Want a festive salad recipe that makes everyone smile before they even take a bite? This Burrata Snowman Caprese Salad brings the creamy charm of burrata together with fresh tomatoes and basil, shaped into the cutest little snowmen. It’s a joyful mix of flavor and funperfect for your Christmas Eve starters or to brighten up a holiday appetizer board.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s a showstopper on any table but takes minutes to make.
- Delicious mix of creamy burrata, juicy tomatoes, and basil.
- Perfect for Snowman Salad Ideas that double as edible décor.
Ingredients
Every ingredient in this Burrata Caprese Salad plays a tasty role. Use fresh, high-quality items for the best flavor and look.
- Burrata cheese: The creamy base for your adorable snowmen.
- Cherry tomatoes: Their bright color forms the “buttons.”
- Fresh basil leaves: Add a fragrant, festive pop of green.
- Extra virgin olive oil: For that golden, silky drizzle.
- Balsamic glaze: Gives a sweet, tangy finish and visual contrast.
- Mini mozzarella balls: Great for shaping snowman heads.
- Black pepper & sea salt: To season lightly and bring out the flavor.
- Carrot bits or peppercorns: For decorating eyes and noses.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s turn your kitchen into a winter wonderland with this playful, flavorful Festive Salad Recipe.
- Start by gently draining your burrata and mozzarella balls, pat them dry so your snowmen hold shape.
- On a clean plate, stack a large burrata for the body and a smaller mozzarella for the head. Secure with a short skewer or toothpick.
- Add cherry tomato halves as buttons down the front. Press tiny carrot bits for the nose and black peppercorns or olive bits for eyes.
- Arrange fresh basil leaves around as “scarves” and drizzle lightly with olive oil and balsamic glaze.
- Finish with a sprinkle of salt and pepper, and serve right away while burrata is soft and creamy inside.
Mistakes to Avoid
- Don’t skip drying the cheese. Moisture will make your Burrata Snowman Caprese Salad collapse.
- Avoid using watery tomatoes; they can make the plate messy.
- Don’t add glaze too early—it can darken the look if left too long.
- Never refrigerate after plating, as burrata texture changes when cold.
If you enjoy creative appetizers like this, check out other holiday hits like Snowman Cheese Ball Recipe and Antipasto Christmas Wreath. For another burrata twist, the Italian Burrata Caprese Salad and Mini Caprese Wreath Skewers are must-tries.
Burrata Snowman Caprese Salad
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 burrata cheese drained and patted dry
- 4 mini mozzarella balls drained and patted dry
- 8 cherry tomatoes halved
- 8 fresh basil leaves
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp balsamic glaze
- sea salt and black pepper to taste
- carrot bits or peppercorns for decoration (eyes and noses)
Instructions
- Gently drain and pat dry the burrata and mini mozzarella balls so they hold their shape.
- On a clean plate, stack one burrata ball as the body and a mini mozzarella as the head. Secure with a toothpick or skewer.
- Decorate with halved cherry tomatoes for buttons, and use carrot bits or peppercorns for the eyes and nose.
- Add fresh basil leaves around the neck area like scarves. Drizzle olive oil and balsamic glaze over each snowman.
- Finish with a sprinkle of sea salt and black pepper. Serve immediately for the creamiest texture.
Notes
- Assemble the snowmen just before serving for best texture and appearance.
- Avoid refrigerating after plating, as it affects the burrata’s consistency.
FAQs
How do I keep the burrata from leaking?
Burrata has a soft center, so handle it gently and assemble the salad right before serving. If you need to prep early, keep the cheese wrapped in its original liquid in the fridge and drain just before plating.
Can I make this ahead of time?
You can prep all the parts—like slicing tomatoes and cutting carrot decorations—earlier in the day. Assemble the snowmen right before serving for the freshest, creamiest result. Burrata tastes best at room temperature.
What can I serve with this festive salad?
This pairs beautifully with a Holiday Appetizer Board filled with cheese, crackers, and nuts. It’s also lovely beside light pasta or roasted veggies for a full Christmas Eve starters spread.
Conclusion
Every time you make this Burrata Snowman Caprese Salad, you’ll feel that spark of holiday cheer. It’s playful, pretty, and absolutely delicious—proof that simple ingredients can make magic when dressed up with a little imagination. Don’t forget to save this for your next Snowman Salad Idea and pin it for later!
