crackers in a bowl nearby. Maybe some sliced apples or pears, too. They look lovely on the side.

What should we drink with it? For the grown-ups, a glass of crisp white wine is lovely. It tastes great with the cheese. For the kids, and for me most nights, sparkling apple cider is perfect. It feels so festive in a fancy glass. Which would you choose tonight? I think I’ll have the cider. It reminds me of my own childhood Christmases.

Keeping Your Christmas Tree Cheese Board Fresh

This snack is best enjoyed the day you make it. But you can save the leftovers. Just cover the whole board tightly with plastic wrap. Pop it in the fridge for up to two days.

I do not recommend freezing this board. The cheese can get crumbly. The tomatoes will turn mushy when they thaw. It is a texture thing.

I learned this the hard way with a New Year’s board. I tried to freeze it. The cheese cubes were never the same. Storing food right saves your hard work. It also keeps your treats tasting wonderful.

Have you ever tried storing it this way? Share below!

Fixing Common Cheese Board Problems

Is your tree shape looking a little lopsided? Start from the top point. Work your way down to the trunk. This gives you more control. I remember my first tree looked more like a blob!

Are your cheese cubes sticking together? Pat them dry with a paper towel. A little moisture makes them cling. This small step makes your board look neat and pretty.

Do the tomatoes keep rolling away? Cut a tiny slice off the bottom. This creates a flat spot. It helps them stay put on your platter. Fixing these little issues builds your kitchen confidence. It also makes the food more fun to eat.

Which of these problems have you run into before?

Your Cheese Board Questions, Answered

Q: Is this recipe gluten-free?
A: Yes, it is! All the ingredients are naturally free of gluten.

Q: Can I make it ahead of time?
A: You can cube the cheese a day early. Keep it in a sealed container. Assemble your tree right before guests arrive.

Q: What other cheeses can I use?
A: Mozzarella cubes or Gouda work beautifully too. Use what your family likes best.

Q: How do I double this for a big party?
A: Just use twice the amount of everything. You might need a bigger board or two trees!

Q: Are the rosemary sprigs just for looks?
A: They add a lovely holiday smell. You can also eat the leaves! A little fun fact for you.

Which tip will you try first?

Share Your Festive Creations

I hope you have so much fun making this edible tree. It always brings a smile to my table. Cooking for others is a way to share love.

I would be so delighted to see your creation. Your family’s version might give me new ideas. Sharing our kitchen adventures connects us all.

Have you tried this recipe? Tag us on Pinterest!

Happy cooking!
—Grace Ellington.