If you are looking for a healthy, low calorie Christmas treat these Watermelon Christmas Trees are it! Easy to make, adorable in a Christmas fruit platter and delicious!
The Christmas holidays are loaded with sweet calorie-dense treats that are both hard to resist and fun. These watermelon trees are a showstopping surprise! The unexpected Christmas tree shapes are enchanting to all AND a welcome refreshing healthy treat option.
The combination of juicy watermelon and tangy Greek yogurt is delicious and thirst quenching too.
A cut in the base of the tree allows them to stand vertically (or they can be laid down on their backs).
Serve as a stand alone skinny treat or add them to a fruit snack board or along with a skinny charcuterie plate.
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Recipe Ingredients Notes
Watermelon. Choose a seedless watermelon if possible. You'll need two slices of 1-inch thick watermelon. The size of the whole watermelon will determine the size of the watermelon trees. Choosing a large round watermelon allows cutting the best size trees from the watermelon rounds.
Greek yogurt. We recommend non-fat Greek yogurt and love Chobani brand. It's thick and delicious.
How to cut watermelon into triangles (trees)
It's easy to cut watermelon into fun Christmas trees! You don't even need a Christmas tree cookie cutter. A sharp knife will do it.
STEP 1. Cutting watermelon triangles
Using a knife, divide the 1” thick watermelon slices into 8 pieces of the same size (photo 2).
Cut the bottom of the Christmas trees and make sure to make a flat cut on the base of each one (photo 3).
STEP 2. Decorate watermelon
Fill a piping bag with a fine round tip or a Ziploc style plastic bag with Greek yogurt, snip the corner and use it to pipe yogurt onto the Christmas trees (photo 4).
STEP 3. Chill
Place the watermelon Christmas trees on a parchment lined tray or baking sheet in the refrigerator until serving. Enjoy this simple and healthy snack!
Variations
No yogurt. Watermelon and yogurt are a delicious combination but if you want to leave out the yogurt, enjoy the watermelon trees as is!
Using a Christmas tree cookie cutter. If you want to skip cutting the rind, using a Christmas tree cookie cutter to cut trees out of just the red fruit. They may not be strong enough to cut through the rind.
Pro Tips
Slice thickness is important. The thickness is important to get your Christmas trees to stand up and be stable. If you don’t cut them thick enough, the trees won’t be strong to stand up.
Make a flat cut on the watermelon rind. In order to have your trees stand up in a vertical position (if desired), you need to make a flat cut on the base of the Christmas tree (the rind) to provide a stable surface for the tree trunk.
Pat the watermelon dry. Before adding the yogurt pat the watermelon slice with a paper towel. This will help with the yogurt adhering to the fruit especially with a juicy watermelon.
How to Store
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. If cutting the watermelon ahead, store the watermelon only and decorate a few hours before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Most larger grocery stores carry them year round now. Try stores like Whole Foods that carry a wide variety of produce all year long if you can't find one at your regular grocery store.
Yes. The thickness of Greek yogurt allows it to stay in place. If you are standing the tree upright other yogurts may slide down the watermelon.
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Recipe
Watermelon Christmas Trees
Ingredients
- 2 large watermelon slices 1” thick
- 8 ounces non-fat Greek yogurt
Instructions
- Using a knife, divide the 1” thick watermelon slices into 8 pieces of the same size.
- Cut the bottom of the Christmas trees and make sure to make a flat cut on the base of each one.
- Fill a piping bag fitted with a fine round tip or a Ziploc bag with Greek yogurt, snip the corner and use it to pipe yogurt onto the Christmas trees.
- Place the watermelon Christmas trees in the refrigerator or freezer for 1-2 hours until serving. Enjoy this simple and healthy snack!
Mandy Applegate says
These are so adorable, a great festive treat!
Kristen Wood says
My kids really enjoyed making these with me! They were so fun and delicious, too. Thank you for the great idea! 🙂
Seema says
These trees are adorably cute and perfect for us here in Sydney as we are having Christmas in summer.
Tara says
Oh how fun! My daughter loved these so much. Watermelon is a favorite of hers.
veenaazmanov says
Love your creativity. This is so simple yet so unique and perfect. Water Melon sounds healthier too.
Andrea Thueson says
These are about the cutest things I have ever seen, so clever! My family loved them. Thank you!
Allyson Reed Zea says
This is so quick and easy, I love it!
Taylor says
These are SO fun! I'm always looking for healthier alternatives to serve at Christmas and this is just perfect. Thank you!
Marion says
These are adorable! Such an easy and smart idea. I had a watermelon and made them this morning. Took me less than 10 minutes. What a surprise for everyone at the breakfast table! Thank you.