Spiral Cucumber Ribbon Trees (Printable Version)

Crisp cucumber ribbons shaped as festive trees with creamy cheese and fresh herbs, perfect for holiday gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers
02 - 6 cherry tomatoes

→ Dairy

03 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, softened

→ Herbs & Seasonings

04 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, finely chopped
05 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
06 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnishes & Assembly

07 - 12 small pretzel sticks
08 - 12 star-shaped yellow bell pepper slices (optional)
09 - 1 tbsp sesame seeds or poppy seeds (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Wash cucumbers thoroughly. Using a mandoline slicer or vegetable peeler, slice cucumbers lengthwise into long, thin ribbons.
02 - In a small bowl, combine softened cream cheese with fresh dill, chives, salt, and pepper until smooth.
03 - Cut each cherry tomato in half.
04 - Thread one cucumber ribbon gently onto a pretzel stick, folding it in a back-and-forth zigzag pattern to resemble a Christmas tree.
05 - Spoon or pipe a small dollop of the herbed cream cheese at the base of each cucumber tree.
06 - Top each tree with a half cherry tomato or a star-shaped bell pepper slice for decoration.
07 - Sprinkle with sesame seeds or poppy seeds if desired.
08 - Arrange the trees upright on a serving platter and serve immediately to maintain pretzel stick crispness.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Refreshing and light holiday appetizer that’s easy to prepare.
  • Visually charming with festive cucumber tree shapes.
  • Versatile and suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free diets.
  • Combines fresh herbs and creamy cheese for balanced flavor.
  • Perfect finger food for party settings.
02 -
  • Use a mandoline slicer for evenly thin cucumber ribbons, ensuring uniform folding.
  • Prepare the herbed cream cheese in advance and keep it chilled for easier piping.
  • Assemble just before serving to maintain the crispness of the pretzel sticks.
  • Experiment with different herb combinations like parsley or tarragon for varied flavors.
  • For more vibrant colors, swap the yellow bell pepper stars with red or green varieties.
Go Back