Fruit Christmas Tree

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Have you ever wondered how to make a fruit Christmas tree? You know what I’m talking about – those adorable, edible, colorful trees that look like they took for-ev-er to make, but secretly you want to create one for your next party? I can show you how in no time! 

It seems like a Christmas Fruit Tree would be difficult to make, but it’s actually pretty simple to assemble and makes for a great party treat!

Like my flavorful Christmas fruit salad, this cute Christmas dessert or Christmas appetizer is the perfect recipe for anyone looking to add a healthy, eye-catching, and delicious twist to their holiday celebrations. Kids of all ages enjoy a colorful Christmas tree, especially when it’s edible!

If you love these Christmas fruit ideas, you’ll also love my Easter Fruit Tray and this delicious Red White and Blue Fruit Salad.

The goodness of this Christmas fruit idea lies in its ability to transform fresh fruits into a festive masterpiece that’s both visually appealing and healthy.

It’s a practical addition to any holiday gathering, ensuring that guests can savor the flavors of the season while enjoying the visual splendor of a Christmas fruit tree or platter.

Whether for a small family gathering or a large festive party, this fun Christmas tree fruit recipe adds a touch of holiday magic to the table.

Why Make This Christmas Fruit Tree Recipe

• Healthy Indulgence – Amidst the usual fare of rich, calorie-laden holiday dishes, the fresh fruit Christmas Tree offers a refreshing and healthy option.
• Family Friendly Activity – Crafting a Christmas Fruit platter into a tree is a fantastic way to involve kids and loved ones in the holiday preparations.
• Creative & Unique – This recipe takes the idea of fruit for dessert up a notch and creates a new holiday tradition! 

Ingredient Notes

• Pineapple – Pineapples provide a sweet and tropical flavor to the tree. They serve as the base and trunk of the tree. You can use other large, sturdy fruits like cantaloupe or honeydew melon.
• Watermelon – Watermelon adds a refreshing and juicy element to the fruit tree, forming the tree’s “top” as well as providing cubes for the “branches.” 
• Kiwi – Kiwi provides a tangy taste and vibrant green color, resembling leaves on the Christmas fruit tree. Green grapes or slices of green apple can work as alternatives for a similar look and taste.
• Mandarin – Mandarin segments add a bright, citrusy touch to the tree, resembling ornaments. Other small citrus fruits like clementines or tangerines can be used.
• Strawberries – Strawberries are sweet and red, and make excellent edible ornaments for the tree. Raspberries or pomegranate seeds can provide a similar red color and juicy burst.
• Blackberries – Blackberries bring a deep purple hue to the tree, adding contrast and flavor. Blueberries or black grapes can replace blackberries with a similar color and taste.
• Raspberries – Raspberries are vibrant red and can be used as additional edible ornaments. Cranberries or pomegranate seeds can serve as alternatives for a similar pop of color.
• Rosemary sprigs – Rosemary sprigs mimic the appearance of evergreen tree branches and add a lovely fragrance. If you prefer a milder herb, use thyme or parsley sprigs for a similar visual effect.

How To Make a Fruit Christmas Tree

Get complete ingredients list and instructions from the recipe card further below.

1. Use a sharp knife to cut off the tops and bottoms of each pineapple and peel. Cut off one slice of pineapple and use a knife or cookie cutter to make the pineapple star for the top of the tree. Set the star aside. 
2. Cut a piece of watermelon into a triangle to create the top of the tree. Then cut the remaining watermelon into large cubes for the tree arrangement.
3. Assemble the tree by placing one pineapple on top of each other and fixing it with a skewer in the middle to hold it in place. 
4. Add the watermelon on top of the pineapple stack.
5. Add toothpicks around the pineapples and the watermelon. Cut the head of the strawberries and start arranging around them. Add Kiwi, then Mandarin.
6. Keep building with the berries. Add more toothpicks if needed. Be careful with the small berries as they will break easily. Place them gently on the tree.
7. Transfer the fresh fruit tree onto a plate. Arrange rosemary around it.

