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Holiday Caprese Snowmen Appetizers

Festive and adorable no-cook appetizers shaped like snowmen, built with fresh mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and basil on skewers.
Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings: 12 snowmen
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Holiday, Italian
Calories: 110
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Snowman Body
  • 24 balls small fresh mozzarella Ciliegine or Bocconcini size, drained
  • 1 large English cucumber cut into 12 thick slices
  • 6 whole cherry tomatoes halved horizontally
  • 12 leaves fresh basil small to medium size
Decoration & Seasoning
  • 1 small piece carrot cut into tiny triangles for noses
  • 60 approx whole black peppercorns for eyes and buttons
  • 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil for drizzling
  • 1 pinch flaky sea salt to taste
  • 1 pinch freshly ground black pepper to taste

Equipment

  • Wooden skewers or toothpicks (approx. 4-6 inches)
  • Cutting board
  • Small sharp knife
  • Serving platter

Method
 

  1. Prep ingredients: Slice cucumber into 12 thick rounds. Halve cherry tomatoes. Cut carrot into 12 tiny triangles. Drain mozzarella balls well.
  2. Assemble the base: Thread one mozzarella ball onto a skewer, pushing it towards the bottom. Insert the bottom tip of the skewer firmly into a cucumber slice so it stands upright.
  3. Add scarf and head: Thread a basil leaf onto the skewer to rest on the first cheese ball. Follow with a second mozzarella ball for the head.
  4. Add the hat: Place a halved cherry tomato, cut-side down, onto the top of the skewer.
  5. Decorate: Carefully press two peppercorns into the top ball for eyes, the carrot triangle for a nose, and three peppercorns into the bottom ball for buttons.
  6. Repeat process to create 12 snowmen. Arrange on a serving platter.
  7. Just before serving, drizzle lightly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Notes

For a kid-friendly version, substitute black sesame seeds for the peppercorn eyes and buttons. These can be assembled a few hours ahead and stored covered in the fridge; add oil and seasonings just before serving.