Description
Create a festive and visually stunning Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board perfect for beginners. This beautiful appetizer features layers of semi-hard cheeses, fresh fruits, nuts, crackers, and vibrant garnishes arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree to wow your guests with minimal effort.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese
- 6 to 8 ounces semi-hard cheese like gouda, cheddar, or havarti
- Additional cheese cut into stars or snowflakes for topping
Fruits and Vegetables
- 10 to 15 red grapes
- 2 to 3 mini cucumbers, sliced into rounds
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- Handful of olives for ornaments
Nuts and Sweets
- 1/2 cup marcona almonds
- 1/4 cup candied ginger
Meat and Crackers
- 3 ounces salami, folded
- Crackers as needed to build layers
Garnishes
- 4 to 5 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- Honey for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Board: Select a large cheese board, about 18 inches in diameter, suitable for shaping the Christmas tree.
- Create Tree Outline: Use a roll of string to form a neat triangle on the board representing the tree shape, and tape the three corners to keep it steady.
- Build Base Layer: Arrange a single layer of crackers along the bottom edge of the triangle as the first row for the tree base.
- Add Cheese and Grapes: Place sticks or slices of semi-hard cheese in a row above the crackers, then add a row of red grapes on top of the cheese layer.
- Layer Cucumbers: Position two rows of sliced mini cucumbers above the grapes to add freshness and color.
- Place Marcona Almonds: Lightly mound about 1/2 cup of marcona almonds as the next layer to add texture and crunch.
- Add Raspberries: Arrange two rows of fresh raspberries above the almonds to contribute vibrant color and sweetness.
- Incorporate Cubed Cheese: Add a generous layer of cubed cheese over the raspberries to build the tree structure.
- Fold and Add Salami: Fold the salami slices and layer them next to add flavor and variety.
- Add Crackers: Fill in spaces above the salami and other layers with additional crackers to complete the shape.
- Top with Cheese Shapes: Cut cheese into festive star or snowflake shapes and place them at the top of the tree as the tree topper.
- Garnish: Scatter candied ginger pieces among the layers for sparkle and wedge fresh rosemary sprigs throughout to mimic the look of pine branches.
- Add Olives: Tuck olives into the layers as ornaments for a festive touch.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the taped string outline, and serve the board with honey on the side for drizzling.
Notes
- Use a wooden or sturdy board wide enough to comfortably hold the tree shape.
- String helps keep the tree shape neat, but remove it carefully to keep the structure intact.
- Substitute other semi-hard cheeses like Havarti or Cheddar based on preference.
- For a sweeter touch, try adding dried cranberries or figs instead of some grapes.
- Use flavored honey such as lavender or clover for extra depth.
- Salami can be swapped for prosciutto or other cured meats for variety.
- Adjust quantities of ingredients depending on desired board size and guest count.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 board
- Calories: 260 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
