1-Gathering and Preparing Ingredients: First, gather all your ingredients and make sure your workspace is set up. Wash the tomatoes and basil leaves thoroughly to remove any dirt. Slice the fresh mozzarella logs and medium vine ripe tomatoes into 1/4-inch thick pieces for even layering.

2-Gathering and Preparing Ingredients: Next, use a cookie cutter to cut star shapes from two slices of mozzarella and stack them to form the tree’s topper. This step adds a fun holiday element to your Caprese Christmas Tree. Prepare the four-inch chunk of sliced baguette by halving it through its thickness; this will act as the tree stump at the base.

3-Assembling the Tree: Now, on a large cutting board or serving tray, start with the base row by alternating overlapping slices of mozzarella, tomato, and basil use about six of each to create a sturdy foundation. Continue adding rows above, making each one narrower to form a tall triangular tree shape. Place the star-shaped mozzarella stack on top and position the bread chunk at the bottom for stability.

4-Assembling the Tree: Once the shape is built, sprinkle the dried oregano over the layers if you choose to use it. Then, drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze evenly across the tree for extra flavor. Season everything with flakey sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, and optionally scatter more flakey sea salt around to look like snow.

5-Final Touches and Serving: Serve the Caprese Christmas Tree shortly after assembly to keep it fresh. Remember, don’t leave it at room temperature for more than two hours after taking it out of the fridge. A serving of this dish offers about 199 calories, with 15 grams of fat, 358 mg of sodium, 4 grams of carbohydrates, and 13 grams of protein, making it a balanced choice for your holiday spread.