Description
Create a festive and visually stunning Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board perfect for beginners. This fun appetizer features layers of semi-hard cheeses, fresh fruit, nuts, cucumbers, salami, and festive garnishes arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree, ideal for holiday parties or gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheese and Meat
- 6 to 8 ounces semi-hard cheese like gouda, cheddar, and havarti
- 3 ounces salami
Fruits and Vegetables
- 10 to 15 red grapes
- 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
- 2 to 3 mini cucumbers, sliced into rounds
- handful of olives
Nuts and Garnishes
- 1/2 cup marcona almonds
- 1/4 cup candied ginger
- 4 to 5 sprigs of fresh rosemary
Others
- crackers (enough to create multiple layers in the tree shape)
- honey for serving
Instructions
- Select and Prepare Board: Choose a cheese board large enough to create the tree design, ideally around 18 inches in diameter, such as a wooden board with a metal rim.
- Create Tree Outline: Use a roll of string to form an even triangle representing the Christmas tree on the board and tape the corners securely to hold the shape.
- Bottom Row: Lay one layer of crackers along the bottom edge inside the triangle to form the base of the tree.
- First Layers: Add sticks of cheese on top of the crackers, followed by a row of red grapes above the cheese sticks.
- Middle Layers: Layer two rows of sliced mini cucumbers over the grapes. Then mound marcona almonds to fill the next section above the cucumbers.
- Berry and Cheese Layers: Place two rows of fresh raspberries above the almonds, then add a generous amount of cubed cheese on top.
- Meat and Crackers: Arrange folded salami slices as the next layer, then fill more space with crackers above that.
- Tree Top and Decorate: Cut cheese into star or snowflake shapes to adorn the top of the tree. Scatter candied ginger pieces amongst the layers for sparkle. Wedge fresh rosemary sprigs between some rows to mimic tree branches and tuck in olives to resemble ornaments.
- Final Touch: Carefully remove the taped string from the board to reveal the tree shape, and serve the charcuterie board with honey on the side for drizzling.
Notes
- Using a string outline helps beginners create a neat and visually appealing tree shape easily.
- Choose semi-hard cheeses that hold their shape well when cubed or sliced.
- Marcona almonds can be lightly mounded to fill gaps and add texture.
- Fold salami slices for a fuller, decorative look.
- Fresh rosemary not only adds to the appearance but also provides a pleasant aroma.
- Honey complements the savory and sweet elements on the board and can be served on the side for guests to drizzle as they like.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg
