Pie Tree
A festive and savory Christmas tree-shaped appetizer featuring seasoned pie crust, decorated with whipped cream cheese, cloves, and parsley for a colorful holiday presentation.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Spread the two pie crusts out on a cookie sheet lined with aluminum foil.
- Cut each crust into the shape of a Christmas tree without cutting into the foil.
- Sprinkle Mrs. Dash spices or your preferred zingy spices over the trees and press lightly into the dough.
- Take small bits of leftover dough, roll into small balls, and place on the trees as ornaments.
- Press slightly to flatten the ornaments into the dough.
- Bake the trees at 425°F until lightly browned, then cool.
- Decorate with whipped cream cheese tinted green, and place whole cloves to resemble pine cones or branches.
- Sprinkle parsley over the decorated trees.
- Decorate the ornament balls with white or other colored whipped cream cheese.
- Add yellow cheese balls as additional decorations, if desired.
- Serve with a knife nearby for guests to cut into individual pieces.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor, consider using fresh herbs or garlic powder mixed with the spices. You can replace whipped cream cheese with regular cream cheese or Greek yogurt if you prefer a tangier taste. For a vibrant twist, try using beet juice for red coloring or turmeric for yellow. Experiment with different spice blends to suit your taste, making it a versatile treat.
Serving Suggestions
Serve these festive pie trees as a fun appetizer at holiday gatherings or as a playful centerpiece. Pair them with a light salad or some fresh vegetable sticks for a balanced offering. They also make a delightful addition to a holiday buffet, especially alongside other festive dishes like Scrumptious Pancakes or Cheesy Pumpkin Pie.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, place the pie trees in a preheated oven at 350°F for about 10 minutes until warmed through. This helps maintain their crispness while ensuring that the cream cheese decorations stay intact.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Pie Tree contains roughly 77 calories, with 7g protein, 13g carbohydrates, and 2g fat. It is an excellent source of vitamin C (35% of the Daily Value), iron (31% of the Daily Value), and dietary fiber (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of protein and potassium. It also contributes 7g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
What other decorations can I use for the pie trees?
You can get creative with decorations! Consider using dried fruits, mini marshmallows, or chocolate chips for a sweet touch. For a savory option, small cheese cubes or slices of pepperoni can also work well and add a fun twist.
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).