Holiday Fruit Platter (Easy Christmas Tree Fruit Tray)
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Looking for fun and festive healthy appetizer this Christmas? This Holiday Fruit Platter turns juicy grapes, sweet raspberries, and sharp cheddar cheese into an adorable Christmas tree that’s almost too pretty to eat. It’s a colorful, no cook addition to your Christmas Eve celebrations, holiday parties, or cozy family movie nights.
Who says holiday appetizers and snacks have to be complicated? This Christmas Tree charcuterie board uses just a handful of simple ingredients arranged into a festive tree shape, complete with rosemary branches and a little cheese trunk.
We always have an abundance of fresh rosemary, living on the west coast of Canada, and I’m always looking for ways to use it up. Which is why I thought it would make a great option for the tree branches.
The combination of sweet, juicy fruit and savory cheddar cheese makes it a refreshing alternative to all those Christmas cookies and rich holiday treats.
It’s a cute recipe I like to put together with my kids. They especially like to help build the layers of the tree. Plus, there’s no cooking involved, and you can have the whole thing ready in about 15 minutes.
Serve it for Christmas Eve, bring it along to holiday potlucks, and classroom parties or set it out for a Christmas movie night when everyone wants something fresh to snack on.
⭐️ Try our our other favorite fall appetizers and Christmas Eve appetizers and festive gatherings.
Why You’ll Love This Fun & Easy Christmas Fruit Platter
Recipe at a Glance
Holiday Fruit Tree Platter
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Servings: 4 to 8
- Ingredients: Green grapes, red grapes, cheddar cheese, raspberries, and rosemary sprigs
- Method: No cook, assemble and serve
Ingredients for Holiday Fruit Tree Platter
- 2 – 2 ½ cups green grapes: These make up the bright green branches of your Christmas tree. Choose firm, seedless grapes for easy snacking.
- 1 – 1 ½ cups red grapes: Add a pretty pop of red and a little extra sweetness to your fruit tree.
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cubed: The savory cheese balances the sweetness of the fruit and adds a contrasting color to the tree.
- 3 oz fresh raspberries: Their bright red color gives your Christmas tree a festive finish. Choose firm berries that will hold their shape.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs: Tucked between the layers, rosemary adds a little greenery and gives the platter that classic Christmas tree look.
PRO TIP: Wash and thoroughly dry your fruit before arranging them. Dry fruit will help keep your Christmas Tree Fruit Tray looking fresh and prevent the cheese from getting soggy.
Equipment You’ll Need
- 9×13 inch serving platter
- Cutting board
- Sharp knife
⭐️ Also try our fun pumpkin deviled eggs and festive Christmas pinwheels, or these kid friendly holiday appetizers.
How to Make a Holiday Fruit Tree Platter
1. Prepare the ingredients
Wash and thoroughly dry the grapes, raspberries, and rosemary. Cut the sharp cheddar cheese into bite-sized cubes so they’re easy to arrange and snack on.
2. Start Building Your Christmas Tree
Place two small sprigs of fresh rosemary near the bottom of your serving platter.
Just above the rosemary, arrange two rows of green grapes, making the second row slightly shorter than the first.
This creates the wide base of your Christmas tree.
3. Add the Red Grapes
Tuck two small sprigs of rosemary along the sides above the green grapes.
Next, arrange two rows of red grapes, making each row slightly narrower as you work upward.
Add another layer of green and red grapes on top of the existing fruit to give your tree a fuller, three-dimensional look.
4. Layer in the Cheddar Cheese Cubes
Above the grapes, arrange two rows of cubed cheddar cheese, continuing to narrow the shape of your tree.
Add a small sprig of rosemary on either side, then place another layer of cheese cubes on top to create more height.
5. Add the Raspberries
Arrange two rows of fresh raspberries above the cheese, making each row smaller as you move toward the top.
Add another layer of raspberries for fullness, then tuck in a few small rosemary sprigs for extra greenery.
6. Finish Your Christmas Tree
Top your tree with a few green grapes, finishing with red grapes at the very top.
Place a single cheddar cheese cube at the center of the bottom of the tree to create a little trunk.
Your festive Holiday Fruit Tree Platter is ready to serve!
How to Store Your Christmas Tree Fruit Tray
Make ahead: You can wash and dry the grapes and cut the cheese up to a day ahead. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. For the freshest appearance, add the raspberries when assembling the platter.
Refrigerate: Cover the finished fruit platter tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to serve. It’s best assembled the day you plan to enjoy it.
Leftovers: Remove the rosemary and transfer leftover fruit and cheese to separate airtight containers. Refrigerate promptly and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best quality.
Food safety: Don’t leave the fruit and cheese platter at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Tips & Variations
- Choose firm, fresh fruit: Grapes and raspberries that are firm and dry will hold their shape better, especially if your platter will be sitting out during a party.
- Keep the tree shape balanced: Start with wider rows at the bottom and gradually make each section narrower as you work toward the top.
- Make it extra festive: Use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star from a slice of cheddar cheese and place it at the top of your Christmas tree.
- Mix up the cheese: Try Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or mozzarella cubes if your family prefers a milder cheese.
- Skip the cheese: Replace the cheese layers with extra green grapes, sliced kiwi, or other colorful fruit for an all fruit Christmas tree.
- Add more colorful fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries can be added for a different look. Just keep the colors grouped together so the tree shape stands out.
