My charcuterie board christmas tree is a delightfully simple appetizer that’s bound to steal the spotlight at your holiday parties. Featuring your favorite cheeses, cured meats, and fresh fruits, all arranged in the shape of a tree, this adorably festive charcuterie board will undoubtedly add that special touch of holiday cheer to your table.
Healthy Charcuterie Board Christmas Tree How To
I first made this cute fresh fruit, cheese, and meat snack for my kids and their friends after school. It was a hit! I loved that I could serve healthy snacks in a really fun way.
It’s super customizable and can be prepped in advance too!
Why You’ll Love This Festive Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
Here’s why this charcuterie tree is the ideal appetizer to start your Christmas party:
- Simple & Speedy – This easy recipe for my holiday charcuterie board takes just a few minutes of prep time to make. Simply arrange different types of cheese and your favorite meats in a Christmas tree shape on a wooden board, then use fresh herbs, an assortment of your favorite ingredients like nuts and dried fruits, and star fruit or a cheese star topper to add holiday pizzazz.
- Built for Mingling – Holiday gatherings are all about getting to spend time with your loved ones, which is why I’m such a fan of make-ahead finger foods. This festive Christmas charcuterie board acts as an edible centerpiece that’ll get your guests talking, plus it can hang out at room temperature for several hours. It’s the perfect appetizer for any holiday party!
- Versatile – Themed charcuterie boards aren’t just for Christmas parties; they can easily adapt to any occasion. And the best part? They’re as customizable as your holiday playlists because there’s no actual recipe! Make them vegetarian, gluten-free, or nut-free so you can include everyone in the holiday season festivities.
What you’ll need for this holiday appetizer
- Fresh fruits – apple slices, grapes, and star fruit
- Sliced cheeses – cheddar cheese, gouda, and pepper jack
- Cured meats – salami and pepperoni
- Crackers
- Pretzel sticks
- Nuts or dried fruit
Step-by-step instructions to make your own charcuterie board christmas tree
Step 1: Start by preparing all of your ingredients – slice the cheese, cut up the fruit and have the crackers and meats ready to go.
Step 2: On a large wooden cutting board, or your favorite large platter, arrange the prepared ingredients in the shape of a christmas tree. Start at the base of the tree with the apple slices and arrange them as wide as you’d like the bottom on your tree to be. Add the salami, crackers, cheese slices, grapes, pepperoni, more cheese slices, grapes and then lastly a slice of star fruit at the top of the tree.
Step 3: Add pretzel sticks at the bottom of the tree for the trunk, and then sprinkle more star fruit and nuts on the tree as “ornaments”. Enjoy!
Watch me make a holiday charcuter-TREE!
The full how to video can be watched below, or on my YouTube channel!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
Exploring different Christmas charcuterie board ideas can transform your festive gathering into a memorable feast that caters to everyone’s tastes and dietary needs. With these variations, this festive board will not only be a delicious centerpiece but also a thoughtful reflection of your guests’ diverse tastes and dietary preferences:
- Go Vegetarian: Replace meats with vegetarian options like marinated artichokes, sundried tomatoes, and a variety of nuts and seeds. Vegan “charcuterie” options are also available these days!
- Cheese Selections: Embrace a variety of cheeses, from mild mozzarella balls to sharp white cheddar. Include dairy-free cheeses to welcome those with lactose intolerance or a vegan lifestyle. Try cutting different cheeses into different shapes (e.g. slices, cubes, stars, etc.) for an extra festive appearance.
- Gluten-Free Options: Making this Christmas tree cheese board celiac-friendly is as simple as using gluten-free crackers and breads. Most cheeses and meats are gluten-free, but it’s always safe to double-check. Additions like black or green olives, nuts, and fresh fruits are naturally gluten-free and add diversity to your board.
- Fruit-Focused: Incorporate an abundance of fresh fruits. Green grapes, halved figs, and slices of pear or apple are all great options. They offer a sweet counterpoint to the savory cheese and bring a vibrant aesthetic to your board. It also makes the Christmas cheese board more approachable for the kiddos!
