Pin It A playful, nutritious snack tower inspired by giraffes&mdashlayers of fruits, vegetables, and cheese create a fun, eye-catching treat perfect for kids or parties.
This snack tower became a favorite in our family gatherings its playful design always delights the kids and encourages them to eat their veggies.
Ingredients
- Base & Body: 4 thick slices cucumber, 4 baby carrots, 4 celery sticks (cut into 4-inch lengths), 4 cubes cheddar cheese (about 1-inch), 4 cubes gouda cheese (about 1-inch)
- Neck & Head: 4 long pretzel rods, 8 black olive slices (for eyes), 4 cherry tomatoes (for the nose), 4 thin apple slices (for ears)
- Decorative Features: 2 tbsp cream cheese or hummus (for glue), 1 tbsp black sesame seeds (for spots), Fresh chives or parsley (for leaves grass garnish)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Lay out the cucumber slice as the base of each snack tower.
- Step 2:
- Stack a cube of cheddar cheese on the cucumber, followed by a baby carrot and a cube of gouda cheese to form the giraffes body.
- Step 3:
- Insert a pretzel rod upright into the stack for the neck, gently pressing it into the cheese and vegetable layers for stability.
- Step 4:
- Attach a cherry tomato to the top of the pretzel rod as the giraffes head, securing it with a dab of cream cheese or hummus if needed.
- Step 5:
- Use thin apple slices on each side of the cherry tomato to form ears, fixing them with cream cheese or hummus.
- Step 6:
- Place two black olive slices on the cherry tomato for eyes, and dab a drop of cream cheese or hummus to help them stick.
- Step 7:
- Sprinkle black sesame seeds along the body and neck for spots.
- Step 8:
- Garnish the plate with fresh chives or parsley to resemble leaves or grass.
- Step 9:
- Serve immediately for best texture.
Pin It This snack tower often sparks family smiles and fun conversations during party times.
Required Tools
Cutting board, Sharp knife, Small spoon or toothpick (for spreading cream cheese/hummus), Serving plate
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese, cream cheese) and gluten (pretzel rods). Tree nut free, peanut free, egg free. Always check product labels for cross-contamination if serving to individuals with allergies.
Nutritional Information
Calories approximately 85, Total Fat 4 g, Carbohydrates 10 g, Protein 3 g per tower.
Pin It Enjoy this creative snack that brings both nutrition and fun to the table every time.
Recipe FAQs
- → What ingredients make up the giraffe's body?
The body consists of cucumber slices, cheddar and gouda cheese cubes, baby carrots, and celery sticks layered together.
- → How is the giraffe's neck constructed?
A long pretzel rod is inserted upright into the cheese and vegetable layers to form the neck for stability and height.
- → What creates the facial features on the giraffe tower?
Cherry tomatoes serve as the head, black olive slices form the eyes, and thin apple slices are used for ears.
- → How do you keep the pieces attached in the snack tower?
Use cream cheese or hummus as an edible 'glue' to secure components like the head, ears, and olives in place.
- → Can this snack tower be adapted for vegan diets?
Yes, substituting dairy cheeses with plant-based alternatives and using hummus instead of cream cheese makes it vegan-friendly.
- → What garnishes add the finishing touch to the presentation?
Fresh chives or parsley are scattered around the plate to resemble leaves or grass, enhancing the visual appeal.