Save A festive and colorful appetizer featuring juicy strawberries, creamy cheese, and sweet grapes arranged to resemble Santa hats perfect for holiday gatherings.
This platter quickly became the star of our holiday parties and is always requested by friends and family.
Ingredients
- Fruit: 16 large fresh strawberries, hulled and 16 red grapes (seedless)
- Cheese: 180 g (6 oz) mozzarella cheese, cut into 16 cubes (about 2 cm each)
- Garnish: 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened (for pom-poms)
- Serving: Fresh mint leaves (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Wash and thoroughly dry the strawberries and grapes.
- Step 2:
- Slice the stem end off each strawberry to create a flat base.
- Step 3:
- Thread one mozzarella cube onto a small skewer or toothpick.
- Step 4:
- Add a strawberry, flat side down, on top of the cheese cube.
- Step 5:
- Place a grape on top of the strawberry to form the pom-pom of the Santa hat.
- Step 6:
- For extra flair, pipe a small dot of cream cheese on top of each grape to resemble the hats pom-pom.
- Step 7:
- Arrange the finished Santa hats on a serving platter and garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Save Making this platter brings back warm family memories and always adds joy to our celebrations.
Tips for Variation
Use sharp white cheddar instead of mozzarella for a tangy twist or substitute grapes with blueberries for a different look.
Serving Suggestions
Pair with sparkling wine or a festive punch to elevate your party experience.
Storage
Cover and refrigerate leftovers to keep the ingredients fresh for up to 24 hours.
Save This Santa Hat Fruit and Cheese Platter is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser perfect for spreading holiday cheer.
Recipe FAQ
- → What ingredients are essential for the platter?
Fresh strawberries, seedless red grapes, and mozzarella cheese cubes form the base, complemented by cream cheese for decoration.
- → How do you create the Santa hat appearance?
Stack a mozzarella cube, strawberry (flat side down), and grape, then top with a cream cheese dot as the pom-pom.
- → Can this platter accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes, using plant-based cheese and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives makes it suitable for vegan guests.
- → Are there ingredient substitutions to try?
Sharp white cheddar cubes can replace mozzarella, and blueberries can substitute grapes for a different look.
- → How should the platter be stored before serving?
Cover and refrigerate the assembled hats until ready to serve to keep them fresh and firm.