Christmas Lights Appetizer Spread Recipe
Introduction
This Christmas Lights Appetizer Spread is a festive and colorful way to start your holiday gatherings. Creamy cheese combined with fresh veggies arranged like holiday lights creates a fun and healthy appetizer that everyone will love.
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried chives
- Salt, to taste
- 12–16 mini sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, green)
- ½ cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
- Fresh parsley or dill sprigs
- Black olives, sliced
- 1 bunch fresh chives or green onions
- Gluten-free crackers or baguette slices
- Assorted vegetable dippers such as carrot sticks and celery
Instructions
- Step 1: In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sour cream, shredded cheddar cheese, minced garlic, black pepper, paprika, dried chives, and salt. Stir until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
- Step 2: Spread the cheese mixture evenly on a large serving platter, shaping it into a wide oval or rectangle to resemble a string of lights.
- Step 3: Arrange fresh chives or green onion strips across the cheese spread in a winding, looping pattern to mimic a string of holiday lights.
- Step 4: Slice the mini bell peppers lengthwise and remove the seeds. Place the pepper halves, halved tomatoes, cucumber slices, and olive slices at intervals along the chive wires to represent Christmas bulbs and sockets.
- Step 5: Garnish the arrangement with fresh parsley or dill sprigs. Serve immediately with gluten-free crackers and assorted vegetable dippers.
Tips & Variations
- For extra flavor, add a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of hot sauce to the cheese spread.
- Use any colorful vegetables you like to create your “bulbs,” such as radishes or small cauliflower florets.
- Prepare the spread a few hours ahead and refrigerate; bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Storage
Store any leftover cheese spread in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Keep vegetable toppings separate if possible to preserve freshness. Reheat is not necessary; serve chilled or at room temperature.
How to Serve
Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make this appetizer vegan?
Yes, substitute the cream cheese, sour cream, and cheddar with your favorite plant-based alternatives. Use vegan cheese and non-dairy sour cream for a similar creamy texture.
What if I don’t have mini bell peppers?
You can use sliced regular bell peppers, cherry tomatoes, or even small pieces of roasted red pepper as substitutes to maintain the colorful “bulbs” effect.
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Christmas Lights Appetizer Spread Recipe
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 8–10 1x
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
This festive Christmas Lights Appetizer Spread is a colorful and delicious cheese-based dish designed to resemble a string of holiday lights. Creamy and flavorful with sharp cheddar, garlic, and chives, the spread is artfully decorated with an assortment of fresh mini bell peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers, black olives, and fresh herbs. Perfect for holiday gatherings, it pairs wonderfully with gluten-free crackers and vegetable sticks, creating a visually appealing and tasty starter that delights both eyes and taste buds.
Ingredients
Cheese Spread
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup sour cream
- 1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese
- 1 small garlic clove, minced
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- ¼ tsp paprika
- ½ tsp dried chives
- Salt, to taste
Vegetable Decorations
- 12–16 mini sweet bell peppers (red, yellow, orange, green), sliced lengthwise and seeded
- ½ cup grape or cherry tomatoes, halved
- ½ cucumber, sliced into thin rounds
- Black olives, sliced
- Fresh parsley or dill sprigs
- 1 bunch fresh chives or green onions
Serving
- Gluten-free crackers or baguette slices
- Assorted vegetable dippers such as carrot sticks and celery
Instructions
- Prepare Cheese Spread: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, shredded sharp cheddar cheese, minced garlic, black pepper, paprika, dried chives, and salt. Stir thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy.
- Shape Spread on Platter: Transfer the cheese mixture onto a large serving platter. Spread it evenly and shape into a wide oval or rectangle to mimic the shape of a string of lights, providing a base for your decoration.
- Lay Out Wires: Take fresh chives or green onion strips and arrange them in a winding, looping pattern across the spread to resemble the wires of holiday string lights.
- Add Decorative Bulbs: Place the sliced mini sweet bell pepper halves, halved grape or cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, and sliced black olives intermittently along the chive wires. This will create the visual effect of Christmas light bulbs and sockets.
- Garnish and Serve: Garnish the entire arrangement with fresh parsley or dill sprigs to add a touch of greenery and fresh aroma. Serve immediately alongside gluten-free crackers and a variety of vegetable dippers such as carrot sticks and celery for a delightful festive appetizer.
Notes
- For best results, soften cream cheese to room temperature ahead of time to ensure easy mixing.
- If preferred, add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a mild spicy kick to the cheese spread.
- Use fresh, colorful mini bell peppers for an eye-catching presentation.
- This spread can be prepared a few hours in advance and refrigerated; just add the fresh vegetable decorations just before serving to keep them crisp.
- Gluten-free crackers can be substituted with toasted baguette slices if gluten is not a concern.
- Leftovers can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas appetizer, cheese spread, holiday party food, festive appetizer, gluten-free appetizers, vegetable dip, cream cheese spread
