American | Appetizers | Christmas | Holidays | Snacks
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
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This Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is rows of cheese, salami, grapes, olives and cherry tomatoes shaped into a tree, with a brie star filled with cranberry sauce on top. It takes about 20 minutes to put together and it’ll have everyone gathering around at your holiday party.
You don’t need any special skills, just a big board and a plan for the rows. Swap in whatever cheese and meat you like. Put out my Slow Cooker Cranberry Meatballs alongside it and you’ve got a full Christmas party spread.
Why you’ll love this Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
The Christmas Gift Behind This Charcuterie Board
This board started with a Christmas gift. My husband works at Truelio, a loyalty and rewards partner agency here in Atlanta, and one year they surprised him with a gorgeous charcuterie board for Christmas. Around the holidays we love having wine and cheese nights at home, so I knew exactly what to do with it. There’s no better way to break in a new board than turning it into a Christmas tree.
Ingredients Needed for Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
- Brie cheese: Creamy and mild. Cutting a star into the rind and filling it with cranberry sauce makes the tree topper.
- Cranberry sauce: Sweet and tart, with a pop of red. Use store-bought or my Slow Cooker Cranberry Sauce.
- Cheddar and Colby cheese: Cubed for rows of sharp and buttery cheese.
- Mozzarella balls: Soft and mild to balance the richer cheeses.
- Salami and sausage: The classic charcuterie meats. Fold the salami so it sits in a neat row.
- Red and green grapes: Juicy, sweet and in Christmas colors.
- Cherry tomatoes: They look like little ornaments.
- Green olives: Salty and briny next to the cheese.
- Crackers: Club crackers make the bottom row and give everyone something to pile toppings on.
- Almonds: The tree trunk, plus a little crunch.
- Fresh cranberries (optional): Scatter them over the rows as ornaments.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs: They look like pine branches and smell like Christmas.
How to make Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
**For more detailed instructions, please refer to the printable recipe card below.**
- Cut a star shape into the top of the brie rind with a small cookie cutter or knife and fill it with cranberry sauce.
- Place the brie at the top of a long board and start building rows underneath: cheddar cubes, red grapes, Colby cubes, then sausage slices, making each row a little wider than the last.
- Keep going with mozzarella balls and olives, folded salami, more Colby, cherry tomatoes and a row of crackers, then add a small pile of almonds at the bottom for the trunk.
- Tuck rosemary sprigs along both sides for the branches and scatter fresh cranberries over the rows as ornaments.
Christmas Charcuterie Board Ideas and Variations
- All Cheese Tree: If you’re hosting cheese enthusiasts, skip the meats and make this Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board a full-on cheese board. Add slices of creamy gouda, tangy blue cheese, and buttery Monterey Jack for variety. You can also include flavored cheeses, like herb-crusted goat cheese or smoked cheddar, to really impress.
- Fruit-Focused Tree: For a sweeter twist, pile on dried apricots, figs, and pomegranate seeds to complement the cheeses. Grapes and fresh apple slices are also fantastic additions. Bonus: the bright colors of the fruit really pop, making your tree look extra festive.
- Herb-Infused Tree: If you love earthy, aromatic flavors, mix in fresh thyme and parsley sprigs alongside the rosemary. These not only enhance the tree’s appearance but also add an extra layer of fragrance. You could even sprinkle a little cracked black pepper or sea salt over the herbs for a gourmet touch.
- Nut-Free Tree: No almonds? No problem. Swap them out with extra crackers, pretzels, or even breadsticks for a satisfying crunch. You can also use veggie chips or popcorn for a creative, nut-free option that still adds texture.
- Vegetarian Tree: Skip the meats and bring in some plant-based flair. Marinated mushrooms, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, and cucumber slices make fantastic vegetarian alternatives. You can even add spiced chickpeas or grilled zucchini for a unique twist.
Serving Suggestions
- With Honey: Drizzle honey over the brie for a sweet and sticky finish that pairs beautifully with the cranberry sauce. You could also set out a small dish of honey alongside the board so guests can add it to their favorite bites.
- Wine Pairing: A crisp white wine, like Sauvignon Blanc, cuts through the richness of the cheeses, while a bold red, like Cabernet Sauvignon, complements the meats and cranberries. If wine isn’t your thing, a sparkling cider or mocktail works just as well!
- Bread on the Side: Add some sliced baguette or ciabatta alongside the crackers for variety. Toasted bread adds a lovely crunch and holds up well with heavier toppings like brie and cranberry sauce. You could try my Rustic Bread too.
- Dip Option: A small bowl of hummus, garlic aioli, or herb butter placed near the tree is a great addition. These dips work well with veggies, meats, or crackers and give guests even more ways to enjoy the board.
