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Cheese Cube Holiday Appetizer Wreath
Craft a festive cheese cube appetizer wreath with herbs, tomatoes and olives for an easy, crowd-pleasing holiday party centerpiece.
The Holiday Appetizer Wreath with Cheese Cubes is a festive hors d’oeuvre platter that arranges bite-sized cubes of assorted cheeses—commonly cheddar, Colby Jack, pepper jack, or mozzarella—into a circular, wreath-shaped formation. The cheese is interspersed with complementary items such as grape tomatoes, olives, rosemary or thyme sprigs, and optional additions like cranberries or cured meats to create contrasting colors and textures while evoking the look of evergreen foliage. Served chilled or at room temperature, this no-cook appetizer functions as an edible centerpiece, making it especially popular for Christmas gatherings, winter potlucks, and other holiday entertaining occasions where guests graze before the main course.
Cheese Cube Holiday Appetizer Wreath
Think of this wreath as the ultimate low-stress party trick: all the prep can be knocked out in advance, then you simply assemble right before guests arrive. The layout is endlessly customizable—swap in dairy-free cheeses, add nuts for crunch, or tailor the color scheme to whatever holiday you’re celebrating.
Prep Time
25 minutes
25 minutes
Cook Time
0 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time
55 minutes
55 minutes
Ingredients
Sharp cheddar cheese, cubed – about 8 oz (≈2 cups)
- Colby Jack cheese, cubed – about 8 oz (≈2 cups)
- Pepper Jack cheese, cubed – about 8 oz (≈2 cups)
- Cherry tomatoes, whole – about 1 cup (≈20)
- Pitted green olives – about 1 cup (≈20)
- Pitted kalamata or black olives – about 1 cup (≈20)
- Fresh rosemary sprigs – 12 to 15 sprigs (for the wreath “evergreen”)
- Fresh thyme sprigs – 6 to 8 sprigs (optional herbal accent)
- Salami slices, halved and folded – about 4 oz (≈16 pieces, optional charcuterie add-on)
- Fresh cranberries – ½ cup (festive garnish, optional)
- Toothpicks or 4-inch cocktail picks – 40 to 45 (assembly aid, non-edible)
Method
Gather a large round serving platter for the wreath base
- Rinse fresh rosemary sprigs under cool water
- Pat the rosemary completely dry with paper towels
- Trim woody ends from the rosemary sprigs
- Cut cheddar cheese into three-quarter-inch cubes
- Cut pepper jack cheese into three-quarter-inch cubes
- Cut Colby cheese into three-quarter-inch cubes
- Drain olives through a fine-mesh sieve
- Pat the drained olives dry with paper towels
- Drain jarred cherry peppers and pickled vegetables
- Pat the drained peppers and vegetables dry with paper towels
- Slide one cheese cube onto a four-inch cocktail skewer
- Add one olive or pickled vegetable onto the same skewer
- Repeat skewering until all cheese cubes are paired with a garnish
- Lay rosemary sprigs in a continuous circle around the edge of the platter
- Position the prepared skewers into the rosemary circle with tips pointing inward
- Fill open spaces between skewers with extra olives or grape tomatoes
- Scatter fresh cranberries among the rosemary for color
- Place a small ramekin of dipping sauce in the center of the platter
- Cover the platter loosely with plastic wrap
- Refrigerate the wreath for at least thirty minutes
- Remove the plastic wrap just before serving
- Lightly mist the rosemary with water to refresh its color
- Present the cheese cube holiday appetizer wreath chilled or at cool room temperature
Nutrition (whole recipe)
Calories
3390 kcal Protein
199 g Fat
276 g Carbs
40 g Fiber
12 g Sugar
10 g
3390 kcal Protein
199 g Fat
276 g Carbs
40 g Fiber
12 g Sugar
10 g
Notes
Toss the cheese cubes in a tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, orange zest, and cracked pepper a few hours ahead—this keeps the edges from drying out and adds a subtle holiday perfume. Thread each cube onto 3-inch cocktail picks before arranging so guests can grab a portion without dismantling the wreath.
why this recipe
Celebrating the season becomes effortless with this cheese cube appetizer wreath, a festive centerpiece that pairs visual charm with irresistible flavor. The vibrant ring of herbed cheese cubes, fresh rosemary, and jewel–toned cranberries instantly dresses up any table, while its thoughtful construction lets guests pluck perfect, bite-sized pieces without dismantling the display. Simple, make-ahead prep means you spend less time in the kitchen and more time enjoying company, yet the mix of creamy cheeses, aromatic herbs, and pops of sweet-tart fruit tastes as if you fussed for hours. It’s a crowd-pleasing showstopper that proves elegance and ease can happily coexist.
FAQs
FAQ acf
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I assemble the cheese cube wreath a day in advance, and how should I store it so the cheese doesn’t dry out?
Yes—assemble the entire wreath (or at least thread the cheese-olive picks) up to 24 hours ahead. Arrange everything on the platter, then wrap it snugly in two layers of plastic wrap or an airtight cake dome and refrigerate; the light coating of olive oil on the cheese plus the airtight seal will keep the cubes moist. Remove the wrap 20–30 minutes before guests arrive so the cheeses can lose their chill and the herbs stay fresh.
How long can the cheese cube wreath safely sit out at room temperature during a party?
Because the wreath contains perishable dairy, it should sit out no longer than 2 hours at normal room temperature (below 90 °F/32 °C). If the party space is warmer—outdoors or near a fireplace—limit exposure to 1 hour, then return the wreath to the fridge or replace it with a freshly chilled platter.
How many guests will one cheese cube wreath typically serve?
With roughly 24 oz of cheese cut into about 60 bite-size cubes, the wreath yields 40–50 cocktail picks once olives, tomatoes, and other garnishes are added. Figuring 4–5 nibbles per person for a typical pre-dinner appetizer spread, one wreath comfortably serves 10–12 guests (up to 15 if other snacks are also available).