Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Platter
This Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Platter is as simple as it is festive. With cubes of Gouda, Colby Jack, juicy cherry tomatoes, and fresh rosemary sprigs, it comes together in minutes but looks like you spent hours on it. It's a fun, crowd-pleasing appetizer that's perfect for holiday parties and family gatherings.
This recipe shines during the holiday season, specially at Christmas. Charcuterie boards and cheese platters are always popular at parties, but shaping yours into a Christmas tree makes it extra special. It's one of those easy appetizers that instantly becomes the centerpiece of your holiday table.
This platter is a perfect partner for my Savory Sourdough Crackers. These crackers are cheesy, crisp, and full of flavor, making them a great match for the fresh cheeses and tomatoes in the tree. Together, they create a simple and crowd-pleasing holiday spread.
Quick Look
- Prep time: 15 mins
- Cook time: 0 mins
- Servings: 6-8
- Main ingredients: Gouda, Colby Jack, cherry tomatoes, rosemary
- Cooking method: No-cook assembly 🡢
- Difficulty: Easy
- Serving ideas: Serve with crackers, crusty bread, or alongside cured meats
Jump to:
- Quick Look
- Important Ingredients
- Substitutions & Variations
- How to Make Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Platter
- Baking Schedule
- 💭Crucial Success Tips
- Recipe FAQs
- How To Store Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Platter
- Other Delicious Recipes
- Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Platter
- Other Recipes You'll Love
- Sourdough Ciabatta Bread
- Sourdough Discard Garlic Knots
- Sourdough Browned-Butter Blondies
Important Ingredients
- Gouda cheese - creamy and mild, perfect for layering
- Colby Jack cheese - colorful and flavorful cubes that balance the Gouda
- Cherry tomatoes - juicy pops of color
- Fresh rosemary sprigs - for greenery and holiday flair
See recipe card for quantities.
Substitutions & Variations
- Cheese swaps - Try cheddar, mozzarella, or pepper jack instead of Gouda/Colby Jack.
- Veggie option - Add cucumber slices, broccoli florets, or olives for variety.
- Meat lovers - Tuck in salami or prosciutto for a charcuterie-style platter.
- Kid-friendly - Swap rosemary sprigs for pretzel sticks or crackers to "decorate" the tree.
- Gluten-free serving - Pair with gluten-free crackers so everyone can enjoy.
How to Make Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Platter
Step 1: Cut the Colby Jack and Gouda cheeses into cubes and wash the cherry tomatoes (Image 1).
Step 2: On a large Christmas tree-shaped platter, start at the top with a layer of Gouda cheese cubes (Image 2).
Step 3: Add a layer of cherry tomatoes directly beneath the Gouda (Image 3).
Step 4: Place a layer of Colby Jack cheese cubes below, continuing the tree shape downward (Image 4).
Step 5: Add fresh rosemary sprigs beneath the Colby Jack to give the tree a touch of greenery (Image 5).
Step 6: Repeat the pattern with another layer of Gouda (Image 6).
Step 7: Then add cherry tomatoes, followed by Colby Jack (Image 7).
Step 8: Finish by placing fresh rosemary sprigs at the bottom for a final festive touch of green (Image 8).
Hint: Use toothpicks to secure tomatoes if you'll be transporting the platter.
Baking Schedule
No baking needed for this recipe, just prep, assemble, and serve right away.
💭Crucial Success Tips
- Cut cheese cubes evenly so the layers look neat and balanced.
- Use a sturdy platter, you don't want your tree shifting when you move it.
- Fresh rosemary looks great, but don't overload it or the flavor can overpower the cheese.
Recipe FAQs
Butter crackers, water crackers, or a sliced baguette pair perfectly.
Absolutely! Grapes, dried cranberries, or nuts work beautifully for extra color and texture.
How To Store Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Platter
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge where they'll stay fresh for up to 2-3 days. This recipe is not freezer-friendly, as the tomatoes lose their texture and the cheese doesn't hold up well once thawed.
Other Delicious Recipes
- Sourdough Ciabatta Bread
- Sourdough Discard Garlic Knots
- Sourdough Browned-Butter Blondies
- Soft Sourdough Italian Milk Rolls
If you tried this Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Platter or any other recipe on my blog please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below! Happy Baking!
Christmas Tree-Shaped Cheese Platter
Ingredients
- 1 cup Colby Jack cheese cubed
- 1 cup Gouda cheese cubed
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- rosemary sprigs Fresh, for garnish
Instructions
- Cut the Colby Jack and Gouda cheeses into cubes and wash the cherry tomatoes.
- On a large Christmas tree-shaped platter, start at the top with a layer of Gouda cheese cubes.
- Add a layer of cherry tomatoes directly beneath the Gouda.
- Place a layer of Colby Jack cheese cubes below, continuing the tree shape downward.
- Add fresh rosemary sprigs beneath the Colby Jack to give the tree a touch of greenery.
- Repeat the pattern with another layer of Gouda,
- Then add cherry tomatoes, followed by Colby Jack.
- Finish by placing fresh rosemary sprigs at the bottom for a final festive touch of green.
