Wisconsin Cheesemas Tree

You might not even need a traditional tree this season—everyone will likely choose to gather around this one. An inventive way to step-up your cheese board game, it features an array of crowd-pleasing, semi-soft Wisconsin cheeses.

Equipment

1 (9 inch) floral foam cone

Ingredients

4 ounces fresh bay leaves
4 ounces fresh rosemary sprigs
6 ounces assorted Ellsworth Antonella™ herbed cheeses (Garden Vegetable with Sweet Basil, Garlic Chive with Spring Dill and Scallions with Crushed Rosemary)
8 ounces Weyauwega Star Dairy Havarti cheese*
1 (8 ounce) container Crave Brothers Ciliegine Fresh Mozzarella Balls (cherry size)*
2 pints grape tomatoes
2 (8 ounce) jars Italian whole green olives
Red and green frilled toothpicks

Instructions

Soak the floral cone in water for 10 minutes. Place on a serving tray. Cover the base of the cone with a mix of bay leaves and rosemary sprigs, securing each by sticking the stem into the floral cone. Cut half of the Antonella™ cheese into star shapes with a 1-inch star cookie cutter.
Cut remaining Antonella™ and havarti into 1/2-inch square cubes.
Drain mozzarella balls.
Thread cheeses, tomatoes and olives on toothpicks to create an assortment, adding 2 to 3 of each per toothpick. Rotate cheeses, tomatoes and olives near the frill top of each toothpick for variety. Place toothpicks into cone, ensuring the entire base is covered and a variety of picks on the tree. Tuck remaining bay leaves around the base of the cone. (Save any remaining herbs for a different dish.)

Notes

* Any brand of Wisconsin Antonella™ (or herbed cheese), havarti or fresh mozzarella balls can be used.

The more colorful the cheese is the prettier the tree will be. Choose cheeses with herb rinds and flavored cheeses for more color!

Attribution

Recipe and photo used with permission from: Dairy Farmers of Wisconsin