Crowd-Pleasing Christmas Tree Caprese Skewers
These festive Christmas Tree Caprese Skewers are a quick and easy appetizer made with fresh mozzarella, cherry tomatoes, basil, and balsamic glaze. Arranged in a tree shape, they’re perfect for holiday parties and always the first thing to disappear.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 24 skewers (serves 6-8 as an appetizer) 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine), about 24 small balls
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes, about 24 tomatoes
- 24 large fresh basil leaves
- 1/4 cup balsamic glaze
- 24 wooden toothpicks or short skewers
- 3–4 fresh rosemary sprigs
- Optional: pomegranate seeds, fresh cranberries, or edible glitter for garnish
Instructions
- Drain the mozzarella balls and pat them dry with paper towels. Place in a bowl and set aside.
- Wash and dry the cherry tomatoes. Remove any stems or leaves. If using larger tomatoes, cut them in half.
- Pick the largest basil leaves, gently wash them, and pat them dry thoroughly.
- Assemble the skewers: Thread a cherry tomato onto a toothpick, pushing it about halfway down. Fold a basil leaf in half (or use two small leaves) and thread it on next. Finally, add a mozzarella ball, pushing it to the end so everything is snug but not squished. Repeat for all 24 skewers.
- Arrange the tree shape: Place rosemary sprigs at the bottom center of a large serving board or platter, pointing upward like a tree trunk. Arrange the skewers in a triangle shape above the trunk, starting with 5-6 skewers at the bottom row, then 4-5, 3-4, 2-3, and finally 1 at the top.
- Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the top in a zigzag pattern. Sprinkle on optional garnishes like pomegranate seeds or fresh cranberries around the base.
- Serve immediately or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Let sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
Notes
Pat mozzarella dry to prevent sogginess. Use room-temperature tomatoes for best flavor. Don’t overdrizzle balsamic glaze—a light drizzle is enough. For dairy-free, swap mozzarella for marinated tofu cubes. For make-ahead, assemble skewers up to 24 hours in advance but add glaze just before serving. Let leftovers come to room temperature before serving; do not microwave.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 skewer
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 1
- Sodium: 85
- Fat: 3
- Saturated Fat: 2
- Carbohydrates: 2
- Protein: 3
Keywords: Christmas tree caprese skewers, holiday appetizer, caprese skewers, easy appetizer, no-cook appetizer, festive appetizer, mozzarella tomato basil skewers