Important note: keep your edible fruit Christmas tree in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

How To Make a Christmas Tree Fruit Platter Instead

If you need an alternative to a standing Christmas fruit tree, it’s simple to pivot to a Christmas fruit tray! You can use the same fruits as originally suggested, but with a few modifications – make sure the pineapple pieces are bite-sized instead of whole, and make sure you have green grapes or plenty of kiwi. 

Arrange the green fruits as a base in the shape of a tree. For a secure shape, connect the pieces with toothpicks. After filling in the green base, come back on top with the other colors of fruit to make the “ornaments.” Fill in gaps in the tree with green fruit for full “branches” and other colorful fruit for “ornaments” until you achieve the desired look. 

Have fun creating this cute Christmas dessert for your Christmas party!

Pro Tips

• Choose a variety of fresh fruits in different colors and sizes. Aim for a balance between sweet, tart, and refreshing flavors.
• Opt for the freshest fruits available to ensure the best taste and texture. Seasonal fruits often have more vibrant colors and flavors.
• If using fruits like apples or pears that can brown when exposed to air, lightly brush them with lemon juice to maintain their freshness and color.
• Take your time when slicing and preparing the fruits. Uniformity in size and shape makes for a more visually appealing tree.
• Ensure the base fruits (e.g., pineapples or watermelon) are stable and secure on the platter to support the weight of the tree.
• Start with the larger fruits at the bottom and work your way up with smaller fruits. This layering creates the classic Christmas tree shape.
• If using toothpicks or skewers to secure the Christmas tree fruit, hide them beneath the fruit to maintain a clean and polished appearance.

Delicious Variations 

• Vegetable Christmas Tree  – Use broccoli, Brussels sprouts, all colors of bell pepper, and cherry tomatoes to craft this cute Christmas dessert. 
• Tone-on-tone tree – Use only shades of green, only shades of red, or only shades of blues and purples for a tone-on-tone Christmas fruit tree. 
• Spiral tree – Instead of straight up, make your branches twist up the base of the tree like a candy cane. 

Prep And Storage

• Prep Ahead – Ideally, assemble the fun and festive Fruit Christmas Tree on the day you plan to serve it. This ensures the fruits stay fresh and vibrant. If you must prep ahead, for fruits prone to browning (e.g., apples, pears), lightly coat them in a mixture of water and lemon juice to prevent oxidation. Pat them dry before assembly. 
• Store – Place plastic wrap loosely and directly on top of the exposed fruit surfaces to minimize air exposure and maintain freshness. Allow the assembled tree to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving to enhance the flavors.
  • If you must store it briefly, place it in the refrigerator for no more than 2-3 hours. Keep it uncovered or loosely covered to prevent condensation, which can affect the fruit’s texture.
• Freeze – It’s not recommended that you freeze the fruit Christmas tree as it can change the texture of the fruit. 

FAQs 

Similar Recipes

Looking for more EASY, delicious, and flavorful recipes? I’ve got you covered. Check out my full collection of Christmas Recipes, or start a few of my most popular recipes:

• Christmas Fruit Salad.
• Christmas Tree Cupcakes.
• Crockpot Christmas Candy.
• Grinch Popcorn.
• Melted Snowman Cookies.
• Grinch Kabobs.

Serve With:

• Flavorful Christmas Chicken for a delicious holiday meal.
• Spiced Mulled Wine is a perfect seasonal accompaniment.
• A holiday celebration isn’t complete without these Christmas Shortbread Cookies.

And for even more holiday entertaining recipes, check out these festive Christmas Appetizers.

Recommended Tools

• A sharp knife is a must for cutting the fruit.
• These skewers help to keep the tree assembled and stable.
• For the best tools to help make your recipe even easier and more successful, check out my collection of the Best Kitchen Tools on Amazon.

Weight Watchers Points

There are 0 Blue Plan SmartPoints in one serving of this.

Thank you for reading my Christmas fruit ideas recipe post. And please come visit again as I continue to slice, dice and dream up affordable Air Fryer recipes, Instant Pot recipes, Southern Recipes, and more. Thanks for supporting Recipes from a Pantry, food blog.

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