Goat Cheese Christmas Trees with Apples
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I recently came across these little Christmas appetizer trees on social media and instantly fell in love with the idea. So I created my own version: Goat Cheese Christmas Trees with Caramelized Apples. They look absolutely gorgeous for the holidays… and they’re really easy to make!
Table des matières
In France, an aperitif is more than just a drink before a meal, it is a social ritual. Small snacks such as cheese, olives or appetizers are served with a glass of wine or champagne and it is all about being together, chatting and enjoying. This turns the moment before the actual Christmas menu at the festive table into a relaxed get-together.
My 3 Tips for Perfect Goat Cheese Christmas Trees
Before we get to the recipe, here are my best tips to make sure your goat cheese Christmas canapés turn out beautifully:
- Toast bread properly: Fry the bread circles in butter until golden brown on both sides to give them a crispy base and keep them stable when stacked.
- Caramelize the apple cubes: In the same pan, caramelize the diced apple with a little butter and honey. You can use raw apple cubes if you prefer, but trust me, caramelized ones taste so much better!
- Adjust the cheese cream: Measure out the amount of cream so that the goat’s cheese cream is spreadable but not too runny. This allows it to be spread neatly onto the bread and keeps the Christmas trees stable.
Recipe card
Goat Cheese Christmas Trees with Apples
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Ingredients
Christmas goat cheese appetizer
- 5 slices of sandwich bread
- 2 tbsp butter 30 g
- 5 oz fresh goat cheese 150 g
- 1/3 to 1/2 cup heavy cream 75 to 100 ml, depending on the desired consistency
- 4 sprigs of fresh thyme or 1 tsp dried thyme
- 1 tso honey
- salt & pepper
For the caramelized apples
- 1 apple Gala, Golden, or Granny Smith
- 1 tsp honey
- 1 tbsp butter 15 g
Instructions
- Using two round cookie cutters of different sizes, cut two circles of about 1.2–1.5 inches (3–4 cm) and two smaller circles of about 0.8 inches (2 cm) from each slice of sandwich bread.
- In a skillet, heat the butter over medium heat and toast the bread circles until golden on both sides.
- Cut the apple into small cubes, about 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) each.
- In the same skillet, melt the butter again and caramelize the apple pieces. Add the honey and cook until the apples are tender and lightly golden.
- Mix the fresh goat cheese, cream, honey, thyme, and a pinch of salt and pepper with a fork. Adjust the amount of cream to achieve a spreadable consistency.
- Using a piping bag, spread a layer of the goat cheese mixture on each bread circle. Then assemble each “tree” as follows: a large circle, a few apple pieces, and a small circle on top. Finish with a sprig of thyme and a little freshly ground pepper.
- Serve immediately or within two hours.
Notes
Nutrition
3 Variation Ideas for Your Christmas Tree Canapés
Did you like this recipe? Here are a few ideas to try next time:
- Cream cheese & salmon: A timeless Christmas finger food classic.
- Avocado cream & prawns: A good lactose-free alternative; sauté the prawns briefly in a pan with a little garlic.
- Whippe feta cheese & sun-dried tomatoes: A Mediterranean twist with a rich, savoury kick.
FAQ – Goat Cheese Christmas Trees with Apples
Yes, you can use baguette, ciabatta or wholemeal bread, for example. It is important that the bread is a little firmer so that it holds the Christmas tree shape and does not become too soft when it is spread with butter and cream cheese.
Firmer apple varieties such as Gala, Golden or Granny Smith are ideal. They keep their shape when caramelized and become beautifully sweet without becoming too mushy.
Yes, you can prepare the Christmas trees, but it’s best to assemble them just before serving so that the bread stays crispy and the apple cubes don’t get too soft. The individual components such as the bread circles, caramelized apples and cheese cream can easily be prepared a day in advance.
You can replace the goat’s cheese with cream cheese, ricotta or whipped feta. Please note that the taste and creaminess may vary slightly, but the fir trees can be prepared just as well.
I will try this for Christmas. It really looks so good. Thank you
Thank you Kitty, let me know if you liked them 🙂