This Candy Cane Caprese Board from The BakerMama’s Beautiful Boards cookbook is such a simple and stunning way to serve an appetizer during the holidays.
A Christmas Caprese!
My Candy Cane Caprese Board appetizer requires just a few ingredients and comes together in a matter of minutes so you can spend more time with your loved ones this holiday season. Slices of fresh mozzarella and vine-ripe tomatoes layered in a candy cane shape with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of sea salt makes for a healthy and festive addition to your holiday spread.
Along with fresh basil, a balsamic glaze and toasted baguette slices, it’s such a simple way to impress your guests around Christmas.
Watch Me Build at Candy Cane Caprese Board
Step into the kitchen with me to build this stunning and delicious holiday caprese board!
Simple and Stunning
I adore the stunning simplicity of this board. It takes minutes to build with minimal ingredients yet makes for such a beautiful and delicious dish to serve at a holiday gathering. It’s a must make this holiday season!
When I first created this Candy Cane Caprese Board last January for my Beautiful Boards cookbook, I could hardly wait for the Christmas season to get here so I could make it again and again. I’ve already made it for several parties and plan to make it again on Christmas Eve with my family and then again for Christmas dinner with my in-laws. I know everyone will love it!
Be sure to get a copy of my Beautiful Boards cookbook! It includes this beautiful board inspiration along with 50 total boards for every occasion. It’s a must have for easy entertaining and creative ways to feed your family delicious food. It also makes for a great holiday gift, hostess gift, birthday gift or just because gift!
What Do I Need to Make a Candy Cane Caprese Board?
- Pre-sliced mozzarella
- Large fresh tomatoes
- Fresh basil leaves
- Balsamic glaze
- Olive oil
- Flaky sea salt
- Toasted baguette
- 18×12 wood board
How to Build a Candy Cane Caprese Board
I use an 18’x12″ wood board to build the Candy Cane Caprese Board on, but you could certainly use any size board or platter that will fit the size of the candy cane you wish to serve.
- Start at the top end of the candy cane shape and alternate layering a slice of fresh mozzarella with a slice of tomato until you get a big candy cane shape.
- Place fresh basil leaves around the board and a small serving bowl with the balsamic glaze.
- Just before serving, drizzle the mozzarella and tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with additional olive oil and sea salt, as well as toasted baguette slices.
Quick Tips!
One great tip I love to share with others that are planning to make this Candy Cane Caprese Board is to look for the pre-sliced fresh mozzarella cheese log in the cheese section of your grocery store. I know most major grocery stores like Trader Joe’s, Target, Tom Thumb, Albertson’s, Whole Foods and Wal-Mart all carry it. Grab the log of sliced mozzarella first and then take it over to size up which tomatoes you get so they’re close in size for making the candy cane shape.
For the balsamic glaze, check the salad dressing aisle of most grocery stores as there’s usually a great pre-made balsamic glaze that’s perfect for drizzling like this one from Target or this one from Trader Joe’s.
More Holiday Caprese Magic
A beautiful and delicious Caprese Wreath makes a festive addition to your holiday meals. Simple and easy to make, it’s an elegant appetizer everyone will love.
A Candy Cane Caprese Board is such a great appetizer to serve at a holiday gathering. I hope you enjoy making and serving it too! Be sure to tag me on Instagram (@thebakermama) so I can see!
Happy Holidays!
xoxo,
Candy Cane Caprese Board
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 8 people
Description
This Candy Cane Caprese Board from The BakerMama’s Beautiful Boards cookbook is such a simple and stunning way to serve an appetizer during the holidays.
Ingredients
- 16 ounce log of fresh pre-sliced mozzarella
- 3 large fresh tomatoes, sliced 1/4 thick into about 12 slices
- fresh basil leaves, for garnishing
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- olive oil, for drizzling
- flaky sea salt, for sprinkling
- toasted baguette, for serving
Instructions
- Start at the top end of the candy cane shape and alternate layering a slice of fresh mozzarella with a slice of tomato until you get a big candy cane shape.
- Place fresh basil leaves around the board and a small serving bowl with the balsamic glaze.
- Just before serving, drizzle the mozzarella and tomatoes with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Serve with additional olive oil and sea salt, as well as toasted baguette slices.
How do you eat this? Serving utensils?
Hi Leslie! I would recommend serving the board with a large serving fork for the tomato and cheese slices and then a little spoon for the balsamic glaze. Make sure everyone has an appetizer plate and/or cocktail napkins and let them build their own caprese with the crostini, mozzarella, tomatoes, basil and balsamic glaze to enjoy with their fingers or you could give them serveware if they have a place to sit and eat it. We just enjoy ours with our fingers. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Has anyone made this ahead of time? How did that go?
Hi Kit! I’ve made it a few hours in advance and just wait to drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with sea salt until just before serving. If the tomatoes are juicy, I would recommend placing a few paper towels around them to absorb any moisture and also cover with plastic wrap to store in the refrigerator. Hope this helps. Enjoy!
Amazing Appetizers I making this for all my holiday gatherings now ! I love the wreath idea as well!
Love the idea looks great
Family loved this! So delicious, festive & simple to make.