Spiral Cucumber Christmas Trees (Print Version)

Crisp cucumber ribbons with creamy herbed cheese and colorful garnishes, perfect for holiday gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers
02 - 6 cherry tomatoes

→ Dairy

03 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Herbs & Seasonings

04 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes & Assembly

07 - 12 small pretzel sticks
08 - 12 star-shaped yellow bell pepper slices (optional)
09 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Wash cucumbers thoroughly. Using a mandoline slicer or vegetable peeler, slice cucumbers lengthwise into long, thin ribbons.
02 - Combine cream cheese with dill, chives, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
03 - Cut each cherry tomato in half.
04 - Thread one cucumber ribbon onto a pretzel stick, folding it back and forth to form a zigzag, tree-like shape.
05 - Pipe or spoon a small dollop of herbed cream cheese onto the base of each cucumber tree.
06 - Top each tree with half a cherry tomato or a star-shaped bell pepper slice for decoration.
07 - Sprinkle sesame or poppy seeds over trees if desired.
08 - Arrange the assembled trees upright on a serving platter and serve immediately to maintain crispness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • A refreshing and light appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings.
  • Vibrant presentation with minimal effort using simple ingredients.
  • Vegetarian and gluten-free friendly, accommodating many dietary needs.
  • No cooking required, ready in just 20 minutes.
02 -
  • Use a mandoline slicer for uniform cucumber ribbons that are easier to shape.
  • Chill the cream cheese mixture before assembling to help it hold shape better.
  • Double up cucumber ribbons for sturdier trees if needed.
  • Assemble just before serving to prevent the pretzel sticks from softening.
Go Back