When the crowd arrives for holiday revelry, wow them with this wonderful Christmas tree cheese board.

The recipe, developed by Cabot Creamery, builds the tree with different flavored Cabot Cheddar cheese cubes—Pepper Jack, Extra Sharp Cheddar, Chipotle Cheddar, Tomato Basil Cheddar and Horseradish Cheddar.

The company also makes “Light” reduced fat Cheddars in Sharp and Jalapeño.

But you can use any semi-hard cheeses: young Asiago, Colby, Edam, Fontinella, aged Gouda, Jack, Manchego, Provolone and Queso Blanco, for starters (learn more about these cheeses in our Cheese Glossary).

If there are any leftovers, use them in cheese omelets or a fondue.
 
RECIPE: CHEESE CHRISTMAS TREE

Ingredients

Gouda wishes for a happy holiday! Photo courtesy of Cabot Creamery.

 
Preparation

1. CUT each bar of cheese into 1-inch cubes.

2. ARRANGE the cubes in rows on a large platter or cutting board, to form tree shape. If you can, use a different shade of cheese for each row. Separate the rows of cheese with thyme or rosemary sprigs (rosemary looks like an evergreen twig) and rows of grape tomatoes and/or pimento-stuffed green olives.

3. CREATE the star on top by carving a star pattern into shape with the point of a sharp knife, or similarly carve mozzarella.

Enjoy the compliments!