Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
If you’re looking for a quick, festive appetizer that looks impressive and comes together in minutes, this Christmas Tree Cheese Platter is a holiday win. With just a few simple ingredients—cheese cubes, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh rosemary—you can turn a basic snack board into a show-stopping centerpiece.
It’s bright, fresh, totally customizable, and perfect for small gatherings, family movie nights, or adding something cute and savory to your holiday buffet. And it’s so easy to make!
Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
This platter serves 4–6 people but scales beautifully, so you can make it as small or as grand as you’d like. And the best part? No cooking. No fuss. Just a few snips, cubes, and a pretty arrangement!
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Cheese Platter
- Ready in 15 minutes — perfect for busy December days
- Festive and fun — instantly brings holiday cheer to the table
- Simple ingredients — no fancy tools or hard-to-find items
- Kid-friendly — colorful, bite-sized, and easy to enjoy
- Great for parties — works as an appetizer, snack board, or part of a grazing table
Ingredients
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese, cubed
- 1 cup Gouda cheese, cubed
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- Fresh rosemary sprigs, for garnish
Instructions
1. Prepare the Ingredients
- Cut the Colby Jack and Gouda cheeses into small, bite-sized cubes.
- Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes.
2. Assemble the Christmas Tree Platter
On a large round or rectangular platter, begin by arranging the cheese cubes in a triangle shape to form the “tree.” Mix the colors together for a pretty, textured look.
Add cherry tomatoes in horizontal rows between layers of cheese to create the ornaments.
Use a few tomatoes at the top to mimic a tree topper, or leave space for a star-shaped cracker or piece of cheese if you want to get fancy.
Tuck rosemary sprigs around the edges and in between the cheese layers to resemble evergreen branches.
Add a short row of cheese cubes at the bottom for the tree “trunk,” if desired.
Tips & Tricks
- Use different cheeses like white cheddar, Havarti, or mozzarella for color contrast.
- Dry your tomatoes well so they don’t add moisture to the board.
- Keep it chilled until serving for the freshest texture.
- Add height by slightly overlapping some of the cheese layers for a fuller tree shape.
Fun Variations
- Add fruit: grapes, dried cranberries, or apple slices
- Add salty bites: pretzels, nuts, or small crackers
- Make it spicy: add pepper jack cheese cubes
- Make it extra festive: use a tiny star cookie cutter to cut a cheese “star” for the top
Serving Suggestions
Pair your Christmas Tree Cheese Platter with:
- Crackers or crostini
- Sliced baguette
- A bowl of mixed nuts
- A small dish of honey or fig jam
- A charcuterie board for a full holiday grazing table
- This super cute Grinch cheese ball.
FAQs
Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes! Assemble the platter up to 4 hours in advance. Cover it tightly with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated. Add the rosemary just before serving so it stays fresh.
Can I scale this for a bigger party?
Absolutely. Double or triple the ingredients and use a larger platter or even a sheet pan. Or make multiple trees.
Can I swap out the tomatoes?
Sure — red grapes, green grapes, or small olives all work beautifully.
What if I don’t have a tree-shaped board?
It’s not essential. You can simply make a tree shape out of the cheese on whatever platter you have.
Ready to Make Your Holiday Prep Easier?
If you love simple, festive recipes like this, make sure to check out our other Christmas appetizers and quick holiday snacks on Gagen Girls.
- Candy Cane Caprese Board
- Grinch Puppy Chow
- Christmas Wreath Butter Board
- Spiced Pecans
- Grinch Pretzels
- White Chocolate Peppermint Christmas Trees
- Ritz Reindeer Snacks
And don’t forget to pin this platter for your holiday board inspiration!
