CHRISTMAS CHEESE TREE

You really could decorate this any way you want. I used pine nuts for lights, chopped yellow and red bell pepper for ornaments, and cheese for a star. You want to use a sturdier cracker like a Triscuit for dipping unless you have a spreader on the serving plate then you can use a Ritz or any other cracker. Enjoy!

Ingredients

• 3 packages (8 ounces each) cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese (16 ounces)
• 2 tablespoons grated onion
• 1/2 teaspoon ground mustard (dry)
• 5 or 6 drops red pepper sauce
• Have ready at serving time:
• 1 cup finely chopped parsley
• 1/2 cup pine nuts
• 1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper (or yellow too)
• Assorted crackers for serving
• (optional) slice cheddar cheese or lemon peel for star

Instructions

1. Mix cream cheese, cheddar cheese, onion, mustard and pepper sauce until well combined. If making two trees divide in half or if making one just leave whole. Refrigerate until firm enough to shape.
2. Place cheese mixtures on cookie sheet. Shape each half into cone shape to look like Christmas tree or one big tree if that's what you choose. Roll trees in parsley, pressing parsley evenly onto trees. Press pine nuts onto trees in string form for garland. Press bell pepper pieces onto trees for ornaments. Top each tree with star shape cut from a slice of cheddar cheese or a lemon peel. Serve with crackers.

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