- Make it kid-friendly: Let the kids help arrange the fruit and cheese into rows. It’s an easy way to get them involved in preparing Christmas Eve snacks or holiday appetizers.
Serving Suggestions
This Christmas Tree Fruit Tray is a fun addition to just about any holiday gathering.
- Christmas Eve: Serve alongside cheese and crackers, dips, and other easy holiday appetizers and snacks.
- Holiday parties and potlucks: Add it to a festive buffet for a fresh, colorful option among the richer dishes.
- Christmas movie nights: Pair it with popcorn, hot chocolate, and Christmas cookies for a fun family snack spread.
- Christmas morning: Serve alongside muffins, cinnamon rolls, or a breakfast casserole for a little something fresh.
For an extra treat, add a small bowl of vanilla yogurt dip or cream cheese fruit dip on the side.
Final Thoughts
This easy Holiday Fruit Platter is a fun way to add something fresh and colorful to your Christmas celebrations without spending hours in the kitchen.
Whether you’re hosting Christmas Eve, bringing a dish to a holiday potluck, or planning a cozy movie night with the family, this festive fruit and cheese tree is a simple snack that looks festive and is healthy.
Holiday Christmas Tree Fruit Platter
This Holiday Fruit Platter turns juicy grapes, sweet raspberries, and sharp cheddar cheese into an adorable Christmas tree appetizer that's almost too pretty to eat. It's a colorful, no cook addition to your Christmas Eve celebrations, holiday parties, or cozy family movie nights.
Ingredients
- 2 - 2 ½ cups green grapes
- 1 - 1 ½ cups red grapes
- 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese, cubed
- 3 oz fresh raspberries
- Fresh rosemary sprigs
Instructions
1. Prepare the ingredients
Wash and thoroughly dry the grapes, raspberries, and rosemary. Cut the sharp cheddar cheese into bite-sized cubes so they're easy to arrange and snack on.
2. Start Building Your Christmas Tree
Place two small sprigs of fresh rosemary near the bottom of your serving platter.
Just above the rosemary, arrange two rows of green grapes, making the second row slightly shorter than the first.
This creates the wide base of your Christmas tree.
3. Add the Red Grapes
Tuck two small sprigs of rosemary along the sides above the green grapes.
Next, arrange two rows of red grapes, making each row slightly narrower as you work upward.
Add another layer of green and red grapes on top of the existing fruit to give your tree a fuller, three-dimensional look.
4. Layer in the Cheddar Cheese Cubes
Above the grapes, arrange two rows of cubed cheddar cheese, continuing to narrow the shape of your tree.
Add a small sprig of rosemary on either side, then place another layer of cheese cubes on top to create more height.
5. Add the Raspberries
Arrange two rows of fresh raspberries above the cheese, making each row smaller as you move toward the top.
Add another layer of raspberries for fullness, then tuck in a few small rosemary sprigs for extra greenery.
6. Finish Your Christmas Tree
Top your tree with a few green grapes, finishing with red grapes at the very top.
Place a single cheddar cheese cube at the center of the bottom of the tree to create a little trunk.
Your festive Holiday Fruit Tree Platter is ready to serve!
How to Store Your Christmas Tree Fruit Tray
Make ahead: You can wash and dry the grapes and cut the cheese up to a day ahead. Store them separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. For the freshest appearance, add the raspberries when assembling the platter.
Refrigerate: Cover the finished fruit platter tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you're ready to serve. It's best assembled the day you plan to enjoy it.
Leftovers: Remove the rosemary and transfer leftover fruit and cheese to separate airtight containers. Refrigerate promptly and enjoy within 1–2 days for the best quality.
Food safety: Don't leave the fruit and cheese platter at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Notes
Tips & Variations
- Choose firm, fresh fruit: Grapes and raspberries that are firm and dry will hold their shape better, especially if your platter will be sitting out during a party.
- Keep the tree shape balanced: Start with wider rows at the bottom and gradually make each section narrower as you work toward the top.
- Make it extra festive: Use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to cut a star from a slice of cheddar cheese and place it at the top of your Christmas tree.
- Mix up the cheese: Try Monterey Jack, Colby Jack, or mozzarella cubes if your family prefers a milder cheese.
- Skip the cheese: Replace the cheese layers with extra green grapes, sliced kiwi, or other colorful fruit for an all fruit Christmas tree.
- Add more colorful fruit: Strawberries, blueberries, or blackberries can be added for a different look. Just keep the colors grouped together so the tree shape stands out.
- Make it kid-friendly: Let the kids help arrange the fruit and cheese into rows. It's an easy way to get them involved in preparing Christmas Eve snacks or holiday appetizers.
Serving Suggestions
- Christmas Eve: Serve alongside cheese and crackers, dips, and other easy holiday appetizers and snacks.
- Holiday parties and potlucks: Add it to a festive buffet for a fresh, colorful option among the richer dishes.
- Christmas movie nights: Pair it with popcorn, hot chocolate, and Christmas cookies for a fun family snack spread.
- Christmas morning: Serve alongside muffins, cinnamon rolls, or a breakfast casserole for a little something fresh.
- For an extra treat, add a small bowl of vanilla yogurt dip or cream cheese fruit dip on the side.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 8 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 183Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 28mgSodium: 188mgCarbohydrates: 19gFiber: 2gSugar: 15gProtein: 8g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered from online calculators.
