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Fresh Christmas Candy Cane Caprese Salad

candy cane caprese salad - featured image
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A festive twist on the classic caprese salad featuring crushed peppermint candy canes for a refreshing holiday surprise. Quick, easy, and perfect for holiday tables.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini or ciliegine), drained
  • 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 cup fresh basil leaves, whole or torn
  • 2–3 peppermint candy canes, crushed lightly
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1–2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
  • Pinch of flaky sea salt
  • Freshly ground black pepper (about 1/4 teaspoon, optional)

Instructions

  1. Place 2–3 peppermint candy canes inside a zip-top bag, seal tightly, and gently crush with a rolling pin or heavy pan until you have small shards—not powder. Set aside.
  2. Rinse 1 pint (approximately 300 g) of cherry tomatoes and slice them in half. Pick about 1 cup (roughly 25 g) of fresh basil leaves and tear any large leaves into bite-sized pieces.
  3. Drain 8 ounces (225 g) of fresh mozzarella balls and pat dry with a paper towel to avoid watery salad. Tear any large balls into smaller chunks.
  4. In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of extra virgin olive oil and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  5. Sprinkle with a pinch of flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper (about 1/4 teaspoon or to taste). Toss lightly again.
  6. Transfer the salad to a festive serving platter, arranging the ingredients so the colors pop. Then sprinkle the crushed candy cane shards evenly over the top.
  7. Use a spoon or squeeze bottle to drizzle about 1–2 tablespoons (15–30 ml) of balsamic glaze over the salad.

Notes

Crush candy canes to small shards, not powder, to avoid sticky sugary dust. Use fresh, ripe tomatoes for best flavor. Toss gently to keep mozzarella intact. Prepare no more than an hour ahead and add candy shards just before serving to maintain crunch. For dairy-free, substitute mozzarella with marinated tofu or vegan cheese and use dairy-free balsamic glaze.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas salad, candy cane salad, caprese salad, holiday appetizer, peppermint salad, festive salad, easy holiday recipe

Find it online: https://larameals.com/fresh-christmas-candy-cane-caprese-salad-recipe-easy-holiday-table-delight/