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What an easy way to put together the usual taco flavors but designed into a chilled Christmas tree appetizer. Assemble a cream cheese and taco seasoning base and layer on the faves: cut cherry tomatoes, shredded cheese, black olives, shredded lettuce and a cute cheese star. Guests can use crackers or tortilla chips to dip into this once everyone has taken their holiday food photos.
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How to Make a Christmas Tree Taco Dip
This Christmas tree dip recipes uses both cream cheese and sour cream. For the freshest taste, shred the cheese and chop the lettuce same day. Set out the cream cheese so it’s soft.
Step 1: Gather the sour cream, softened cream cheese, taco seasoning, chopped lettuce, shredded cheddar, cherry tomatoes, black olive slices (you can green olives also or instead of) and a small piece of orange cheese for the star.
Step 2: Slice the cherry tomatoes in half and chop the lettuce finely.
Step 3: Add the soft cream cheese and sour cream to a large bowl, then add the taco seasoning.
Step 4: Mix with an electric mixer until the cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning are smooth and combined.
Step 5: With a small spoon or a bowl scraper: Spread the mixture onto a large platter in a Christmas tree shape with a trunk at the bottom. It doesn’t have to be perfect since it will be decorated and you can always clean up the edges later. If it’s not turning out how you want, spoon it back into the bowl, wash and dry the platter and start over; make a single large triangle with a square at the bottom for the trunk. (No stress, see? We’re doing this the easy way.)
Step 6: Arrange the chopped lettuce over the tree, leaving the trunk exposed.
Step 7: Sprinkle the shredded cheddar over the lettuce, again leaving the trunk exposed.
Step 8: Arrange the tomato halves cut side down as ornaments, then add the olive slices between them.
Step 9: Cut a star from the orange cheese with a star cookie cutter and place it on top of the tree. Serve with tortilla chips, crackers or pretzels.
Tools & Equipment
- Measuring cups
- Large bowl
- Electric mixer
- Silicone spatula or bowl scraper
- Cutting board and knife
- Spoon
- Large platter
- Small star cookie cutter (about 3/4 inch)
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Christmas Tree Taco Dip
Equipment
Ingredients
- 16 oz sour cream
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 oz taco seasoning 1 packet
- 1 cup lettuce chopped
- 1 cup cheddar cheese shredded
- 1/2 pint cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 cup black olive slices
- 1 inch piece of orange cheese like cheddar, for the star
- tortilla chips for serving
Instructions
- Set out the cream cheese to soften to room temp. Set aside.
- Slice the tomatoes in half and finely chop the lettuce. Set aside.
- Mix the softened cream cheese, sour cream and taco seasoning together in a large bowl.
- On a large platter, use a spoon to dollop and spread the sour cream mixture to make a Christmas tree shape. (See tips above for help starting over if the shape isn't how you like it the first time.)
- Leaving the trunk exposed, add the chopped lettuce all over the tree shape, then do the same with the shredded cheese. Carefully clean up stray pieces of lettuces and cheese.
- Arrange the tomatoes flat (cut) side down and the olive slices to look like ornaments.
- Use the star cookie cutter to cut out a star from the orange cheese and place it on top of the tree. You can also use a paring knife to fashion one yourself without the cutter.
- Serve chilled with tortilla chips, crackers or pretzels.
Notes
- See Tips for Success above for more notes.
Nutrition
The bottom line
If you want to put something just a little festive on the table without any special ingredients or big effort, this is a savory easy taco dip that just works.
Want more fun Christmas part food ideas and appetizers? Check these out:
- Grinch Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Buttercream Christmas Tree Board
- 3-D Gingerbread Trees
- Christmas Tree Brownies
- Christmas Pretzel Rods
