If you’re on the hunt for a festive and incredibly delicious holiday appetizer, I absolutely have to share this one with you. The Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe is not only a feast for the eyes but also a total crowd-pleaser. When I first tried this, I was amazed at how simple ingredients come together to create such a flavorful, creamy dip that’s perfect for any Christmas gathering. Stick with me—I’ll walk you through the whole thing so you can nail it in your own kitchen!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Festive & Fun Presentation: You get a charming Christmas tree shape that’s as cute as it is tasty.
- Easy to Make: Just blend, spread, and decorate—no complicated cooking needed.
- Healthy & Flavorful: With cannellini beans and pesto, it’s packed with protein and vibrant flavors.
- Flexible Ingredients: Tons of ways to customize the toppings to your liking or what’s in your fridge.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe lies in the simple yet complementary ingredients. You’ll want to pick fresh or high-quality versions, especially for the pesto and toppings to really elevate the flavor.
- Cannellini beans: Opt for organic or reduced-sodium if you can; rinsing them well cuts down on any canned taste.
- Reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel cheese): It keeps things creamy but lighter than full-fat cream cheese.
- Kosher salt: It’s all about seasoning just enough to bring out the bean and cheese flavors.
- Fresh or refrigerated pesto: Fresh-looking and vibrantly green pesto is key—refrigerated varieties tend to be better than shelf-stable ones.
- Yellow bell pepper: For that festive star topper—fresh is best, but you can use a star-shaped cracker as well.
- Brownish or purple-black pepper: This makes the tree trunk, or substitute with a brown, rectangular cracker.
- Chopped artichoke hearts: Canned, not marinated, adds a yummy texture and mild flavor.
- Chopped roasted red peppers: Jarred works perfectly for a sweet, colorful garland effect.
- Kalamata olives: Slice horizontally into rings; they make perfect little ornament “baubles.”
- Sweety Drop peppers: These tiny, colorful peppers add pops of festive color and a slight sweetness.
- Crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese or tomato-basil-flavored feta: A sprinkle that mimics snow and adds tangy goodness.
Variations
Since I love playing around with how this dip looks and tastes, I encourage you to personalize your Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe however you like. It’s great for making your own style stand out!
- Make it vegan: Try swapping cream cheese for a cashew-based spread and use a dairy-free feta alternative; my vegan friends swear by this switch and still love the festive look.
- Spicy twist: Add a bit of finely chopped jalapeño or crushed red pepper flakes into the dip for a gentle heat that balances beautifully with the pesto’s basil freshness.
- Different toppings: I once swapped out artichokes for chopped sun-dried tomatoes and Kalamatas for green olives, which added a lovely color contrast and flavor punch.
- Snack platter upgrade: You can add mini mozzarella balls or thin slices of prosciutto if you’re feeling fancy—just keep the tree shape clear!
How to Make Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe
Step 1: Blend the Base Until Silky Smooth
Pop your drained and rinsed cannellini beans, cream cheese, and kosher salt into a blender or food processor. I usually use the mini ninja processor—it’s perfect for this amount. Blend it until it’s perfectly smooth and creamy, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides so no beans go unmixed. This smoothness is the foundation for your “tree,” so take your time here.
Step 2: Shape Your Christmas Tree on a Platter
Take a large platter (I like an oval one about 12″ x 16″) and spread your bean-cream cheese mixture in the shape of a Christmas tree. This is where your creative side shines! Don’t worry about making perfect edges; the toppings will help define the shape beautifully.
Step 3: Layer on the Pesto “Needles”
Spread a thin layer of pesto over your cream cheese base, leaving a little border around the edges so the white base shows through like snow. Depending on how thick your dip layer is, use between ¼ and ⅓ cup of pesto. This addition not only adds vibrant color but loads of fresh, herbal flavor that lifts the whole dish.
Step 4: Add Your Festive Decorations
Use a cookie cutter to carve a star from the flat side of the yellow bell pepper and cut a rectangle from your darker pepper for the trunk. If you prefer, crackers shaped like stars and rectangles work great too. Then, decorate your tree using artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers to make garlands. Add sliced Kalamata olives and Sweety Drop peppers as shiny ornaments. Finally, sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese over the top to look like gentle snow dusting. It’s so satisfying to see your creation come to life here!
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe
- Choose Quality Pesto: I’ve found refrigerated pesto has more vibrant color and flavor than the shelf-stable jars—this really makes your tree pop!
- Softening the Dip: If you make the base in advance, pull it out about 20 minutes before serving to let it soften—it spreads and tastes so much better this way.
- Creative Garnishing: Use small cookie cutters for veggies if you want precise stars or rectangles—this little trick makes your presentation look professional.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Don’t go too wild with toppings or you’ll lose the tree shape; less is more when it comes to decoration balance.
How to Serve Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep things simple but festive when garnishing. The crumbled feta really acts as a snowy cover, while the colorful peppers and olives add a playful brightness. Adding a few fresh basil leaves around the edges can also add an extra herbaceous note and tie it all together beautifully.
Side Dishes
For dipping, I usually offer pita chips, sliced baguette, or crunchy veggies like cucumber and celery sticks. These add nice texture contrasts and keep it light enough for snacking all evening. My family goes crazy for the pita chips with this dip every year!
