Christmas Caprese Wreath
Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella pearls, and basil make bite-size Caprese skewers that guests can lift straight from the platter. Arrange them around a small bowl of balsamic glaze, with the wooden handles pointing outward, to form a wreath. Yellow-orange tomatoes and thin cucumber ribbons add color and crunch.
Keeping the balsamic in the center bowl lets guests dip each skewer without coating the fresh ingredients or leaving dressing pooled on the platter. This no-cook appetizer makes about 24 skewers and takes roughly 30 minutes to assemble.
Ingredients for Christmas Caprese Wreath
- 1 pint red cherry tomatoes (300g)
- 1 pint yellow or orange cherry tomatoes (300g)
- 10 to 12 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls, drained (300g)
- 1 large bunch fresh basil, leaves separated (30g)
- 1 medium English cucumber (300g)
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt or flaky salt, or to taste
- 1/3 cup balsamic glaze (80g)
- Optional: A few grinds of black pepper
- Optional: 1 to 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil to loosen the glaze
You’ll also need about 24 short wooden appetizer skewers, a large round platter or board, a small ramekin, a vegetable peeler, and paper towels. If mozzarella pearls are unavailable, cut fresh mozzarella into bite-size pieces and blot them well.
How to Make a Christmas Caprese Wreath
- Dry the ingredients: Drain and pat dry the mozzarella. Wash and thoroughly dry the tomatoes and basil. Use a vegetable peeler to make thin, flexible cucumber ribbons, then blot them dry. Less surface moisture helps the ingredients stay on the picks and keeps the platter from becoming watery.
- Prepare the dip: Spoon the balsamic glaze into the ramekin. If it is too thick for dipping, stir in a little of the optional olive oil at a time. It should loosen slightly but stay in the bowl.
- Thread the skewers: Add a small basil leaf, a tomato, a mozzarella pearl, and another tomato or mozzarella pearl to each pick. Vary the tomato colors and leave a bare handle at one end. Thread loosely enough that the tomatoes do not split, and check that each skewer holds together when lifted.
- Form the wreath: Set the ramekin in the center of the platter. Arrange the skewers closely around it, with their handles pointing outward. Overlap the ingredient ends slightly to make a continuous ring while leaving the center open.
- Add the green accents: Tuck extra basil leaves and loosely curled cucumber ribbons between the skewers. Fill gaps without covering the tomatoes and mozzarella.
- Season and serve: Lightly drizzle the skewers with the tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Add black pepper if desired. Serve promptly with the balsamic dip in the center.
How to Keep the Wreath Fresh
Use whole small basil leaves or gently tear larger ones rather than chopping them finely. Add the olive oil and salt just before serving so the leaves stay fresher-looking and the tomatoes and cucumber have less time to release liquid.
To prepare ahead, wash and dry the produce and drain the mozzarella, then chill the components separately. Make the cucumber ribbons shortly before assembly and put the wreath together close to serving time. If it needs a brief chill after assembly, cover it loosely without pressing plastic wrap onto the basil or skewers.
Can You Leave Out the Balsamic?
Yes. The center bowl keeps the glaze off the wreath and lets guests decide whether to add it. For a no-balsamic version, serve olive oil in the bowl or omit the dip; the skewers will still have their light olive-oil and salt finish.
For another wreath-style appetizer, try this Christmas Antipasto Wreath.
How to Store Leftovers
Refrigerate leftovers promptly in a covered container. The wreath is best served fresh: basil may wilt, and the tomatoes and cucumber may release liquid during storage. No reheating is needed. Freezing is not recommended because it changes the texture of the fresh ingredients.
Nutrition
Approximate nutrition per serving, based on 1 of 12 servings (about 2 skewers): 110 calories, 5g protein, 7g fat, and 7g carbohydrates. Per 100g: about 100 calories, 5g protein, 6g fat, and 6g carbohydrates. Values vary with the mozzarella and balsamic glaze used.
Christmas Caprese Wreath
Equipment
- 24 short wooden appetizer skewers
- Large round platter or board
- Small ramekin
- Vegetable peeler
- Paper towels
Ingredients
For the Skewers
- 1 pint red cherry tomatoes (300 g)
- 1 pint yellow or orange cherry tomatoes (300 g)
- 10 to 12 ounces fresh mozzarella pearls, drained (300 g)
- 1 large bunch fresh basil, leaves separated (30 g)
- 1 medium English cucumber (300 g)
For Serving
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt or flaky salt, or to taste
- 1/3 cup balsamic glaze (80 g)
- A few grinds of black pepper, optional
- 1 to 2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil to loosen the glaze, optional
Instructions
- Drain and pat the mozzarella dry. Wash and thoroughly dry the tomatoes and basil.
- Use a vegetable peeler to make thin cucumber ribbons, then blot them dry.
- Spoon the balsamic glaze into the ramekin. If it is too thick for dipping, stir in a little optional olive oil at a time.
- Thread a small basil leaf, a tomato, and a mozzarella pearl onto each skewer, then add another tomato or mozzarella pearl. Vary the tomato colors and leave one end of each skewer bare for a handle.
- Set the ramekin in the center of the platter. Arrange the skewers closely around it with their handles pointing outward, overlapping the ingredient ends slightly to form a ring.
- Tuck extra basil leaves and loosely curled cucumber ribbons between the skewers.
- Drizzle the skewers lightly with the tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Add black pepper if desired, and serve promptly.
Tips
- Dry the tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and cucumber ribbons well to help keep the platter from becoming watery.
- Thread the ingredients loosely so the tomatoes do not split.
- Use whole small basil leaves or gently tear larger ones instead of finely chopping them.
- Add the olive oil and salt just before serving to help keep the leaves fresh and limit excess liquid.
Variations
- Balsamic-Free Wreath: Serve olive oil in the center bowl or omit the dip; the skewers still have an olive-oil and salt finish.
- Mozzarella Pieces: If mozzarella pearls are unavailable, cut fresh mozzarella into bite-size pieces and blot them well.