- Sweet & Savory Mix: Balance your board with sweet elements like chocolate, honeycomb, or candied nuts. After all, who doesn’t love sweets around the holidays?!? As a bonus, foil-wrapped chocolates are a great way to add some bling to your charcuterie Christmas tree.
Serving Suggestions
Remember, the key to a successful charcuterie board is not just in its contents but also in how it’s presented and paired, making every holiday event more joyful and delicious. Here are some serving suggestions to ensure yours is the highlight of any gathering:
- Pair with Christmas Appetizers: Complement your charcuterie board with other holiday appetizers like mini quiches, a turkey fruit platter, or cranberry jalapeño meatballs. When it comes to a grazing table, the more the merrier!
- Holiday Drink Pairings: Offer a selection of holiday drinks to accompany your board. Think mulled wine, spiced cider, or festive cocktails. Non-alcoholic options like sparkling grape juice or chai hot chocolate are perfect for kids and DD’s alike.
- Sharing Means Caring: Hate showing up empty-handed? This easy Christmas charcuterie board acts as both a source of food, plus an ice-breaker and conversation starter. It’s easy to eat while mingling, and its variety appeals to everyone.
- Built for the Whole Family: For a family gathering, position your charcuterie board as the heart of the feast. It’s something everyone, from kids to grandparents, can enjoy together.
Recipe Success Tips
By following these tips, you’ll not only create a delicious Christmas appetizer but also turn it into a stunning centerpiece that captures the spirit of this special time of year:
- Mix It Up. Aim for a blend of soft and hard cheeses, a variety of meats from spicy to mild, and various textures from crunchy nuts to chewy dried fruits. This variety keeps the board interesting and caters to different palates.
- Consider Color & Presentation. The appeal of a Christmas tree-shaped charcuterie board lies in its visual impact. Use fresh herbs like rosemary sprigs or thyme to add greenery, and arrange items in a way that showcases colors and shapes beautifully.
- Prep Ingredients in Advance. Slice cheeses, cut fruits, and prepare other components beforehand. This not only saves time but also allows you to assemble the board quickly before serving.
- Offer a Variety of Breads & Crackers throughout the board. I like to use pretzel sticks as the tree trunk, then round or square crackers to create different levels of the tree.
- Labeling the items on your board is very helpful and considerate for those with dietary preferences or food allergies.
- Don’t Overcrowd the Board. While you want a plentiful spread, overcrowding can make it hard for guests to pick items without toppling others.
- Be Creative with Shapes. Use cookie cutters to help cut your cheese and fruit into festive shapes like stars or bells.
How to store leftovers
Your holiday charcuter-TREE can be prepped in advance, and leftovers also keep well. To prep in advance, simply make your appetizer and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap to keep everything in it’s place and fresh.
Leftovers can be wrapped lightly in foild, or moved into individual airtight storage containers. Fresh fruits, meats and cheeses should be stored in the fridge, whereas crackers and nuts can be kept at room temperature.
More festive recipes you’ll love
Healthy Charcuterie Board Christmas Tree How To
Ingredients
- Fresh fruits – apple slices, grapes, and star fruit
- Sliced cheeses – cheddar cheese, gouda, and pepper jack
- Cured meats – salami and pepperoni
- Crackers
- Pretzel sticks
- Nuts or dried fruit
Instructions
- Start by preparing all of your ingredients – slice the cheese, cut up the fruit and have the crackers and meats ready to go.
- On a large wooden cutting board, or your favorite large platter, arrange the prepared ingredients in the shape of a christmas tree. Start at the base of the tree with the apple slices and arrange them as wide as you’d like the bottom on your tree to be. Add the salami, crackers, cheese slices, grapes, pepperoni, more cheese slices, grapes and then lastly a slice of star fruit at the top of the tree.
- Add pretzel sticks at the bottom of the tree for the trunk, and then sprinkle more star fruit and nuts on the tree as “ornaments”. Enjoy!
If you try this charcuterie board christmas tree recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!
XO
Heather
2 comments
This is perfect for a holiday party, and I love that it’s a little healthier than most charcuterie boards! Thank you!
So glad you enjoyed it, Megan!