This Fruit Christmas Tree is a healthy holiday dessert that makes a festive centerpiece and is delicious, too!
If you’re looking for a healthy option to serve at the upcoming Christmas festivities, or for a pretty, festive centerpiece, OR both in one, then look no further than this adorable Fruit Christmas Tree!!
I mean, how much cuter can a centerpiece get? And you can customize the fruit to your liking, and even make a family bonding experience out of it with the kids! Like making a gingerbread house, only healthier!! The number of fruits you choose will determine how much of each you need – the more variety, the less you need of each. Ya feel me? I chose to use grapes, blackberries, strawberries, cantaloupe, and kiwi. And some parsley for garnish. But you can add other fruit, like a slice of pineapple and pear, if you like. It’s really like a fruit platter in a pretty Christmas tree shape.
What do you put on a fruit platter?
The great thing about fruit platters is that you can literally put whatever fruit you want on them. Whatever fruit you like. But you want to make it colorful and have a good variety available for others as well.
You can also customize your fruit Christmas tree, but adding a fruit star at the top. Cut a thick slice of kiwi or pear and use a star shaped cookie cutter to make a star for the top of the tree.
How do you make a strawberry Christmas Tree?
If you wanted to make a strawberry-only Christmas Tree, you would just buy 2-3 pints of strawberries and put those close together on toothpicks all around your cone shaped foam tree.
Also, a little tip…no matter how tempting it will be to first stick the fruit on the toothpick and then stick it into the Styrofoam, don’t do it. It’s not a great idea. That’s a surefire way to stab yourself in the finger when the toothpick shoots out the other side of the fruit your holding. It hurts. Take my word for it.
What is a fruit salad tree?
A fruit salad tree is just what you see here. A variety of fruits, attached to a base to make a fruit Christmas tree! Perhaps the parsley garnish makes it look more salad-like?
This is also why it takes a little time positioning the toothpicks, sticking fruit on, and then realizing you need to re-position it and having to pull it all off/out and do it again. Of course, you could always use more parsley throughout the tree to fill in any gaps. I wish I’d have thought about that while I was making my tree.
How to make a Fruit Christmas Tree:
{Print recipe below}
– Starting at the bottom (or top, if you prefer), place toothpicks into the tree, and place fruit on them. Alternate the fruit so you have a good variety and not one kind all bunched together. Place them as close as you can to avoid seeing through to the cone. Or alternately, you can place cilantro or parsley in-between to fill any gaps.
– Work your way around the tree until the cone is covered and your beautiful fruit tree masterpiece is complete. Place your garnish on the bottom of your desired serving dish or plate, and top with the fruit tree. Place as a centerpiece or snack table decoration, and watch it be devoured!
I started at the bottom and worked up my up and around, but I’m sure you could start at the top and work down just as well. Whatever you decided to do, just allow yourself the time to work on it, so you don’t get in a rush and wind up frustrated.
It’s definitely worth the time and effort it takes, because the end result is not only beautiful, but delicious and a great healthy option for the holidays!
If you like this, you might also like my Hawaiian Fruit Salad!
Click here for even more Christmas recipes! And follow me on Pinterest for more amazing recipes any of time of year!
Fruit Christmas Tree
Ingredients
- 1 pint strawberries
- 1 bunch green grapes
- 6 oz blackberries
- 2 cups cantaloupe melon balls
- 3 kiwi
- cilantro of parsley for the base garnish,and throughout if you like
Additional supplies you will need:
- 1 Styrofoam cone they make various sizes, so choose depending on your desired size – I used a smaller one, about 8″ tall
- Toothpicks have plenty on hand
Instructions
- Starting at the bottom (or top, if you prefer), place toothpicks into the tree, and place fruit on them. Alternate the fruit so you have a good variety and not one kind all bunched together. Place them as close as you can to avoid seeing through to the cone. Or alternately, you can place cilantro or parsley in-between to fill any gaps.
- Work your way around the tree until the cone is covered and your beautiful fruit tree masterpiece is complete. Place your garnish on the bottom of your desired serving dish or plate, and top with the fruit tree. Place as a centerpiece or snack table decoration, and watch it be devoured!
Thanks, Sammie!! My fingers are good now 😉
We always have loads of fruit over Christmas but this is a great way to present fruit for a buffet. Thank you for all the hints and tips. I hope your fingers are recovering from being stabbed? Sammie.