If you’re looking to add a burst of festive cheer to your holiday gatherings, the Christmas Tree Frosting Board Recipe is an absolute must-try. This delightful and visually stunning spread is not only bursting with creamy, sweet flavors but also doubles as a party centerpiece that will have everyone reaching for their crackers and cookies. It’s simple to make, playful to create, and, most importantly, irresistibly delicious—making your Christmas celebration that much sweeter and merrier.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of the Christmas Tree Frosting Board Recipe lies in its simplicity. Each ingredient brings a unique charm—whether it’s the rich creaminess of the butter and cream cheese, the sweetness of the powdered sugar, or the festive pop of color from the green gel food coloring and M&M candies. Together, they create a frosting board that’s as delicious as it is eye-catching.
- Softened butter (2.8 ounces / 80g): Adds smooth richness and helps create that creamy base for the frosting.
- Powdered sugar (2.8 ounces / 80g): Sweetens and thickens the frosting perfectly for piping.
- Cream cheese (5.6 ounces / 160g): Gives tangy depth and a velvety texture that’s simply irresistible.
- Green gel food coloring: Turns the frosting a vibrant Christmas tree green without watering it down.
- Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds warmth and a lovely subtle flavor to complement the sweetness.
- M&M candy: Perfect for decorating as festive ornaments on your frosting tree.
- Butter toffee: Used as the sturdy and sweet tree trunk.
- Cookies and crackers: Essential dippers that balance the frosting’s creamy sweetness with crunch and texture.
How to Make Christmas Tree Frosting Board Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Base
Start by beating the softened butter and powdered sugar together in a bowl until the mixture becomes light, fluffy, and creamy. This step ensures the frosting has a smooth, airy texture, which is the perfect foundation for the rest of the ingredients.
Step 2: Add Cream Cheese for Depth
Next, fold in the cream cheese and beat until you achieve stiff peaks. This will give your frosting board that luscious richness and help it hold its shape beautifully when piped.
Step 3: Flavor and Color
Mix in the vanilla extract to add a sweet, fragrant note and then stir in the green gel food coloring. The gel works like magic, coloring the frosting vividly without altering the texture — now your frosting looks just like a Christmas tree!
Step 4: Pipe Your Christmas Tree
Transfer the frosting to a piping bag fitted with a wide nozzle. On a large, flat plate, pipe the frosting carefully into the shape of a Christmas tree. This is your time to shine and get creative with your piping technique to mimic tree branches and layers.
Step 5: Decorate and Finish
Decorate your tree with colorful M&M candies to look like ornaments and stick a piece of butter toffee at the bottom to form a sweet, crunchy tree trunk. Your Christmas Tree Frosting Board Recipe is now ready for the grand debut at your holiday table!
How to Serve Christmas Tree Frosting Board Recipe
Garnishes
Adding the right garnishes can elevate your Christmas Tree Frosting Board Recipe from simple to spectacular. The M&M candies double as decorative ornaments, providing pops of color and delightful crunch. You can also sprinkle some edible glitter or festive sprinkles for extra sparkle.
Side Dishes
Pair this frosting board with an array of cookies and crackers for dipping. Choose sturdy crackers like water crackers or buttery shortbread cookies—they balance the creamy frosting perfectly and add a lovely textural contrast that keeps everyone coming back for more.
Creative Ways to Present
For a show-stopping presentation, place your frosting tree on a wooden serving board or a bright holiday-themed platter. Surround it with additional edible decorations like sliced fruits, nuts, or even candy canes. This turns your Christmas Tree Frosting Board Recipe into a festive spread that’s as fun to look at as it is to eat.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover frosting board, cover it tightly with plastic wrap or place it in an airtight container and refrigerate. This will keep the frosting fresh and maintain its texture for up to three days.
Freezing
While freezing isn’t recommended for the fully assembled board because the texture may change, you can freeze the frosting itself before piping. Freeze it in an airtight container for up to a month, then thaw it in the refrigerator and give it a quick beat before you pipe your tree.
Reheating
Since this is a no-bake frosting board, reheating is not necessary. Simply take it out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving to bring it to a perfect spreading temperature and enhance the flavors.
FAQs
Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?
You can, but regular food coloring may thin out the frosting, affecting its texture and making it less sturdy for piping your Christmas tree shape. Gel coloring is concentrated and ideal for keeping the frosting thick and vibrant.
What if I’m allergic to dairy? Is there a substitute?
For a dairy-free version, use vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives. The texture might vary slightly, but you can still achieve a tasty frosting board perfect for decorating.
Can I prepare this recipe ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the frosting a day ahead and refrigerate it. Just give it a good stir before piping your Christmas tree to refresh the texture.
What cookies or crackers pair best with this frosting board?
Sturdy, mildly flavored cookies and crackers work best. Think classic sugar cookies, buttery shortbreads, or plain water crackers—these let the frosting shine without overpowering the taste.
How can I make my frosting tree more stable?
Make sure your ingredients are well chilled and the frosting is stiff enough to hold its shape. Using a piping bag with a wide opening also helps maintain good control over the design, creating a stable and beautiful Christmas tree.
Final Thoughts
There is something truly joyful about creating and sharing the Christmas Tree Frosting Board Recipe with loved ones. Whether you make it as a centerpiece for your holiday spread or a sweet treat to enjoy with friends by the fire, this easy, fun, and festive frosting board never fails to brighten the room and bring smiles to everyone’s faces. Give it a try and watch as your Christmas celebration gets a deliciously delightful upgrade!
Print
Christmas Tree Frosting Board Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Tree Frosting Board is a fun and visually appealing holiday treat. Creamy cream cheese frosting is colored green, piped into a Christmas tree shape, and decorated with M&M candies and butter toffee for the trunk. Served alongside cookies and crackers, it makes a perfect party centerpiece or holiday snack.
Ingredients
Frosting
- 2.8 ounces (80g) softened butter
- 2.8 ounces (80g) powdered sugar
- 5.6 ounces (160g) cream cheese
- Green gel food coloring (to desired shade)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorations
- M&M candy (for decorating)
- Butter toffee (for the tree trunk)
Dippers
- Cookies and crackers (for dipping)
Instructions
- Prepare the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and powdered sugar until the mixture becomes creamy and smooth. Then add the cream cheese and continue beating until stiff peaks form, indicating a thick and firm frosting.
- Add flavor and color: Mix in the vanilla extract for flavor and green gel food coloring until you achieve your desired festive green shade.
- Pipe the Christmas tree: Transfer the frosting into a piping bag. On a wide, flat plate, pipe the frosting in the shape of a Christmas tree, starting from the base and working upwards to form the classic triangular tree shape.
- Decorate the tree: Adorn the frosting tree with M&M candies to resemble ornaments. Use pieces of butter toffee to create the tree trunk at the base of the tree.
- Serve: Present the frosting Christmas tree board with an assortment of cookies and crackers on the side for dipping into the creamy frosting.
Notes
- You can adjust the amount of green gel food coloring to get the perfect shade of green.
- For a firmer tree shape, chill the frosting slightly before piping.
- Butter toffee pieces can be replaced with pretzel sticks for a different texture.
- Use a variety of cookies and crackers to add different flavors and crunch.
- Store any leftover frosting in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
