Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is an easy and fun appetizer for the holidays. With step by step photo instructions, you can create the perfect snack for all of your festive get-togethers!
Fore more delicious holiday Appetizers, be sure to check out my Peppermint Cheesecake Dip, Cream Cheese Stuffed Peppers, and Crockpot Swedish Meatballs.
If you need a simple, yet show-stopping holiday appetizer, this Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board will surely do the trick!
It takes less than 20 minutes to prepare from start to finish, and is a crowd pleaser for kids and adults alike.
Plus, it’s a slightly healthier and lighter option when compared to the typical Christmas party food. (Here’s looking at you, Cranberry Bliss Bars.)
This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is totally customizable to your tastes, too. Don’t like olives? Skip em! Want more veggies? Go for it! It’s all about what you like!
Ingredients Needed for your Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- block of cheddar cheese
- red grapes
- round crackers (like Ritz or fancy crackers)
- salami
- block of mozzarella cheese
- cherry tomatoes
- green grapes
- black olives
- prosciutto
- mini pretzel sticks
- fresh rosemary
How to Make a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board – Step by Step Photos
Step 1: Add cheddar cheese and red grapes
Arrange the cheddar cheese on the bottom of a large cutting board, leaving about 2 inches of space at the bottom for the pretzel sticks. Next, arrange the red grapes above the cheddar, creating descending layers.
Step 2: Add crackers and salami
Add the crackers. Then fold each of the salami slices in half, then in half again, and arrange them in a ruffle pattern above the crackers.
Step 3: Add mozzarella and tomatoes
Next, layer the mozzarella cubes, followed by the cherry tomatoes.
Step 4: Add green grapes and olives
Add the green grapes and then the black olives to the board, continuing in the descending pattern.
Step 5: Add prosciutto, pretzels, and rosemary
Gently fold 4-5 pieces of the prosciutto at the very top to form the point of the tree. Tuck the pretzels under the cheddar cheese to form the trunk of the tree. Place the rosemary along the layer lines however you like to add more dimension to the board. Serve your Christmas tree Charcuterie board immediately, filling in any empty spots with extra ingredients as it starts to get eaten.
Tips and Notes
- Once assembled, this is best served immediately. If you need to make it in advance, it can be stored covered completely, and tightly with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to two hours. I like to let it come closer to room temp before serving though, so take it out and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes before serving.
- You can also prep all of the ingredients ahead of time, then assemble. Putting the actual Christmas tree charcuterie board together is pretty easy and quick, as long as your ingredients are ready to go.
- Use toothpicks to hold your salami pieces together. Once you fold your salami pieces, you can thread three or four of them together to help them hold their shape if they won’t stay folded on their own.
- Keep extras of all of your ingredients prepped and nearby so that you can easily refill the board as it gets eaten.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Substitutions and Additions
There are endless ways that you can customize your Christmas tree Charcuterie board to your liking! Here are a couple of ideas that you could add or interchange with the pictured ingredients:
- Nuts like walnuts or pecans
- Whole, baby dill pickles
- Blackberries or raspberries
- Grainy mustard or bacon jam, on the side
- Raspberry jam, on the side
- Dried cranberries
- Other cheeses like Colby, pepper jack, gouda, or brie
- Mini naan dippers
More Holiday Recipes You Should Try!
If you try this recipe, please leave a comment and rating below. I love to hear from you and always appreciate your feedback!
Recipe: Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
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
- Arrange the cheddar cheese on the bottom of a large cutting board, leaving about 2 inches of space at the bottom for the pretzel sticks.
- Next, arrange the red grapes above the cheddar, creating descending layers.
- Add the crackers. Then fold each of the salami slices in half, then in half again, and arrange them in a ruffle pattern above the crackers. Use toothpicks to hold the salami slices together if needed.
- Next, layer the mozzarella cubes, followed by the cherry tomatoes.
- Add the green grapes and then the black olives to the board, continuing in the descending pattern.
- Gently fold 4-5 pieces of the prosciutto at the very top to form the point of the tree. Tuck the pretzels under the cheddar cheese to form the trunk of the tree. Place the rosemary along the layer lines however you like to add more dimension to the board.
- Serve immediately, filling in any empty spots with extra ingredients as it starts to get eaten.
Notes
- Once assembled, this is best served immediately. If you need to make it in advance, it can be stored covered completely, and tightly with plastic wrap in the fridge for up to two hours. I like to let it come closer to room temp before serving though, so take it out and let it sit for about 15-20 minutes before serving.
- You can also prep all of the ingredients ahead of time, then assemble. Putting the actual Christmas tree charcuterie board together is pretty easy and quick, as long as your ingredients are ready to go.
- Use toothpicks to hold your salami pieces together. Once you fold your salami pieces, you can thread three or four of them together to help them hold their shape if they won’t stay folded on their own.
- Keep extras of all of your ingredients prepped and nearby so that you can easily refill the board as it gets eaten.
I made this for Christmas today with a few adjustments to make it more kid friendly with just meat, cheese and fruits. It turned out so lovely and everyone loved it!
I love how this turned out! It’s super pretty and has delicious options!
I love making these. They’re so fun! I’ll have to be sure to make one again for the holidays. They’re always a hit!
So pretty! Definitely saving this for later