Cheese and Crackers Christmas Tree Recipe | Recipe Iseasy Kitchen

Cheese and Crackers Christmas Tree

Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 8 to 10
Nutritional Information Per Serving (1 of 10 servings): Calories 550 | Total Fat 38 g | Saturated Fat 19 g | Carbohydrates 35 g | Dietary Fiber 2 g | Sugar 4 g | Protein 18 g | Cholesterol 97 mg | Sodium 951 mg
Total Time: 1 hour (includes refrigeration)
Preparation Time: 30 minutes

Elevate your holiday appetizers with this eye-catching cheese-and-cracker Christmas tree that's surprisingly simple to prepare. Offer extra crackers alongside for serving. Transform your party into a festive wonderland with this dazzling edible centerpieceguests will be amazed at how easy it is to craft this holiday showstopper!

Ingredients

Two 8-ounce blocks cream cheese, softened to room temperature
2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons finely grated lemon zest
5 cups shredded white Cheddar cheese (approximately 16 ounces)
Kosher salt
1 pretzel rod
1/3 cup finely chopped fresh parsley, plus additional for garnish
1/2 cup pretzel sticks (about 40 pieces)
1/2 cup mini buttery crackers (about 45 pieces)
1/4 cup sliced almonds
2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds
2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
Extra crackers for serving

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Instructions

In a stand mixer bowl fitted with the paddle attachment, combine the cream cheese, Worcestershire sauce, lemon zest, shredded Cheddar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed with a rubber spatula.
On a serving platter, place about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture, then insert a pretzel rod vertically (this will act as the tree's support). Continue adding the cheese mixture around the rod, shaping it into a cone roughly 6 inches wide and 10 inches tall.
Press the chopped parsley evenly onto the outside of the cheese cone to mimic greenery and cover all white patches. Refrigerate until firm, around 30 minutes.
Decorate the tree by inserting pretzel sticks, mini buttery crackers, and sliced almonds at a downward angle to create the appearance of branches. Alternate between these toppings for variety and texture. For the top portion, break pretzel sticks in half to keep the proportions right. Crown the tree with a single sliced almond as the "star," and nestle the pomegranate seeds among the branches to resemble festive lights. Finish by dusting the edges with additional chopped parsley and grated Parmesan "snow." Serve alongside extra crackers.