Name: Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: Holiday
Ingredients: 1 cup cubed cheddar cheese; 1/2 cup cubed brie or gouda; 1/2 cup mozzarella pearls; 1/2 cup salami slices; 1/4 cup prosciutto; 1/2 cup red and green grapes; 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds; 1/4 cup olives (green & black); Handful of cherry tomatoes; 1/4 cup dried apricots; 1/4 cup nuts (almonds or pecans); Rosemary sprigs (for garnish & tree shape); Mini crackers or breadsticks; 1 slice cheddar (cut into a star shape)

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If you’re anything like me, holiday gatherings mean food, family, and a whole lot of festive creativity. One year, I decided to turn a simple grazing board into something that actually looked like Christmas, and out came the Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board. My husband walked in, looked at it, and said, “Is this even legal? It’s too pretty to eat!” But eat it we did, every last olive, every cheese cube, every rosemary sprig. This board is now a tradition in our home. It’s not just food, it’s a centerpiece that gets everyone talking before dinner even starts.

Whether you’re hosting a party or bringing a dish to someone else’s, this Christmas charcuterie board will become your new holiday hero.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Charcuterie Board Recipe

Festive and functional. This isn’t just a board, it’s a conversation starter. The Christmas tree shape makes it a total showstopper on your table, and it’s incredibly easy to put together. There’s no cooking involved, which means no stress and more time enjoying the party.

You’ll also love that it’s fully customizable. From creamy brie to peppery salami, you can tailor every element to your preferences or your guests’ dietary needs. Plus, with its beautiful balance of colors and textures, it naturally invites people to graze. It’s similar in crowd-pleasing power to these Cranberry Cream Cheese Crescent Bites, which pair beautifully with it, by the way.

Most importantly, this recipe doesn’t require you to be an artist. You’re layering simple, delicious ingredients into a tree shape, and the rosemary does all the aesthetic lifting. It’s charming, easy, and absolutely delicious.

Ingredients You’ll Need

This holiday charcuterie board focuses on colors, textures, and taste. Here’s what I used to build mine (but feel free to swap based on your favorites):

Cheeses: Cubed cheddar, brie, gouda, mozzarella pearls
Meats: Salami, prosciutto, pepperoni
Fruits: Red and green grapes, dried apricots, pomegranate seeds
Extras: Green and black olives, cherry tomatoes, mixed nuts, cornichons
Crackers and Bread: Mini breadsticks, assorted crackers
Herbs: Fresh rosemary sprigs (these are essential for the “tree” look!)
Star topper: I used a star-cut cheddar slice, but you could use a cookie cutter on any cheese

Don’t forget, you can also add a sweet touch with something like chocolate-dipped pretzels or fig jam. For a cozy side, try this Christmas Tree Focaccia, it echoes the shape and adds fresh-baked charm to your spread.

How to Make the Best Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Start with a large wooden board or platter. Then follow these easy steps to create a stunning holiday presentation:

Build the tree outline
Use rosemary sprigs to sketch a rough triangle starting wide at the base and narrowing to a point at the top. This becomes your tree “skeleton.”
Layer the ingredients
Begin layering your meats, cheeses, fruits, and extras in horizontal rows, following the tree shape. Alternate colors and textures: a row of cheddar, then salami, then grapes, and so on.
Top it off
Place your star-cut cheese at the tip of the tree. Fill in any empty gaps with pomegranate seeds or small crackers.
Add the base
Form a small trunk at the bottom using breadsticks or pretzel rods.

Want a visual reference? This layout pairs well with other themed boards like the Thanksgiving Charcuterie Board if you’re planning across seasons.

Tips and Variations

Keep it cold. If you’re prepping ahead, cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate, but wait to add crackers and herbs until just before serving to keep them crisp and vibrant.
Use what you have. Don’t stress if you’re missing one ingredient. Swap in anything that fits the theme. For example, use strawberries or cranberries instead of grapes if you’re leaning more festive.
Go mini. Making individual charcuterie trees on small plates is great for sit-down dinners or intimate brunches.
Make it vegetarian. Just skip the meat and use marinated veggies like artichokes, cherry peppers, and sun-dried tomatoes instead.

For more holiday snacks and seasonal favorites, you’ll also enjoy this Christmas Kitchen Sink Cookies recipe that keeps the sweet cheer going all day long.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make this ahead of time?
Yes, build the board (minus crackers and herbs) a few hours in advance and refrigerate. Add fresh touches just before serving.

What board should I use?
A large wooden or marble platter works best. Rectangle shapes are ideal for fitting the tree design.

How long can this sit out?
For food safety, no longer than 2 hours. Use cold packs underneath if setting it out on a buffet.

Can I make a dairy-free version?
Absolutely! Use plant-based cheeses and amp up fruits, nuts, and olives for a delicious alternative. You might also consider pairing it with Crispy Butternut Squash Appetizer for added variety.

Final Piece

There’s something magical about bringing beauty to your holiday table without spending hours in the kitchen. This Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board lets you do just that. It’s festive, it’s delicious, and it doubles as edible décor.

Whether you’re celebrating big or small, this recipe will add color, fun, and flavor to your Christmas party spread. So go ahead, get creative, stay joyful, and maybe sneak a cube of brie before guests arrive. I always do.

For more easy and satisfying recipes, don’t hesitate to join me on Pinterest – where good food meets great company!

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Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Why You’ll Love This Christmas Charcuterie Board Recipe