Description
Create a festive and visually stunning Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board that combines a variety of cheeses, meats, fruits, crackers, and garnishes arranged artfully in the shape of a Christmas tree. This appetizer is perfect for holiday gatherings, offering a delightful mix of flavors and textures, ready in just 30 minutes to serve 6 guests.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 8 ounce block of cheddar cheese (cut into cubes)
- 8 ounce block of mozzarella cheese (cut into cubes)
Meats
- 5 ounces salami
- 3 ounces prosciutto
Fruits & Vegetables
- 1 heaping cup of red grapes
- 1 heaping cup of green grapes
- 1 heaping cup of cherry tomatoes
- 1 cup black olives (drained)
Snacks and Garnishes
- 20–25 round crackers (like Ritz)
- 1/2 cup mini pretzel sticks
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
Instructions
- Arrange Cheddar Cheese: Begin by placing the cubes of cheddar cheese on the bottom section of a large cutting board, leaving about 2 inches of space at the bottom to accommodate the pretzel sticks which will form the trunk of the tree.
- Add Red Grapes: Layer the red grapes directly above the cheddar cheese, continuing the descending row pattern to build the structure of the tree visually.
- Place Crackers and Salami: Lay out the round crackers above the grapes. Then fold each slice of salami in half, and then in half again to create a ruffled look. Arrange these folded salami pieces in a row above the crackers. Use toothpicks to secure them if necessary.
- Layer Mozzarella and Cherry Tomatoes: Follow with a layer of mozzarella cheese cubes and then a layer of cherry tomatoes, keeping the descending pattern consistent.
- Add Green Grapes and Black Olives: Place the green grapes in a layer above the tomatoes, then add the black olives to continue building the tree shape with varying colors and textures.
- Top With Prosciutto and Pretzel Sticks: Gently fold 4 to 5 pieces of prosciutto and arrange them at the very top of the board to form the pointed top of the Christmas tree. Tuck the mini pretzel sticks under the cheddar cheese at the bottom to serve as the tree trunk.
- Garnish with Rosemary: Decorate the charcuterie board by placing fresh rosemary sprigs along the layer lines to add dimension and a festive touch.
- Serve Immediately: Present the Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board right away, topping up with extra ingredients as needed when guests eat portions to maintain the full appearance.
Notes
- Use toothpicks to secure the folded salami for ease of serving.
- Feel free to customize the garnish by adding other fresh herbs or edible flowers for additional color.
- This board is best served fresh to maintain the texture of the crackers and freshness of the fruits and veggies.
- To make preparation easier, cut all the cheeses and measure ingredients ahead of time.
- Substitute any meats or cheeses if you have dietary restrictions or preferences.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Christmas charcuterie board, holiday appetizer, festive cheese board, salami platter, party snacks