Creative Ways to Present
For a holiday party, I’ve tried placing the Christmas Tree Bean Dip on a wooden board surrounded by a wreath of fresh herbs and cranberries. It creates a wow-factor centerpiece that guests can’t help but admire before digging in. Another fun idea is serving it with edible gold or silver leaf crackers to add a little shimmer for a fancy holiday vibe.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
After your party, store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge. I usually keep the toppings separate if I plan to enjoy it for a couple of days, to keep everything fresh and crisp. The bean base itself holds up well for up to 3 days.
Freezing
I don’t typically freeze this dip because of the cream cheese texture, which can become grainy when thawed. However, if you want to prep the base ahead, freeze the plain bean and cream cheese mixture without pesto or toppings, then thaw in the fridge and add fresh pesto and decorations when ready to serve.
Reheating
This dip is best served at room temperature. If refrigerated, just leave it out for about 20 minutes before serving to soften. Avoid warming it in the microwave as it can separate the cream cheese and alter the texture.
FAQs
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Can I use a different type of beans for the Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe?
Absolutely! While cannellini beans are preferred for their creamy texture and mild flavor, you can experiment with chickpeas or great northern beans. Just keep in mind that each bean has a slightly different flavor and consistency, so you might need to adjust seasoning accordingly.
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Is homemade pesto better than store-bought for this recipe?
Homemade pesto is fantastic if you have the time—it’s fresher and lets you control the flavor intensity. However, a good-quality store-bought refrigerated pesto works perfectly and saves a lot of prep time. Just choose one that looks bright green and tastes fresh.
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How far in advance can I prepare the Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe?
You can prep the base and toppings a day or two ahead, storing them separately. Assemble the tree shortly before serving for best texture and flavor. If assembled earlier, keep it wrapped tightly in plastic wrap in the fridge and let it come to room temperature 20 minutes before serving.
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What can I use instead of cream cheese for a lighter version?
Neufchâtel cheese, which is reduced-fat cream cheese, is already lighter but you could also blend the beans with Greek yogurt for a tangier, lighter alternative. Just be mindful the texture will be a bit different and might be less stable when spread.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe has become one of my absolute holiday staples—not just because it’s delicious, but because it’s so fun to make and share. It’s impressive, healthy, and easy to pull off, even when you’re busy hustling to get everything together for Christmas. I genuinely think you’ll enjoy putting this together almost as much as you’ll enjoy eating it. Go on, make your holiday table a little brighter and tastier this year with this festive dip!
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Christmas Tree Bean Dip with Pesto Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Low Fat
Description
A festive and delicious Christmas Tree Dip made with creamy cannellini beans and reduced-fat cream cheese, decorated with vibrant pesto and colorful toppings to resemble a holiday tree. Perfect as a party appetizer or a fun holiday snack that combines smooth, savory flavors with fresh and tangy accents.
Ingredients
Base:
- 1 (14.5-ounce) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 (8-ounce) block reduced-fat cream cheese (Neufchâtel cheese)
- ¼ teaspoon kosher salt
Toppings:
- ¼ – ⅓ cup fresh or refrigerated pesto
- Yellow bell pepper (for the star, or a star-shaped cracker)
- Rectangular slice of brownish or purple-black pepper (for the tree trunk, or a brown, rectangular cracker)
- ½ cup chopped artichoke hearts (canned, not marinated)
- ½ cup chopped jarred roasted red peppers
- Kalamata olives, sliced horizontally into rings
- Sweety Drop peppers (tiny, tear-shaped peppers)
- 1-2 tablespoons crumbled, reduced-fat feta cheese or tomato-basil-flavored feta
Instructions
- Blend the Base: In a blender or food processor, combine the drained cannellini beans, reduced-fat cream cheese, and kosher salt. Blend until the mixture is very smooth, scraping down the sides as needed to ensure an even consistency.
- Shape the Tree: Spread the creamy mixture evenly onto a large platter (about 12″ x 16″ oval works well), sculpting it into the shape of a Christmas tree. Aim for a smooth surface to better display the toppings.
- Add Pesto Layer: Gently spread a thin layer of pesto over the cream cheese base, avoiding the edges to create a neat border. Use about ¼ cup of pesto for a thinner layer, or up to ⅓ cup if your cream cheese layer is thick or on a smaller platter.
- Prepare and Place the Decorations: Using a cookie cutter, cut a star shape from the flat side of the yellow bell pepper for the tree’s star. Cut a rectangle from the brownish or purple-black pepper for the trunk. Alternatively, use a star-shaped cracker and a brown rectangular cracker for these pieces. Place the star on top of the tree and the trunk at the bottom.
- Decorate the Tree: Arrange chopped artichoke hearts and roasted red peppers in strings to mimic garland across the tree. Scatter Kalamata olive rings and Sweety Drop peppers around as ornaments. Finally, sprinkle the entire tree with crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese to resemble snow.
Notes
- Pesto Quality: Choose a fresh and vibrant pesto for best flavor and color—refrigerated pesto brands like Rana or Kirkland are excellent choices.
- Make-Ahead Tips: For easier prep, chop and prep toppings 1-2 days in advance and store in the refrigerator. Then blend the base and assemble just before serving. You can also prepare the entire dip up to a day ahead; wrap well and refrigerate, but bring out 20 minutes before serving to allow the cream cheese to soften for optimal texture and flavor.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 of dip (about 8 tablespoons)
- Calories: 110
- Sugar: 1.5g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
