Name: Candy Cane Caprese Board Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 2-3 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced; 2-3 balls of fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced; Fresh basil leaves, preferably large leaves; Extra virgin olive oil, a generous drizzle; Freshly ground salt, to taste; Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Introduction

This Candy Cane Caprese Board is a festive twist on a classic Italian appetizer. It combines fresh tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil arranged in a candy cane shape, making it perfect for holiday gatherings or any special occasion.

A vertical white marble cutting board holds a semi-circle of alternating layers of red tomato slices, white soft mozzarella cheese slices, and bright green basil leaves arranged neatly on top. The tomatoes have a juicy texture with visible seeds, the mozzarella is smooth and creamy, and the basil leaves look fresh with a matte texture. A light drizzle of olive oil glistens on top, with some finely ground black pepper sprinkled over the layers. Around the board, fresh green basil sprigs are scattered across a white marbled surface, providing a natural frame to the dish. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

2-3 tomatoes, thinly sliced
2-3 mozzarella balls, thinly sliced
Fresh basil leaves, large if possible
Extra virgin olive oil, a generous drizzle
Salt, freshly ground
Black pepper, freshly ground

Instructions

Step 1: Get a large serving board or tray to create your candy cane shape.
Step 2: Start at the top short end of the board and alternate slices of tomato, mozzarella, and basil leaves until you reach the end or use all ingredients.
Step 3: Season the assembled candy cane with freshly ground salt and black pepper.
Step 4: Drizzle extra virgin olive oil generously over the entire arrangement.
Step 5: Serve immediately for the freshest flavor and best presentation.

Tips & Variations

Use ripe but firm tomatoes to maintain shape and avoid excess moisture.
Substitute mozzarella with burrata for a creamier texture.
Add a balsamic glaze drizzle for a sweet, tangy contrast.
Incorporate pitted olives along the edge to enhance color and flavor.

Storage

For best results, serve the board fresh. If needed, cover and refrigerate leftovers for up to one day. Bring to room temperature before serving again. Avoid storing the assembled board for long to prevent sogginess from the tomatoes and basil.

How to Serve

A row of eight sets of layers arranged in a curved line on a white marbled surface, each set made of three layers: a bright red tomato slice on the bottom, a fresh green basil leaf in the middle, and a soft white mozzarella slice on top. A woman's hand is placing the last white mozzarella slice on the set closest to the bottom right corner of the image, showing clear texture and round shape. The colors are vivid, and the ingredients look fresh and moist. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the Candy Cane Caprese Board in advance?

It’s best served fresh to keep the basil vibrant and the slices from becoming watery. You can slice the ingredients a few hours ahead and assemble just before serving.

What if I can’t find fresh basil leaves?

If fresh basil isn’t available, you can substitute with fresh baby spinach or arugula for a different but still fresh flavor.

Candy Cane Caprese Board Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 167 reviews

This Candy Cane Caprese Board is a festive and visually stunning appetizer perfect for holiday gatherings. Featuring alternating slices of fresh tomatoes, creamy mozzarella, and aromatic basil arranged in the shape of a candy cane, this dish combines classic Italian flavors with a seasonal presentation. A generous drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, along with freshly ground salt and pepper, enhances the natural taste of the ingredients, making it a simple yet elegant starter that requires no cooking.

Author: Dana
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Yield: 4 servings 1x
Category: Appetizer
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: Italian
Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale

Caprese Ingredients

2–3 medium tomatoes, thinly sliced
2–3 balls of fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
Fresh basil leaves, preferably large leaves

Seasoning

Extra virgin olive oil, a generous drizzle
Freshly ground salt, to taste
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

Prepare your serving board: Choose a large serving board or tray to have enough space to arrange the ingredients in the candy cane shape.
Arrange the ingredients: Starting at the top short end of the board, alternate slices of tomato, mozzarella, and fresh basil leaves. Continue this pattern until you reach the bottom of the board or run out of ingredients, forming a curved candy cane shape.
Season the board: Once arranged, sprinkle freshly ground salt and black pepper evenly over the tomatoes and mozzarella.
Drizzle with olive oil: Generously drizzle high-quality extra virgin olive oil over the entire arrangement to enhance flavor and give a glossy finish.
Serve immediately: This dish is best enjoyed right away while the ingredients are fresh and at their optimal temperature and texture.

Notes

Use ripe but firm tomatoes to ensure clean slicing and good texture.
Fresh mozzarella works best; drain any excess liquid before slicing to prevent sogginess.
Extra virgin olive oil adds richness and a fruity aroma; don’t skip the drizzle.
For added flavor, consider a light balsamic glaze drizzle just before serving.
Serve chilled or at room temperature according to preference. Assemble shortly before serving to keep basil fresh and avoid wilting.

Keywords: Candy Cane Caprese Board, Christmas appetizer, Caprese salad, festive appetizer, tomato mozzarella basil, no-cook appetizer, Italian appetizer