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Festive Pistachio-Cranberry Holiday Cheese Trees

Creamy cheese mixture shaped into mini Christmas trees, coated in pistachios and cranberries for a festive, no-bake holiday appetizer.
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Prep Time 20 minutes
Chill time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 20 mini trees
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: American, Holiday
Calories: 150
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Cheese Mixture
  • 16 oz cream cheese softened
  • 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese shredded
  • 2 green onions finely chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic minced
  • 1 tsp Worcestershire sauce
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 0.25 tsp black pepper
Coating and Garnish
  • 1 cup shelled pistachios finely chopped
  • 0.5 cup dried cranberries finely chopped, plus extra whole
  • 20 pretzel sticks optional, for trunks
  • fresh rosemary or parsley optional, for garnish

Equipment

  • Mixing bowls
  • Hand mixer or stand mixer
  • Food processor
  • Serving platter

Method
 

  1. Beat softened cream cheese and shredded cheddar until smooth.
  2. Mix in green onions, garlic, Worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper.
  3. Fold in 1/4 cup chopped cranberries.
  4. Mix chopped pistachios and remaining cranberries on a plate for coating.
  5. Shape cheese mixture into cone-shaped trees (about 2-3 tbsp each).
  6. Roll each tree in the pistachio-cranberry mixture to coat evenly.
  7. Insert pretzel stick for trunk and add garnish if desired.
  8. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.

Notes

Make ahead up to 24 hours. Store in fridge. Best served chilled with crackers.