Creamy Cranberry Pecan Christmas Tree Appetizers Recipe
Creamy Cranberry Pecan Christmas Tree Appetizers are festive no-bake treats featuring a buttery cracker crust topped with a smooth cream cheese layer, decorated with crunchy pecans, sweet dried cranberries, fresh parsley, and pretzel sticks as tree trunks. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these visually charming appetizers are easy to prepare and serve chilled.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 16-20 appetizer pieces 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 ½ cups crushed buttery crackers (Ritz or similar)
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
Creamy Layer
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup shredded sharp cheddar (optional, light)
- ¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp onion powder
- Salt & pepper to taste
Toppings & Garnish
- ½ cup chopped pecans
- ½ cup dried cranberries (coarsely chopped)
- 2–3 tbsp finely chopped fresh parsley
- 1 tbsp honey or maple syrup (optional, for glossy finish)
- Pretzel sticks (for tree trunks)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Make the Crust: Combine crushed buttery crackers and melted butter in a bowl. Mix until it resembles wet sand, then press evenly into a parchment-lined 8×8 inch pan. Chill in the fridge while preparing the filling.
- Prepare the Creamy Layer: Beat together cream cheese, sour cream, garlic powder, onion powder, salt, and pepper until smooth. Spread evenly over the chilled crust and refrigerate again for 20–30 minutes to firm up.
- Add the Festive Toppings: Mix chopped pecans, dried cranberries, and parsley in a small bowl. Sprinkle evenly over the cream cheese layer and lightly press to adhere. Optionally, drizzle honey or maple syrup for a shiny festive glow.
- Cut and Decorate: Remove the chilled block from the fridge and cut into triangle shapes resembling Christmas trees. Gently insert a pretzel stick at the base of each triangle to form the tree trunk.
- Serve & Impress: Arrange the Christmas tree appetizers on a serving platter, garnish with rosemary sprigs if desired, and serve chilled. These festive bites make a wonderful highlight of your holiday spread.
Notes
- Use softened cream cheese for easier mixing and a smoother texture.
- For a tangier flavor, substitute sour cream with Greek yogurt.
- The shredded cheddar is optional but adds a nice sharpness to the creamy layer.
- Honey or maple syrup drizzle is optional but adds a beautiful glossy finish.
- Store leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- For a nut-free option, omit pecans and add extra dried cranberries or seeds.
Keywords: holiday appetizers, no-bake appetizers, Christmas appetizers, creamy cranberry pecan bites, festive appetizers, cream cheese appetizers, holiday party food
