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Recipes » appetizers » Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

By Wendy O'Neal 49 Comments

Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

Jump to Recipe

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure.

Oh cheese…how I love thee! Let me count the ways! I always gravitate to any cheese platter…it doesn’t really matter what type of cheese, I will eat any of it! And how cute is the cheese platter in the shape of a Christmas tree?!?!? (Keep reading…there are fun cheese facts, a dairy tour, and a fun giveaway at the end.)

Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

It’s so easy and everyone will just love it at you parties this month or on Christmas. We are always snacking before Christmas supper, so this is a great way to get some healthy snacks into everyone, all those fresh veggies and dairy…two things that are usually missing from the holiday table.

Did you know it takes about 2.6 gallons of milk to make 2 pounds of hard cheese? I had no idea it took so much milk to make a pound of cheese.

Cheese Appertizer

Cheese has it’s optimal flavor at room temperature, so set out your platter before guests arrive…just don’t leave it out for more than a couple hours. My guess is that this cheese plate will be devoured before you even get the main dish on the table! If, for some weird reason the cheese isn’t devoured by supper, then put it back in the  fridge and bring it out after supper for a little snack/dessert!

Before we get to how I assembled the cheese platter, I have to share some photos from my recent tour of the Kerr Dairy Farm, which is located just outside Phoenix, AZ.

Dairy Farm

Dairy Cow

Isn’t she adorable..she was just a few days old when I met her. All the newborns were lined up and so happy to see us! What surprised me the most was how clean the farm was. No smell, no mess, nothing!

I was able to get up close and personal in the milking area. The ladies were so calm and “happy” to be there. They really seemed to enjoy their time. In fact they often don’t want to leave and at this farm, they aren’t forced to leave the area until they are ready.

Dairy Farm

After hanging out here for awhile, I was able to check out the room where they cool the milk and store it. It’s cooled from cow temp to fridge temp super fast and then stored in giant tanks. The tanks keep the milk churning so it won’t separate. There are so many details that go into running a farm, that I can’t possibly share them here. Dairy FarmOne pretty fascinating fact is that if the cow is sick and on antibiotics, she is not allowed to be in the general herd population. She is isolated and her milk is “pumped and dumped” for 30 days (I might have the exact time frame wrong, but it was close to that). Also, when the general milk is collected by the milk tankers, it is tested for antibiotics and other things. If it’s tainted the ENTIRE batch is thrown out.

Dairy Farm

Had to include this photo…no matter how interesting I found the cows, Little Man eventually got bored and was fascinated by the big trucks moving all the feed around. Boys will be Boys!

Now that we know where the milk comes from….let’s move on with the “recipe”. You can really use any of your favorite cheeses on this platter, but just make sure you pick different colors and flavors to make it interesting.

Continue to Content
Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

Christmas Tree Cheese Platter

Yield: 1 cheese platter
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

This Christmas tree cheese platter makes the perfect holiday party appetizer!

Ingredients

  • 2 pints cherry tomatoes
  • 16 oz sharp cheddar cheese (block)
  • 16 oz pepper jack cheese (block)
  • 16 oz colby jack cheese (block)
  • fresh rosemary
  • fresh thyme

Instructions

  1. Cut cheese into bite-sized cubes.
  2. Alternate rows of cheese and tomatoes. Rows should get smaller as you move up the platter. In between each row of cheese and tomatoes, add a layer of herbs.
  3. Use a cube of cheese at the bottom for a trunk. I also freehand cut a star shape out of one piece of cheese.
  4. Serve with crackers on the side.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 18 Serving Size: 2.5 oz cheese
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 300Total Fat: 24gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 7gCholesterol: 71mgSodium: 467mgCarbohydrates: 2gFiber: 0gSugar: 1gProtein: 19g

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© Wendy O'Neal
Cuisine: American / Category: appetizers

Disclaimer: This post was made in partnership with AZ Milk Producers. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

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Filed Under: appetizers, christmas, Easy Holidays

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Comments

  1. itzia says

    December 7, 2015 at 4:25 pm

    I love this. What a great presentation.

    Reply
  2. Julie @White Lights on Wednesday says

    November 18, 2014 at 10:20 am

    This is so cute Wendy. I’m a total cheese fiend. My boys would go off that this looks like a tree. 🙂

    Reply
  3. Sand says

    December 21, 2012 at 9:16 pm

    It looks lovely!

    Reply
  4. Laurie Emerson says

    December 21, 2012 at 8:53 pm

    I absolutely love it! I love how it looks just like a Christmas tree!

    Reply
  5. Vikki Billings says

    December 21, 2012 at 7:42 pm

    The cheese platter is beautiful, I love the bright colors it is very Christmasy.

    Reply
  6. Beverly Metcalf says

    December 21, 2012 at 7:08 pm

    I love that tree made out of cheese platter. The farm photos were interesting too. Thanks for having this contest!

    Reply
  7. carol lewis says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:54 pm

    That is a thing of beauty! We love cheese and bought about 8 different kinds today. Our 3 year old grandson always asks for Brie! LOL If the two little grandkids saw that they would go-that is so pretty and then chow down!

