What is the Christmas trend that has invaded and enchanted the world? Discover the gourmet Christmas tree in all its variations!

What is Christmas without a Christmas tree? It is one of the most emblematic elements of this traditional festival. The decoration of the majestic tree, the gifts stored below – it would not be possible without itself! That's why, in the spirit of the merry season, we've rounded up some of our favorite treats (Christmas desserts, themed salads, and festive appetizers), all shaped like, you guessed it, a Christmas tree. Christmas foodie! You choose !

15 gourmet tree inspirations that you absolutely must prepare (and eat) this Christmas

Christmas is coming and we can't wait. This year, the festive excitement has started much earlier than usual (who can blame us for wanting 2021 to end already?!) and as a result, creativity in the kitchen is at its peak. The trend is festive appetizers and desserts with mint. Searches for gingerbread recipes are booming (have you tried our gingerbread treats yet?) and now everyone is turning their festive dishes into Christmas trees. Whether you want to surprise your guests with a cheese platter or make a sweet treat, here are some of our favorite edible trees.

1. How to make Christmas tree muffins?

Part decoration, part dessert – and all the fun! Chocolate cupcakes are the perfect base for trees made of sweet ice cream cones and festive green icing. Sprinkle them with powdered sugar for a snowy effect, and you've got a treat that's almost too good to eat.

Making Christmas tree muffins is a lot easier than it looks. Start by baking your favorite mini cupcakes and top them with white icing or coconut flakes. For the Christmas tree, you will need green frosting, a salty stick and sprinkles. Place the salty stick on a piece of baking paper, pour the green frosting into a plastic bag and poke a hole in the corner. Next, start squeezing, moving your hands back and forth to create curvy lines, then toss some glitter over it. Leave to sit for 15-20 minutes, after, place the salty stick on a muffin like a candle.

2. Gourmet Christmas tree in puff pastry

You can make a Christmas tree with puff pastry, and stuff its branches with the stuffing of your favorite dessert, for example cranberry sauce or even chocolate Nutella. This treat only takes 15 minutes to bake. When you're done, dust it with powdered sugar and away you go.

3. Edible Fruit Christmas Tree

If you're trying to stay healthy this holiday season, you can ditch the unhealthy sweets and opt for fruit to satisfy your sugar cravings. Use strawberries to build your own tree, piercing them with toothpicks to hold them in place.

4. How to make Christmas tree lollipops with Oreo cookies?

Believe us, there really is nothing easier than making Oreo pops in the shape of Christmas trees. All you need to do is buy a packet of cookies and some food coloring to create green and white frosting. Start with the white frosting and while it's still a bit warm, dip the Oreos in it. Let them dry. Once done, place the green frosting in a plastic bag and poke a hole in the corner. Start squeezing, moving your hand back and forth to create a Christmas tree look. Your Oreo appetizers are ready!

5. Make Christmas tree brownies

You don't need a special mold or cookie cutter to make these Christmas tree brownies. Just prepare the chocolate cakes as you normally would, then cut them into triangles. We recommend using bamboo skewers to create a grid of triangles before cutting, to get as much as possible. Use a green icing of your choice and top each brownie. Also put some candy canes in it for the tree trunks.

6. How to make a Christmas tree cake?

Some people like to decorate gingerbread houses for the holidays, but we think these mini Christmas tree cakes are a fun alternative. Not only are they faster and easier to assemble, but they make a perfect, edible centerpiece for your dessert table.

Underneath all those pretty sprinkles are several layers of cake that vary in diameter. When you stack them on top of each other, they end up looking like tiny wedding cakes before you glaze them green like Christmas trees! From there, all you have to do is use your favorite pipette tip to add some details, then decorate as you wish. In addition, you can be very creative and it is the ideal project to carry out with the children!

7. Gourmet vegetable tree

First method

We love this super simple vegetable tree. Okay, it's just broccoli florets and cherry tomatoes, but it's gorgeous. The colors pop perfectly, and it couldn't be more festive. Cut a star out of your favorite citrus fruit to crown the tree. Use pretzel sticks to make the trunk. Serve with your favorite dip for a festive appetizer everyone will remember.

Second method

Directions

1. Using a sharp knife, remove the florets from the broccoli (reserve the thick “trunk”, which will be used later). Cut these florets in half.

2. Blanch the florets and plunge them into ice water to keep their bright color.

3. Take a long bamboo skewer and thread the florets on it. Start with the bigger ones and leave the smaller ones for the end. Once you're done, you can rotate the finials into position for an evenly covered tree. Be sure to leave space at the top and bottom of the skewer.

4. Take the "trunk" you have reserved, prune it so that you have a stable/flat base. Use it as a stand for your tree.

5. Cut a large slice of yellow pepper and cut out a star for the top of the tree. Insert toothpicks into the cherry tomatoes. Decorate the gourmet tree, the star at the top, the tomatoes inserted among the broccoli branches.

6. Cut cubes of cheddar to make Christmas presents.

7. Serve with a dip like Tzatzki for example.

8. Edible Christmas tree to make donuts

Ingredients

Directions

1. Starting at the top, place a donut on the tip of the cone with a toothpick for the star. Continue placing donuts on the cone until it is covered.

2. Fill the empty spaces with raspberries pricked with toothpicks. Install lights around the tree and please your guests!

9. Christmas tree made from a sugar cone

Using beautiful Christmas trees made from sugar cones is an elegant way to decorate your dessert table for the holidays. Easy and fun to make, it's the perfect "craft" for kids and adults.

There are indeed only a few ingredients. Use store-bought icing or homemade buttercream. Both offer superb results.

There are many options for decoration. You can use licorice as a garland and mini M&M's as colored lights. You can also find fancy sprinkles that look like tiny candy canes, snowflakes, and gingerbread men. Coconut and powdered sugar also make great snow for a frosty tree.

10. Cheese platter

These cheese platters couldn't be easier to make. Use cheese cubes of different colors and red and green grapes to create a multi-tiered Christmas tree. Use a stalk of celery for the tree stump, and a rolled cream cheese ball for the top. You can also add sprigs of rosemary and thyme for a realistic pine needle effect. These fresh herbs will make the whole thing smell incredibly delicious.

11. Peanut Butter Bites Gourmet Tree

This festive project is a great way to reuse peanut butter bites of all sizes. And the best part of this dessert? You don't even have to turn on your oven.

You just need a little melted chocolate to make the different parts of your little gourmet tree stick together. You can also use white chocolate and color it green or red.

12. Pizza Christmas Tree

Who said pizza can't be Christmas? This festive take-out version is a tasty way to celebrate the holidays. Make a base of pesto sauce, and garnish with “decorations” of your choice – red onion slices arranged as a garland, diced red peppers, cherry tomatoes as decorative balls, etc. Don't forget to sprinkle with mozzarella!

13. Festive Christmas tree salad

Are you looking for a salad to eat with a cocktail? You found it with caprese salad skewers arranged to form a tree. To prepare them, all you have to do is fill three sizes of wooden skewers with cooked tortellini, basil leaves, cherry tomatoes and mozzarella. Stack them and drizzle them with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

14. Building a festive tree using gingerbread cookies

Gingerbread houses are outdated! Change the game with these beautiful cookie trees. Stack star-shaped gingerbread cookies of different sizes to create a tree held together by homemade icing. Sprinkle with powdered sugar for a stunning snow effect.

15. Make a Gourmet Tree with Chocolate Covered Strawberries

These chocolate covered strawberries are the cutest treats we've ever seen. Add green food coloring to melted white chocolate and use chocolate sandwich cookies as the base for the dipped berries. We love the white glitter and little stars on top!