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Here’s a fun recipe to make during the holidays for a church or family gathering. This Christmas Antipasto Cheese Spread will have everyone oohing and aahing. It makes for a pretty display on your table, and it tastes really good, too!
(Post modified on 12/18/23.)
Olive-lovers are going to adore this cheese spread. However, if you’re not too keen on olives, just pick them off. We won’t tell. The cheese itself doesn’t have olives in it, so not to fear.
And if you want to make this spread for another time of year, it can easily be formed into a regular cheeseball or a loaf. But the tree is super fun, especially for the holidays!
More Holiday Appetizers to Try
Ingredients for Christmas Antipasto Cheese Spread
(See the full recipe at the bottom of this post.)
- cream cheese, softened
- sour cream
- cheddar cheese, shredded
- dried green onions
- minced garlic
- dried minced onion
- Italian seasoning
- garlic powder
- onion powder
- red pepper flakes
- cornichons, chopped
- roasted red peppers, chopped
- sundried tomatoes, chopped
Toppings
- kalamata olives
- pimento stuffed green olives
- roasted red peppers, chopped
- sundried tomatoes, chopped
- parsley, fresh or dried
- green onions, fresh or dried
- flavored olive oil
Instructions for Making This Recipe
Begin by gathering your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. You’ll want to use a Christmas Tree-shaped dish to form the spread in. If you don’t have one, no worries. Simply use a flat platter or plate and shape your own Christmas tree.
Prepare the Ingredients
Shred the cheddar cheese.
Using a Chef’s knife and cutting board, drain and chop the cornichons (German dill pickles) and go ahead and use any of the spices in the jar to go with it.
Drain the olives, roasted red peppers and the sundried tomatoes, then pat dry with a paper towel. Coarsely chop the peppers and tomatoes with a knife and cutting board.
Make the Cheese Spread
In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, shredded cheddar cheese, sour cream, dried green onions, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, dried minced onion, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Mix with a fork or spoon until thoroughly combined.
Add to the creamed mixture the chopped cornichons, roasted red peppers, and sundried tomatoes. Mix together until combined.
Using a rubber spatula, transfer the cheese mixture to a Christmas Tree platter and spread it out to the edges, smoothing it as you go.
Add Toppings to the Spread
Now it’s time to add the fun toppings to the cheese spread to give it lots of holiday color. Decorate “the tree” with kalamata olives, pimento stuffed green olives, chopped roasted red peppers, and sundried tomatoes. Make sure to distribute the colors evenly.
Sprinkle the top with dried or fresh parsley and dried or fresh green onions.
I encourage you to use fresh herbs and onions if you’re able. Otherwise, feel free to use dried options, as I have done.
Finally, drizzle a flavored olive oil over the olives to give it even more flavor. This is optional, but it tastes wonderful.
Every December, I shop at Aldi grocery store, which often sells flavored olive oil at good prices. Flavored olive oil is great to use for drizzling over breads, appetizers, and other recipes. I encourage you buy some if you’re able.
Carefully cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (more if possible) to allow the flavors to meld.
When ready to serve, bring the cheese spread to room temperature and serve with your favorite snack crackers. I like to serve with Ritz and Trisket crackers. Be sure to provide a spreading knife for easy serving.
Wine Pairing – Pair this cheese spread with a sparkling Prosecco or Moscato d’asti.
This recipe will serve 14-16 people.
See more Appetizers Here. Browse Holiday Entertaining Ideas Here. View Italian Recipes Here.
Christmas Antipasto Cheese Spread
Ingredients
- 16 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/4 cup sour cream
- 2 tablespoons dried green onions or 4 tablespoons fresh green onions, chopped
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon dried minced onion
- 1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/3 cup cornichons chopped
- 1/3 cup roasted red peppers chopped
- 1/3 cup sundried tomatoes chopped
Toppings
- 3/4 cups kalamata olives
- 3/4 cups pimento stuffed green olives
- 1/3 cup roasted red peppers chopped
- 1/3 cup sundried tomatoes chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried parsley or 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried green onions or 1 tablespoon fresh green onions, chopped
- 2 tablespoons flavored olive oil optional
Instructions
- Begin by gathering your ingredients so that you have everything close at hand on the counter or table. You'll want to use a Christmas Tree-shaped dish to form the spread in. If you don't have one, no worries. Simply use a flat platter or plate and shape your own Christmas tree.
Prepare the Ingredients
- Using a Chef's knife and cutting board, drain and chop the cornichons (German dill pickles) and go ahead and use any of the spices in the jar to go with it.
- Drain and chop the roasted red peppers and the sundried tomatoes.
- Shred the cheddar cheese.
Make the Cheese Spread
- In a large bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, sour cream, dried green onions, minced garlic, Italian seasoning, dried minced onion, garlic powder, onion powder, and red pepper flakes. Mix with a fork or spoon until thoroughly combined.
- Add to the creamed mixture the shredded cheddar cheese, chopped cornichons, roasted red peppers, and sundried tomatoes. Mix together until combined.
- Using a rubber spatula, transfer the cheese mixture to a Christmas Tree platter and spread it out to the edges, smoothing it as you go.
Add Toppings to the Spread
- Now it's time to add the fun toppings to the cheese spread to give it lots of holiday color. Decorate "the tree" with kalamata olives, pimento stuffed green olives, chopped roasted red peppers, and sundried tomatoes. Make sure to distribute the colors evenly.
- Sprinkle the top with dried or fresh parsley and dried or fresh green onions. I encourage you to use fresh herbs and onions if you're able. Otherwise, feel free to use dried options, as I have done.
- Finally, drizzle a flavored olive oil over the olives to give it even more flavor. This is optional, but it tastes wonderful.
- Carefully cover the dish with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours (more if possible) to allow the flavors to meld.
- When ready to serve, bring the cheese spread to room temperature and serve with your favorite snack crackers. I like to serve with Ritz crackers and Triskets. Be sure to provide a spreading knife for easy serving.
- This recipe will serve 14-16 people.
