Holiday Savory Cheese Tree

This festive holiday cheese spread is shaped and decorated to look like a Christmas tree.

Recipe Ingredients:

2 (8-ounce each) packages cream cheese, softened
2 cups (8 ounces) shredded sharp cheddar cheese
2 tablespoons chopped red bell pepper - divided use
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
1 teaspoon lemon juice
Dash ground red pepper (cayenne)
1/4 cup purchased pesto sauce

Assorted crackers for accompaniment

Cooking Directions:

1. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese and cheddar cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until well blended. Stir in 1 tablespoon of red bell pepper, onion, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and ground red pepper; mix well. Cover and refrigerate for several hours or overnight.
2. Reserve about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture for the "trunk". Spread remaining cheese mixture onto a large serving platter and shape into a triangular shape to resemble a Christmas tree. Shape reserved cheese mixture at the base of the "tree" into the "trunk."
3. Spread pesto sauce over the top and decorate with the remaining 1 tablespoon red bell pepper.
4. Serve as a spread with assorted crackers.

Makes 24 appetizer servings.