Description
This festive and beginner-friendly Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is a delightful holiday appetizer featuring layers of semi-hard cheeses, fresh fruits, nuts, and savory meats arranged beautifully in the shape of a Christmas tree. It's perfect for holiday gatherings and easy to assemble using a triangle guide made from string.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 6 to 8 ounces semi-hard cheese like gouda, cheddar, or havarti
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 Sweets
- 1/2 cup marcona almonds
- 1/4 cup candied ginger
Meats and Crackers
- 3 ounces salami
- crackers to fill and layer
Herbs and Extras
- 4 to 5 sprigs fresh rosemary
- honey for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Board: Select a large cheese board about 18 inches in diameter. Use a roll of string to form an even triangle shape on the board, taping each corner to secure it as a guide for your Christmas tree shape.
- First Layer: Arrange one layer of crackers along the bottom line of the triangle to form the base of your tree.
- Cheese Layer: Place sticks or cubes of semi-hard cheese above the crackers to build the next row.
- Grape Layer: Add a row of red grapes above the cheese layer to add color and variety.
- Cucumber Layers: Place two rows of sliced mini cucumber rounds above the grapes to introduce fresh crunch.
- Almond Layer: Layer marcona almonds above the cucumbers, mounding slightly to fill gaps and add texture.
- Raspberry Layers: Add two rows of fresh raspberries above the almonds for a burst of bright color and tartness.
- Cheese Cubes: Place a generous amount of cubed cheese above the raspberries to maintain the tree shape.
- Salami Layer: Fold slices of salami and layer them above the cheese cubes for savory flavor.
- Cracker Fill: Add crackers again above the salami to fill in the form and balance the board.
- Tree Top: Cut cheese into star or snowflake shapes and place them at the top of the tree for decoration.
- Decorate: Scatter candied ginger pieces among the layers to add sparkle. Wedge sprigs of fresh rosemary between rows to mimic pine branches. Add a few olives throughout the board to resemble ornaments.
- Finish and Serve: Carefully remove the string guide tape. Serve the board with honey on the side for drizzling to add sweetness.
Notes
- Use string taped to the board as a helpful guide to keep your Christmas tree shape uniform.
- Choose a wooden or sturdy board that can hold the weight of the ingredients and looks presentable.
- You can substitute other semi-hard cheeses or cured meats based on preference.
- Add seasonal fruits or nuts to complement your holiday palette and taste.
- Honey adds a lovely sweet contrast and pairs well with cheese and nuts.
- The rosemary not only adds a pine look but also a fresh aromatic touch to your board.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/6 board
- Calories: 300 kcal
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 15 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 25 mg