- Snack Platter: Pair this charcuterie board with a smaller dessert board featuring Coconut Fudge, Chocolate Baileys Truffles, Spiced Peanuts and dried fruits. It’s a sweet and savory combo that keeps everyone snacking all night.
Storage and Freezing
- How should I store Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board?
If there are leftovers, store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Keep crackers separate to prevent them from getting soggy.
- Can I freeze Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board?
Most of the components (except the crackers) can be frozen separately and reused for another board. Wrap cheese tightly in plastic wrap before freezing. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Don’t forget to pin this for later!
Tips & Tricks
- Use a Large Board: A big board makes all the difference when creating a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board. It gives you plenty of room to arrange the layers and ensures the design looks balanced. If your board feels too small, try placing parchment paper underneath to extend the space visually while keeping things neat.
- Pre-Cut Ingredients: Save yourself time by cutting cheeses into cubes and slicing meats ahead of time. Store them in airtight containers in the fridge until you’re ready to assemble. This way, you’re not scrambling to prep while your guests are arriving.
- Work from the Top Down: Start with the brie at the top to create your “tree topper” and work your way down, layer by layer. This keeps the tree shape organized and prevents you from accidentally running out of space at the bottom.
- Stick to Fresh Herbs: Fresh rosemary is a standout here because of its pine-like look and fragrant aroma. If you don’t have rosemary, use fresh thyme or parsley. Avoid dried herbs. They won’t look as festive or smell as lovely.
- Balance the Colors: Alternate reds, greens, and whites in each row to keep the tree looking vibrant and festive. Too much of one color can make it look unbalanced, so spread the ingredients out evenly across the layers.
Recommended
More Christmas Appetizers
Looking for More Christmas Ideas?
My Monthly Meal Plan for December 2026 has easy dinners for the whole month, so you can save your energy for the parties. This board is one of the starters in my easy Christmas dinner ideas, which covers the whole holiday menu.
FAQ
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
A Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board with rows of cheese, salami, grapes, olives and cherry tomatoes, topped with a brie star filled with cranberry sauce. An easy holiday party appetizer.
Equipment
- Charcuterie board or serving tray
- Small cookie cutter or knife (for the brie star)
Ingredients
Cheese Layers:
- 1 Small brie cheese rind cut into a star shape, filled with cranberry sauce
- 1 cup Cheddar cheese cubed
- 1 cup Colby cheese cubed
- 1 cup Fresh mozzarella balls
Meats:
- 16 Salami slices
- 16 Cooked sausage slices
Fruits & Vegetables:
- 1 cup Red and green grapes
- ½ cup Cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup Fresh cranberries optional
Snacks & Garnishes:
- ½ cup Green olives
- ½ cup Almonds
- 1 box Crackers
- 5-6 sprigs Fresh rosemary
Instructions
Prepare the brie star topper:
- Use a small cookie cutter or knife to cut a star shape out of the brie cheese rind.
- Fill the cutout with cranberry sauce. Place the brie at the very top of your rectangular charcuterie board.
Build the Christmas tree shape:
- Start just below the brie and arrange rows of ingredients to form a triangular “tree.” Follow this guide:
- Row 1: A small row of cheddar cubes, about 3-4 pieces wide.
- Row 2: A line of red grapes, slightly wider than the Cheese.
- Row 3: A row of Colby cheese cubes, slightly wider than the grape row.
- Row 4: A layer of sliced sausage slices.
- Row 5: Mozzarella balls and green olives mixed together, continuing to widen the shape.
- Row 6: Folded salami slices in a single line, slightly wider than the row above.
- Row 7: A row of Colby cheese cubes, slightly wider than the salami row.
- Row 8: A row of Cherry tomatoes.
- Row 9: A row of Crackers along the bottom.
- Row 10 (tree trunk): Arrange a wide rectangle of almonds at the bottom.
Decorate the tree:
- Scatter fresh cranberries across the rows as "ornaments."
- Tuck small sprigs of rosemary between rows to mimic tree branches.
Fill in gaps:
- Use extra ingredients (like grapes or mozzarella balls) to fill empty spaces while keeping the triangular shape intact.
- Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready.
Nutrition
Calories: 1250kcalCarbohydrates: 38gProtein: 54gFat: 98gSaturated Fat: 39gPolyunsaturated Fat: 12gMonounsaturated Fat: 39gTrans Fat: 0.4gCholesterol: 236mgSodium: 2979mgPotassium: 751mgFiber: 3gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 839IUVitamin C: 5mgCalcium: 557mgIron: 5mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
