Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

This Christmas tree charcuterie board is a fun and tasty appetizer for holiday parties or small get-togethers. 

This Christmas tree charcuterie board appetizer can be customized any way you like. While mine is fairly small and meant for four to six people, you can make it as big as you like, especially if you have a large serving board or tray. 

Ingredients: 

Cheeses: I used both Vermont cheddar and pepper jack cheeses. If you have a larger board, you definitely should add a softer cheese, such as a blue cheese and/or goat cheese for a contrast in texture. You could also substitute other, more "gourmet" cheeses for the cheddar and pepper jack. Check with your favorite cheese shop for their favorites. 

Cured Meats: I used Italian dry salami and Genoa salami, but any of your favorite cured meats would work. It's great to vary the textures. Check with your favorite Italian deli to see what they recommend. 

Fruits and Veggies: For my small tree, I used blueberries, cherry tomatoes, along with some cornichons and Castelveltrano olives, but you can use grapes, any other kind of olive or an olive mixture, sliced Persian cucumbers, raspberries, cauliflower and/or broccoli bites. You can also use dried fruits such as apricots, dates, cranberries, or mangoes. 

Nuts: You can incorporate your favorite nuts into the tree or set a bowl on the side of the tray. I used red Hatch chile pecans from Melissa's Produce. Their pistacchios and cashews are also amazing. 

Crackers: I used pretzel sticks to form the tree trunk. You could use any cracker for the trunk, as well as gifts under the tree! If you have a large board, you can also layer a row of crackers into the tree. 

I added a small bowl of lavash cracker stars on the side. Ideally, it's great to offer several kinds of crackers, both lean and buttery. You can also fan them out on the side of the tree. 

Tree "Branches": I used sprigs of rosemary between some of the layers to represent the tree branches. We have an out-of-control rosemary bush in our patio. You could also substitute mint leaves, basil leaves, or thyme sprigs. 

Other Options: You can also add some dips and spreads on the side. 

If your board or tray is too small for the group, or can't fit everything you want to offer, just place small bowls of back-up ingredients on the side. 

If you're serving a small group, you can even buy small kits that contain a variety of cured meats and cheeses from your grocery store.
 

For the cheese star on top, I used a cookie cutter. You could also cut several cheese stars and use them to "decorate" your tree throughout. 

Make-Ahead:

You can prep each of your ingredients in advance and keep them in the refrigerator until you are ready to assemble your Christmas tree. 

Make a list of the ingredients in the order that you will be assembling the tree, either from the top down or the bottom up! 

Nine Creative Charcuterie Board Ideas: 

For more charcuterie board ideas, be sure to check out the rest of the Sunday Funday groups' takes on the theme:

• Culinary Cam: A Grazing Board for Gratitude 
• Food Lust People Love : Charcuterie Picnic Boxes 
• Our Good Life: Christmas Grazing Board 
• Karen's Kitchen Stories: Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board 
• Mayuri's Jikoni: Mexican Vegetarian Grazing Board 
• Sneha's Recipe: Sandwich Charcuterie Board 
• Palatable Pastime: Thanksgiving Turkey Charcuterie Board 
• Amy's Cooking Adventures: Turkey Charcuterie Board 
• A Day in the Life on the Farm: Turkey Trot Sandwich Board 

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Yield: 4 to 6

Author: Karen Kerr

Prep time: 10 MinTotal time: 10 Min

This Christmas tree charcuterie board is a fun and tasty appetizer for holiday parties or small get-togethers.

Ingredients

• Cherry tomatoes (can also use cucumber slices, or small broccoli or cauliflower florets)
• Cheddar cheese and pepper jack cheese, (or other favorite cheeses), cut into squares as well as a star.
• Cornichon pickles
• Genoa and Italian dry salami slices (or other favorite cured meats)
• Blueberries (or grapes/raspberries/strawberries)
• Castelvetraino olives (or other olives)
• Pretzel sticks or dark crackers for the tree trunk
• Seasoned pecans or other nuts
• Your favorite variety of crackers
• Several sprigs of rosemary

Instructions

1. Assemble the ingredients in rows to create a Christmas tree, placing the rosemary sprigs between every two to three layers.
2. Array extra ingredients on the tray or in bowls.

https://www.karenskitchenstories.com/2024/11/christmas-tree-charcuterie-board.html

Karen's Kitchen Stories

charcuterie

Appetizer