Today’s Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board is our go-to holiday appetizer we make each year. And that’s because it’s delicious, simple, easy to customize and loved by everyone.
This board is arranged in the shape of a Christmas tree with cheese, crackers, meats, fruit, vegetables, nuts, pesto, and fresh garnishes. It’s colorful, fun to build, and perfect for giving guests something easy to snack on before dinner or any party.
We especially love this because it looks so cute on a holiday table but doesn’t require cooking. And it’s so easy to change up based on the foods you love and want to serve.
Pair it with some of our favorite homemade dips, like Hummus, Homemade Ranch dressing, or Dill Vegetable Dip and you’re set!
Why you’ll love it + Why it works:
- A Stunning Centerpiece: Festive Christmas tree shape makes this board a fun holiday centerpiece.
- No Cooking Required: Keeps party prep simple.
- There’s Something for Everyone: Cheese, meats, fruit, vegetables, crackers, and nuts give guests lots of options.
- Garnishes Bring it to Life: Rosemary, citrus stars, and pomegranate arils add color, texture, and a pretty Christmas finish.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Ingredients
- Pesto, representing “presents” placed at the bottom (1 cup): Adds a flavorful dip and creates cute little “presents” at the base of the board.
- Hard breadsticks, to be the trunk of the tree (1 cup): Creates the tree trunk and add a crunchy dipping option.
- Cheddar cheese cubes (½ cup): Adds bold cheese flavor and a golden color.
- Cucumber slices (½ cup): Adds fresh crunch and green color.
- Crackers (½ cup): Adds a crisp base for cheese, meats, and pesto.
- Pepperoni slices (½ cup): Adds savory flavor and a classic charcuterie option.
- White cheddar cubes (½ cup): Adds creamy cheese flavor and a pretty white contrast.
- Cherry tomatoes (½ cup): Adds bright red color and juicy freshness.
- Grapes, your favorite color (½ cup): Adds sweetness, freshness, and a colorful fruit option.
- Blueberries (½ cup): Adds a sweet bite and deep color.
- Almonds, your favorite flavor (¼ cup): Adds crunch, nutty flavor, and texture.
- Orange slice cut into shape of a star for the tree topper: Creates a festive star at the top of the tree.
- Lemon peel cut into star shapes for decor: Adds bright color and cute little decorations throughout the board.
- Rosemary twigs to garnish between layers of the tree: Adds greenery, fragrance, and help define the tree branches.
- Pomegranate arils can be scattered around for decor: Adds red color, sparkle, and a festive finish.
How to Make a Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board
DIP BOWLS. You will want to start by placing some condiment bowls (or ramekins) at the bottom of your tray on either side of where the tree trunk will be.
TRUNK. Assemble your trunk using some hard breadsticks.
TREE. Build your tree starting with any ingredients you prefer. Remember that you will want your tree to be wider on the bottom and gradually get smaller as you reach the top of the pan.
STAR. Thinly slice an orange and then, using a star-shaped cookie cutter, cut a star out of the slice. Place your star at the top of the tree and add some pomegranate arils on your tray for garnish as well.
GARNISHES. You can also cut some stars out of lemon peels or cheddar cheese to add around your tray. Garnish with some rosemary sprigs or fresh herbs.
Kristyn’s Recipe Tips
- Place the bowls first so you can build the tree shape around them.
- Start with wider ingredient rows at the bottom and make each row smaller as you move toward the top.
- Use rosemary between layers to make the board look more like tree branches.
- Keep crackers and breadsticks slightly separate from wet ingredients so they stay crisp.
Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board Recipe
Equipment
- toothpicks or serving prongs
Ingredients
- 1 cup pesto, representing “presents” placed at the bottom
- 1 cup hard breadsticks, to be the trunk of the tree
- ½ cup cheddar cheese cubes
- ½ cup cucumber slices
- ½ cup crackers
- ½ cup pepperoni slices
- ½ cup white cheddar cubes
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes
- ½ cup grapes, your favorite color
- ½ cup blueberries
- ¼ cup almonds, your favorite flavor
Garnishes
- orange slice cut into shape of a star for the tree topper
- peel a lemon and using a small cookie cutter cut star shapes for decor
- rosemary twigs to garnish between layers of the tree
- pomegranate arils can be scattered around for decor
Instructions
- Place any condiment bowls on your tray keeping in mind the shape of the tree and how you start larger at the bottom and then slowly get smaller as you progress to the top of the tree.
- Place two bowls of pesto (representing “presents”) at the bottom.
- Use hard breadsticks to be the trunk of the tree.
- Start building the tree "branches" using layers from the ingredients on your list in whatever order you prefer. Remember to start wide and get smaller as you go up the tree.
- Place small bowls of little pickles and olives placed at the end of “branches” in a couple of spots.
- Garnish your tree with the orange star at the top, rosemary twigs in between layers of the branches and lemon stars and pomegranate arils scattered throughout.
Notes
- Place the bowls first so you can build the tree shape around them.
- Start with wider ingredient rows at the bottom and make each row smaller as you move toward the top.
- Use rosemary between layers to make the board look more like tree branches.
- Keep crackers and breadsticks slightly separate from wet ingredients so they stay crisp.
- Make-ahead tip: wash and cut the fruit, cube the cheese, and prep garnishes ahead, then assemble the board shortly before serving.
Nutrition
Recipe FAQ
Wash and cut the fruit, cube the cheese, and prep garnishes ahead, then assemble the board shortly before serving.Make your board in advance and tore perishable items in the fridge until you are ready to serve them.
Leftovers can be stored separately with perishable items refrigerated as needed. Be sure to keep jars and canisters to put things back in, if desired.
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This post was originally published December, 2022.
I love your upright Veggie Christmas Tree recipe and it would be super cute paired with this charcuterie board.
How creative!! It’s those simple little touches that everyone just loves! My family loves everything on this board!
The cutest Christmas board. So festive and fun. Full of the best finger foods.