Christmas Tree Cheese Spread

Three layers of our lemony herb cheese spread get stacked up into a festive edible Christmas tree.

Ingredients

• 2 pkgs. (8 oz. each) cream cheese, at room temperature
• 8 oz. dill Havarti cheese, shredded, 2 cups
• ½ cup chopped scallions
• ¼ cup chopped fresh basil
• ¼ cup chopped fresh parsley
• ¼ cup chopped fresh dill
• 2 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1 Tbs. lemon juice
• ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ tsp. pepper
• ½ red pepper, trimmed to lay flat
• ¼ yellow pepper, trimmed to lay flat
• Fresh dill sprigs
• Assorted crackers

Instructions

1. Line 1 (4¾”x2”; scant 2-cup capacity) ramekin and 2 (3¼”x2”; ⅔-cup capacity) ramekins with enough plastic wrap to overhang sides by 2”. On low speed, beat cream cheese, Havarti, scallions, herbs, lemon zest and juice, salt and pepper until blended. 
2. Press about 2 cups cheese mixture into larger ramekin. Divide remaining mixture between 2 smaller ramekins; smooth tops.  Cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight. 
3. Unwrap spreads. Place large spread serving plate; top with 1 smaller spread. Shape remaining spread into cone about 2¾” high; place on top. Using 3/8” round cutter, cut out rounds from red pepper. Using 1¾” star-shaped cutter, cut out star from yellow pepper. Decorate tree with dill sprigs, pepper rounds and star, placing toothpick in star to attach if necessary. Serve with crackers.