Christmas Tree and Holly Shaped Tea Sandwiches with Pineapple Cream Cheese and Pomegranate Decorations Recipe

If you’re looking for a festive, fun, and absolutely delicious finger food to wow your guests this season, I have just the thing: Christmas Tree and Holly Shaped Tea Sandwiches with Pineapple Cream Cheese and Pomegranate Decorations Recipe. These charming little bites aren’t just cute—they’re packed with a tangy, sweet cream cheese filling that brings a fresh twist to your holiday spread. I can’t tell you how many times my family has asked me to make these at parties, and honestly, once you try them, you’ll see why!

this Recipe

Ingredients You’ll Need

These ingredients come together beautifully for a light yet flavorful tea sandwich, and you’ll find that each one plays a crucial role. When shopping, look for fresh pomegranate seeds and creamy, spreadable cream cheese to get the best results.

• White sandwich bread: Thin slices work best to keep the sandwiches delicate and easy to bite.
• Cream cheese: Using full-fat cream cheese ensures a rich and smooth filling.
• Crushed pineapple with juice: Adds natural sweetness and a lovely tang that brightens the cream cheese mix.
• Sour cream or mayonnaise: Helps mellow and stabilize the cream cheese texture; choose whichever you prefer.
• Green food colouring: Just a small amount gives you those vibrant festive colors for the holly and trees.
• Pomegranate seeds: These are your ‘holly berries’ and decorative accents—fresh and jewel-like.

Variations

I love how versatile this Christmas Tree and Holly Shaped Tea Sandwiches with Pineapple Cream Cheese and Pomegranate Decorations Recipe is—feel free to make it your own! Here are a few twists I’ve played around with that you might want to try too.

• Use different bread types: I once swapped white bread for whole wheat for a nuttier flavor, and my guests really enjoyed the heartier bite.
• Swap pineapple for other fruits: Try finely chopped mango or apricot preserves for a unique tropical or stone fruit twist.
• Make it vegan: Using vegan cream cheese and mayo works great while keeping the decorative elements intact.
• Add herbs: A little chopped fresh dill or chives mixed into the cream cheese adds a lovely herby lift.

How to Make Christmas Tree and Holly Shaped Tea Sandwiches with Pineapple Cream Cheese and Pomegranate Decorations Recipe

Step 1: Cutting Out Your Festive Shapes

First, grab your cookie cutters—one shaped like a Christmas tree and another like holly leaves. Cut out 8 Christmas tree shapes from 8 slices of bread, focusing on the center so the shapes pop out nicely. Then, cut out as many holly leaf shapes as you can from the remaining bread slices; I usually get about 24. This part is super fun, and if you have the kids around, it’s a perfect activity to get them involved.

Step 2: Mixing the Pineapple Cream Cheese Filling

Divide your cream cheese into two halves. For the first half, stir in the crushed pineapple along with its juice. You want to find that perfect consistency—not too runny, but creamy and spreadable. I usually add a little extra pineapple if it feels too thick. Then spread this luscious mixture evenly over one set of your shaped bread.

Step 3: Assembling the Sandwiches

Place the remaining bread shapes over the pineapple cream cheese bread slices to create a sandwich. Smooth and even edges make for easier decorating and lovely presentation—if the edges are a little uneven, I gently press them together so the filling stays put.

Step 4: Coloring and Piping the Decorations

Mix the other half of the cream cheese with sour cream or mayonnaise until you get a spreadable, pipeable consistency. Add green food coloring one drop at a time until you reach that perfect festive green. Using a #67 piping tip, pipe delicate lines down the center of each holly leaf and sweeping boughs on the Christmas trees. Finally, garnish with pomegranate seeds—two or three on holly leaves and one at each tree branch tip mimic bright holiday berries beautifully.

Step 5: Chill and Serve

Once decorated, keep your sandwiches refrigerated until you’re ready to serve. They hold up wonderfully for a few hours and are actually better when allowed to chill so the flavors meld slightly. Just trust me on this, they’ll be the star of the snack table!

How to Serve Christmas Tree and Holly Shaped Tea Sandwiches with Pineapple Cream Cheese and Pomegranate Decorations Recipe

Garnishes

I’m all about those little finishing touches! Besides the pomegranate seeds used for decorating, I like to sprinkle a tiny pinch of edible glitter or finely chopped fresh mint around the platter for an extra festive sparkle and fresh aroma. Little sprigs of fresh holly leaves (non-edible, just for looks) also elevate the display beautifully.

Side Dishes

This recipe pairs wonderfully with light, refreshing sides like cucumber salad, cranberry relish, or a simple bowl of mixed nuts. A hot cup of spiced tea or mulled wine is also the perfect companion when serving these delicate sandwiches at holiday gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve found that arranging these sandwiches on a large festive platter shaped like a wreath really makes a statement. Sometimes I layer them over pine branches (fresh or faux) for a rustic touch. If you’re hosting kids’ parties, turning the sandwich making and decorating into a build-your-own station is a hoot and keeps everyone entertained.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store any leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge, and they stay fresh for up to 24 hours. If you’re short on time, wrapping the sandwiches individually in plastic wrap before sealing the container helps preserve the shape and freshness better.

Freezing

While I typically don’t freeze these due to the fresh fruit and creamy filling, I have tried freezing the unassembled bread shapes alone for quick prep later. The bread does freeze well, so you can thaw it and assemble just before serving.

Reheating

Since these are best served chilled, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. If you do want to warm them slightly, I suggest removing the piping and pomegranate first, warming gently at room temperature to avoid soggy bread, and then reapplying fresh decorations.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Tree and Holly Shaped Tea Sandwiches with Pineapple Cream Cheese and Pomegranate Decorations Recipe has become my go-to for holiday entertaining. There’s something so joyful about these little sandwiches that are as delightful to look at as they are to eat. I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and share it with your loved ones—you’ll be amazed at how easy it is to bring such festive charm and flavor to your party table. Happy holiday baking!

Print