Dessert

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe

ByLila Prescott November 16, 2025November 16, 2025

Introduction

This festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is a delightful way to celebrate the holidays with family and friends. It combines colorful layers of cheese, meats, fruits, and snacks arranged beautifully to mimic a Christmas tree. Perfect for parties or casual gatherings, this board is as visually appealing as it is delicious.

A wooden board shaped like a Christmas tree holds seven horizontal layers arranged from bottom to top: the first layer is bright orange cheese cubes; the second layer is fresh green rosemary sprigs; the third layer is dark purple grapes; the fourth layer is a line of round light beige crackers; the fifth layer is folded slices of salami in a wave pattern; the sixth layer is white cheese cubes; the seventh layer is halved red cherry tomatoes; the eighth layer is green grapes; the ninth layer is black olives topped with several slices of curled pink prosciutto. Several rosemary sprigs are scattered between layers, and wooden toothpicks sit on both sides of the board, all placed on a white marbled surface. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

8 ounce block of cheddar cheese (cut into cubes)
1 heaping cup of red grapes

20-25 round crackers (like Ritz)
5 ounces salami

8 ounce block of mozzarella cheese (cut into cubes)
1 heaping cup of cherry tomatoes

1 heaping cup of green grapes
1 cup black olives (drained)
3 ounces Prosciutto

1/2 cup mini pretzel sticks
fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

Instructions

Step 1: Arrange the cheddar cheese cubes on the bottom of a large cutting board, leaving about 2 inches of space at the bottom for the pretzel sticks.

Step 2: Place the red grapes just above the cheddar in a descending layered pattern.
Step 3: Add the round crackers above the grapes. Fold each salami slice in half twice and arrange them in a ruffle pattern above the crackers. Use toothpicks if needed to keep them in place.
Step 4: Layer the mozzarella cubes followed by the cherry tomatoes above the salami.

Step 5: Add the green grapes and then the black olives, continuing the descending layering up the board.
Step 6: Gently fold 4-5 slices of prosciutto at the very top to form the point of the tree.
Step 7: Tuck the mini pretzel sticks under the cheddar cheese to form the tree trunk. Garnish by placing fresh rosemary sprigs along the layer lines to add dimension.

Step 8: Serve immediately, and refill any empty spots with extra ingredients as guests enjoy the board.

Tips & Variations

Substitute salami with pepperoni or ham for different flavors.
Use additional fresh herbs like thyme or basil if rosemary is unavailable.

Add nuts such as almonds or walnuts for a crunchy texture.
Include a variety of cheeses like gouda or brie for more diversity.

Storage

Store any leftovers covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. For best results, allow the board to come to room temperature before serving again. Avoid storing crackers with moist items to prevent sogginess.

How to Serve

A wooden board placed on a white marbled surface holds a colorful arrangement of snacks layered by type; at the top, a small pile of thin pale pink and white folded prosciutto rests beside two sprigs of fresh green rosemary, below it a cluster of shiny black olives and green grapes mixed with halved red cherry tomatoes and small white cheese cubes scattered alongside more rosemary; in the middle, a row of folded red salami slices with white marbling sits above a neat line of round golden crackers; beneath the crackers, there is a bunch of dark purple grapes with another rosemary sprig, and finally, at the bottom, orange cheese cubes are placed next to a small bundle of pretzel sticks, all layers separated and accented by rosemary sprigs. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the board in advance?

You can assemble most of the board a few hours ahead, but add fresh herbs and pretzels just before serving to maintain freshness and crispness.

What can I use instead of rosemary for garnish?

If you don’t have fresh rosemary, fresh thyme, parsley, or basil leaves make excellent garnish alternatives that add both aroma and visual appeal.

Lila Prescott