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Snack & Appetizers

Potato Chip Christmas Tree

Potato Chip Christmas Tree: a cream cheese cone covered in crisp chips and chives, a quick, eye-catching holiday appetizer.
Recipe Potato Chip Christmas Tree
  • Difficulty Medium
  • Preparation 5 minutes
  • Servings for 4 people

Looking for the right way to bring out the magic of the holidays and surprise everyone with an eye-catching appetizer? Then let yourself be won over by this potato chip Christmas tree recipe: an original creation, ready in no time and perfect as an edible Christmas centerpiece. This recipe brings all the cheer of the Christmas season to the table with simple ingredients and a spectacular result. Picture a trunk of cream cheese, flavored with chives, nutmeg and black pepper, that becomes the base of a true savory Christmas tree. The branches come to life with crunchy baked potato chips, while a light dusting of grated cheese creates the effect of a gentle snowfall, making everything even more festive.

Making this Christmas finger food with potato chips is very simple and you won’t need an oven or any special tools: just shape the cheese and, in a few minutes plus a short rest in the freezer, you’ll bring to the table a savory tree for the Christmas holidays that will delight adults and kids alike. A touch of creativity and your appetizer will be ready to be enjoyed or photographed. You can customize the filling with ingredients such as salmon, spices or fresh herbs, or make several little trees with different flavors for a truly unique presentation. If you’re looking for a tasty Christmas Eve appetizer or a quick recipe for the Christmas holidays, this tree is the ideal solution, perfect for sharing with friends or family throughout the holidays.

Want to add more tasty ideas to your holiday buffet? Also try the Tartlets with Duchess Potato Trees and Spinach, the soft and showstopping Savory Danubio Christmas Tree, or the Salmon Stuffed Potatoes for a mix of flavors that will please every palate. And don’t forget the Christmas Potato Chips to complete your holiday table.

Ingredients for 4 people

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Method

  1. To make the Potato Chip Christmas Tree, start with the cheese trunk. Take a large bowl and add the cream cheese. Add the dried chives and sprinkle with a pinch of nutmeg and a pinch of black pepper. Using a hand whisk, work all the ingredients together until you have a smooth, well-flavored cream.
    Potato Chip Christmas Tree, step 1: cream cheese whisked with chives, nutmeg and black pepper
  2. Lay some sheets of plastic wrap on the work surface. Using a spatula, transfer the cheese cream onto the plastic wrap. With your hands, shape a cone with a base about eight centimeters (3 inches) in diameter and about fifteen centimeters (6 inches) high, which will be your tree trunk.
    Potato Chip Christmas Tree, step 2: cheese cream shaped into a cone on plastic wrap
  3. Wrap the cone tightly in the plastic wrap and put it in the freezer for at least an hour. The ideal time for the perfect consistency is forty to fifty minutes: the cheese must be firm enough to hold the chips but not completely frozen.
  4. Meanwhile, cut a star out of the Emmental using a star-shaped cutter. Set out on the work surface the chips, a serving platter, preferably red, the grated cheese for the snow effect and the rosemary sprigs for the final decoration.
  5. After the resting time, take the trunk out of the freezer and gently remove the plastic wrap. Stand it upright in the center of the serving platter.
    Potato Chip Christmas Tree, step 5: chilled cheese cone standing upright on the serving platter
  6. Starting from the bottom, insert the chips into the cheese trunk. Arrange them with the concave side facing the base of the tree, pushing them lightly into the cheese. Stagger them to create a full, lush tree, mimicking branches that hang downward. Continue up to the top, leaving only the tip free.
    Potato Chip Christmas Tree, step 6: chips pushed into the cheese cone from the bottom up
  7. Thread the Emmental star onto a long toothpick and place it in the center of the tip of the trunk, just like the star that crowns a traditional Christmas tree.
    Potato Chip Christmas Tree, step 7: Emmental star on a toothpick at the top of the tree
  8. Dust the tree with the grated aged cheese to create a snow effect. Add another pinch of chives to decorate and scatter a few rosemary sprigs at the base or between the chips for a touch of green that recalls a fir tree. Your Potato Chip Christmas Tree is ready to be served as a showstopping, tasty appetizer.
  9. Serve the tree in the center of the table and let your guests help themselves by pulling off the chips coated with the cheese cream. The surprise effect is guaranteed. Finally, remember to download our App with exclusive content and fewer ads!

Variations and Alternatives

You can customize the flavor of the cream cheese by using store-bought flavored versions: herb, salmon, jalapeño, or a plant-based one for a vegan version. If you don’t like chives, replace them with chopped parsley, dill or dried basil. For a stronger flavor, also add some grated Parmigiano to the cheese while mixing. You can replace classic chips with barbecue, paprika or cheese flavored ones for different pairings. For a more elegant touch, alternate the chips with thin slices of salami or prosciutto. If you prefer a lighter version, use light cream cheese and baked chips. Make several trees with different flavors to offer your guests some variety.

Tips

To get a trunk that is stable and easy to work with, it is essential to respect the resting time in the freezer: if the cheese is too soft it won’t hold the chips, and if it is too frozen it will be impossible to push them in. The ideal time is forty to fifty minutes. Assemble the tree shortly before serving to keep the chips crunchy. If you have trouble pushing in the chips, leave the trunk at room temperature for a few minutes. For an even more striking result, use a red or Christmas-themed serving platter.

Storage

The Potato Chip Christmas Tree is best eaten the same day it is made, to keep the chips crunchy and the cheese at the right consistency. If you make the trunk ahead, you can keep it covered with plastic wrap in the fridge for a day, but add the chips only shortly before serving so they don’t go soft. Freezing the assembled appetizer is not recommended.

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