Not ready for the holiday season to end? Continue celebrating through the weekend with holiday-themed grilled cheese sandwiches.

Pine Tree Cheese Melts
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 5 minutes per batch

18 slices white bread
18 slices pumpernickel bread
3 cups (12 ounces) shredded Colby-Monterey Jack cheese
1 cup plus 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1⁄3 cup chopped green onions
 11⁄2 teaspoons minced fresh basil or 1⁄2 teaspoon dried basil
1⁄4 to 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
Butter, softened

Using a 31⁄2-inch Christmas tree cookie cutter, cut a tree shape in the center of each slice of bread; remove cutouts. Place a white bread cutout in each slice of pumpernickel. Place a pumpernickel cutout in each slice of white bread.

In a large bowl, combine the cheese, mayonnaise, onions, basil and garlic powder. Spread over nine slices of bread; top with remaining bread. Butter outside of sandwiches. Cook in a large skillet over medium heat until golden brown on both sides.

Makes 9 sandwiches.

Recipe from: Taste of Home