why make this recipe
Making a Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board adds festive cheer to your holiday gatherings. It’s a fun and creative way to present treats, making it visually appealing while offering a variety of flavors. Guests can enjoy different cheeses, fruits, and nuts, making it perfect for everyone to nibble on during the celebrations.
how to make Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board
Ingredients:
- 10 fresh Rosemary sprigs (more or less depending on size)
- 1 celery stalk
- Red, green, and black seedless grapes (clipped into small clusters or remove stems completely if you like)
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar (cut into ¾-inch squares or whatever size you like)
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack (cut the same size as other cheeses)
- 4 ounces mild or medium cheddar cheese (cut into equal size as other cheeses)
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- 1-2 star fruits (sliced)
- 1 cup assorted nuts
- 1 green kiwi fruit (sliced)
Directions:
- Start by making the outline of your tree using the rosemary sprigs. Begin at the top and spread them out wider as you go down. Adjust them as needed when adding other ingredients.
- Place the celery stalk at the bottom as the trunk of the tree, choosing a length that looks good to you. This step is very much about what looks right.
- Begin at the bottom of your “tree”. Create each row narrower than the last. A good way to layer is by starting with a row of cheese, followed by red grapes, another row of cheese, then green grapes, and another row of cheese topped with black grapes. Use kiwi slices in a triangle shape to make the “top” of the tree.
- Add a slice of star fruit at the top as the star. If possible, add additional slices of star fruit randomly around the tree. Spread cranberries throughout the tree and mix in the nuts. If there’s room, the nuts can serve as the “pot” at the bottom of the celery stem, ideally using almonds in a square shape to cover the bottom.
- Your Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board is ready! You can prepare it up to 4 hours before serving. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate until you’re ready to enjoy.
how to serve Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board
Serve your Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board as a beautiful centerpiece for your holiday party. Use cheese knives or toothpicks for easy serving. Encourage guests to take different items from the board to create their perfect bite.
how to store Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board
To store, cover the board with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator. It can be stored for up to 4 hours before serving. However, if you prepare it earlier in the day, it’s best to assemble it just a few hours before guests arrive for the freshest taste.
tips to make Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board
- Choose fresh ingredients for the best flavors and presentation.
- Consider using seasonal fruits and nuts that complement each other.
- Feel free to adjust the ingredients based on your guests’ preferences.
- Use a wooden board or a large plate for a nice display.
variation
You can customize your charcuterie board by adding different cheeses or meats such as salami or prosciutto, depending on your taste or dietary restrictions. Change the fruits to include seasonal favorites like pomegranate seeds or slices of citrus.
FAQs
Can I use other herbs for the tree shape?
Yes, you can use other herbs like parsley or thyme if rosemary isn’t available.
What if I can’t find star fruit?
If you can’t find star fruit, you can use cookie cutters to create star shapes from cheese or other fruits like melon.
How long can the charcuterie board sit out?
It’s best to not let the board sit out for more than 2 hours at room temperature to ensure the freshness of ingredients.
Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
For the base and shape
- 10 sprigs fresh Rosemary sprigs More or less depending on size
- 1 stalk celery Used as the trunk of the tree
Fruits and Nuts
- 1 cup assorted nuts Almonds are preferred for the pot at the bottom
- ½ cup fresh cranberries
- 1-2 star fruits Sliced, for decoration
- 4 ounces red, green, and black seedless grapes Clipped into small clusters
- 1 green kiwi fruit Sliced
Cheeses
- 4 ounces sharp cheddar Cut into ¾-inch squares
- 4 ounces Monterey Jack Cut into the same size as other cheeses
- 4 ounces mild or medium cheddar cheese Cut into equal size as other cheeses
Instructions
Building the Tree
- Start by making the outline of your tree using the rosemary sprigs, beginning at the top and spreading them out wider as you go down.
- Place the celery stalk at the bottom as the trunk of the tree.
- Create each row narrower than the last, starting with cheese, followed by grapes, alternating with another row of cheese, and so on.
- Use kiwi slices in a triangle shape to form the top of the tree.
- Add a slice of star fruit at the top as the star, and add additional slices randomly around the tree.
- Spread cranberries throughout and mix in the nuts for decoration.
- Your Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie Board is ready! Assemble it up to 4 hours before serving.