    Reply
  8. Sharold says

    December 21, 2012 at 6:19 pm

    It is a wonderful cheese plate. Makes me hungry

    Reply
  9. susan smoaks says

    December 21, 2012 at 4:29 pm

    I think that the cheese platter is super cute and I am totally stealing it for our next party!

    Reply
  10. alyce poalillo says

    December 21, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    Very bright and cheerful and a colorful functional decorating idea!

    Reply
  11. Michelle W says

    December 21, 2012 at 12:25 pm

    I looks really good

    Reply
  12. Danielle D says

    December 21, 2012 at 5:30 am

    Its cute!

    Reply
  13. Dorothy Deakyne says

    December 20, 2012 at 11:44 pm

    Love cheese, eat eat daily

    Reply
  14. Tracy Allen says

    December 20, 2012 at 7:36 pm

    I love the platter and am tempted to try it, but I can’t stand the idea of messing it up to eat it!

    Reply
  15. Christine says

    December 20, 2012 at 6:37 pm

    What a cute idea

    Reply
  16. Valerie Taylor Mabrey says

    December 20, 2012 at 5:51 pm

    yummy yummy
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

    Reply
  17. Miz Vickik says

    December 20, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    I think it looks awesome!

    Reply
  18. Paula Tavernie says

    December 20, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    I love it!!!!Its great!!!
    ptavernie at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  19. Jason says

    December 20, 2012 at 2:46 pm

    I love how it looks like a Christmas Tree! Who doesn’t like a cheese plate?!

    Reply
  20. Erica C. says

    December 20, 2012 at 2:38 pm

    The platter is amazing!!

    Reply
  21. Paula Michele Hafner says

    December 20, 2012 at 1:07 pm

    I think it looks adorable and yummy!

    Reply
  22. Leslie L. Stanziani says

    December 20, 2012 at 11:05 am

    My boys would love that.They eat tomatoes like apples and love cheese.

    Reply
  23. Anthony says

    December 18, 2012 at 6:34 pm

    The cheese platter looks good

    Reply
  24. michele says

    December 18, 2012 at 12:51 pm

    I’m going to try a version of this for my son’s preschool party!

    Reply
  25. Edna Guerrero-Cole says

    December 17, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    The cheese platter is simply festive! I love it!

    Reply
  26. Jody Sisson says

    December 17, 2012 at 7:15 pm

    It looks Great, I am going to use it for the Holidays.

    Reply
  27. Monique Rizzo says

    December 17, 2012 at 5:38 pm

    It looks really good.
    Thanks for the chance.
    mogrill12@gmail.com

    Reply
  28. Tari Lawson says

    December 17, 2012 at 4:41 am

    I really like the cheese platter. It is a very festive way to serve a holiday party staple.

    Reply
  29. Denise S says

    December 16, 2012 at 2:07 pm

    It sounds wonderful.

    Reply
  30. angie says

    December 15, 2012 at 4:01 pm

    I love it. Looks delicious.

    Reply
  31. tracy davis says

    December 15, 2012 at 12:46 pm

    I love the cheese platter

    Reply
  32. Susan Chester says

    December 15, 2012 at 12:26 pm

    I love it! It looks healthy, delicious, and festive.

    Reply
  33. debbie says

    December 15, 2012 at 6:34 am

    I think it looks cute and tastey.

    Reply
  34. Louis says

    December 15, 2012 at 3:55 am

    looks so cute like a christmas tree – love it
    Thank you for hosting this giveaway

    Louis
    pumuckler {at} gmail {dot} com

    Reply
  35. Kristi C says

    December 15, 2012 at 3:02 am

    That idea is very cute. Going to have to use it for Christmas parties.

    Reply
  36. chadro says

    December 14, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    The cheese platter is delicious and amazing!

    Reply
  37. Sue Ellison says

    December 14, 2012 at 8:08 pm

    I love it, just changed my Christmas eve menu!

    Reply
  38. Emily says

    December 14, 2012 at 4:07 pm

    I think it looks yummy!

    Reply
  39. Tamar says

    December 14, 2012 at 2:06 pm

    It’s sublime!

    Reply
  40. ally Marie says

    December 14, 2012 at 1:59 pm

    i think it is wonderful

    Reply
  41. Belinda @zomppa says

    December 13, 2012 at 6:59 pm

    Love me some cheese! A festive idea. The tour looks like it was great fun for all!

    Reply
  42. Mary Beth Elderton says

    December 13, 2012 at 11:30 am

    I love it! I may add this to my table this year. I actually pinned it before I realized there was a giveaway involved 🙂

    Reply
  43. Terri says

    December 13, 2012 at 10:44 am

    What a cute idea! I’ve just decided that’s what I’m bringing to my family’s Christmas gathering. Thank you for the very creative suggestion!

    Reply
  44. CurtnZedda Troyer says

    December 13, 2012 at 8:58 am

    It’s Cute! Might change it up a wee bit. (I rarely do exactly as told too 🙂 )

    Reply
  45. Jamie says

    December 13, 2012 at 8:46 am

    Super cute and creative! I would have to add in some blue cheese for extra noms!

    Reply

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