Festive Brie Christmas Tree Appetizers Recipe
Create charming Brie Christmas Tree appetizers perfect for festive gatherings. This easy recipe features wedges of firm Brie cheese decorated with a colorful mix of dried cranberries, nuts, and fresh herbs, held together by pretzel sticks to resemble miniature Christmas trees. Ideal for holiday parties, these elegant bite-sized treats combine creamy cheese with sweet, crunchy, and herbaceous toppings, making them both beautiful and delicious additions to any Christmas spread.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 to 10 appetizer pieces
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Cheese
- 1 wheel of Brie (170–200 g), firm and well-chilled
Garnishes
- 8 to 10 pretzel sticks (for tree trunks)
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon chopped pecans or walnuts
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped herbs (chives, parsley, or dill)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional, for adhesion)
Instructions
- Prepare the Brie Wheel: Place the chilled Brie wheel on a sturdy cutting board. With a sharp knife, carefully remove only the top layer of rind, leaving the bottom rind intact. Then, slice the wheel into 8 to 10 wedge-shaped pieces, like cutting a pie, to create your Christmas tree shapes. Work efficiently to keep the cheese firm.
- Prepare the Festive Garnish: In a shallow bowl, combine finely chopped dried cranberries, nuts, and your choice of chopped herbs. Adjust the proportions as desired to balance sweetness, crunch, and greenery for an attractive decoration.
- Assemble the Christmas Trees: Gently insert a pretzel stick into the wide base of each Brie wedge to form the tree trunk. Optionally, brush a small amount of honey or maple syrup onto the cut cheese surface to help the garnish stick. Press the sticky face of the Brie into the cranberry, nut, and herb mixture until evenly coated, resembling a decorated Christmas tree.
- Serve and Display: Arrange the finished Brie trees on a serving platter, optionally lined with fresh herbs or greens for a festive presentation. These appetizers hold well at room temperature and pair wonderfully with crackers, charcuterie, fruit preserves, or savory dips for holiday entertaining.
Notes
- Work quickly when cutting the Brie to keep it firm and prevent it from becoming too soft to handle.
- Use firm, well-chilled Brie for clean slicing and better structural integrity.
- Honey or maple syrup is optional but helps the garnishes adhere better; apply sparingly to avoid sliding.
- Customize the herb mixture with rosemary for a pine-like aroma.
- Try topping the tree tips with small slivers of yellow bell pepper or cheddar to mimic stars.
- For a sweet twist, replace nuts and herbs with crushed gingerbread cookies and a sprinkle of cinnamon.
