Looking for a Christmas appetizer that doubles as a gorgeous centerpiece? This charcuterie tree is exactly what your holiday party needs! I started making this Christmas tree charcuterie board a few years ago when I wanted something more impressive than a flat meat and cheese platter, and now it’s become a family tradition. Savory bites of Italian charcuterie spiral around a cone, creating a stunning holiday appetizer display that guests can’t resist. It’s easy to assemble, fun for kids to help build, and keeps everyone happily snacking during pre-dinner mingling. See our video below for a visual how to!
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Why We Love This Recipe
- Fun holiday project for kids.
Getting your kids to eat more than just cookies and candy at holiday parties is no problem with this decorative and impressive appetizer display.
Have them help create it, too! This is an easy and fun activity to do with your kids. - A simple and gorgeous Christmas food display!
This impressive presentation of party food is incredibly simple to make, and a real showstopper. - Entirely adjustable to your preferences.
The great thing about charcuterie boards is that you can use whatever kinds of meats, cheeses, jams, nuts, crackers, or fruit that you like!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions
These are some delicious options for creating a charcuterie Christmas tree, but you can swap them out for anything else that you like.
- Prosciutto – This dry-aged, thin meat is perfect for adding to any charcuterie board. You can find it at most local grocery stores.
- Salami – Have fun with this one! There are so many different options when it comes to salami. Try one with pepper edges, wine-infused, or smoked. You may be able to find different selections of these in the deli section of the grocery store or you can order them online.
- Pepperoni – The kids always love a good pepperoni. If they are too big, fold them into fourths before pinning them to the tree.
- Olives – Buy your favorite olives, just make sure they’re pitted. The deli section of the grocery store may have different selections of olives to choose from. If not, you’ll be able to find them in jars as well.
- Cornichons – Little pickled vegetables are perfect for snacking on. You can use any that you like. Some examples are onions, asparagus, or okra.
- Cherry peppers – If you like things a little spicy, add some pickled peppers to the mix. You can use cherry, pepperoncini, or any other hot peppers.
- Gouda – Cubed cheese is a classic option for these boards. Try regular or smoked gouda.
- Cheddar – A mild cheese, like cheddar, is always great, but you can try adding in some funky options as well. Use star shape cutter to create star cheeses.
🎯 TFN Pro Tip
Looking to make a meat and cheese board? Check out this simple charcuterie board for the best tips.
Tips for Assembling a Charcuterie Christmas Tree
- Use a styrofoam cone for the tree.
Find a cone for your holiday appetizer at a local craft store like Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, or JoAnn’s. If that’s not an option, you can always order one online.
They’re pretty inexpensive as well!
- Use different colored toothpicks.
When pinning the ingredients to the tree, use a variety of colors for the toothpicks.
This gives the effect of Christmas lights, while also adding an extra touch of decoration.
- Place skewers of appetizer bites in an ascending spiral shape.
This is where the wow factor really comes in!
Use the toothpicks to pin the Italian charcuterie ingredients in an ascending spiral shape. It works best to start at the bottom of the cone and work upwards from there.
This effect is jaw-dropping and really takes the presentation to the next level!
- Ensure the ingredients are close together.
When putting the foods on the tree, make sure they are close enough together that very little white from the cone shows through.
This also adds to the overall Christmas tree effect.
Tips for Creating a Spiral of Charcuterie
A great way to add crackers to this dish is to set the Christmas tree tower in the middle of a large serving platter. Then, fan the crackers around the base of the charcuterie tower.
Party-goers will easily be able to choose a cracker and meat or cheese from the tree at the same time.
Here are the steps for creating the display:
- Start by drawing a line from the top of the tree down in a spiral shape to give yourself an anchor point.
- After filling in the top of the tree with ingredients to establish a pattern, work down, filling in the bottom section with another pattern.
- Fold the pepperoni into fourths (fold in half, then in half again), and the salami slices in half. Then, roll them into a rose-like shape. The meat is easy to work with because it’s easy to move once it is pinned on. This way, you can move it as necessary, to fill in any gaps.
- Use a paper towel to clean any excess grease from the meat skewers for the charcuterie tree.
- For a final flourish, cut small pieces of rosemary and use them to fill in gaps.
Serving Suggestions
You can add pretzels or pretzel sticks, pecans, and Marcona almonds at the bottom of the charcuter-tree instead of crackers. Mozzarella balls are also a great option for other cheeses to add. Try other fresh fruits like cranberries, red grapes, green grapes, or strawberries. Use fresh rosemary sprigs or other fresh herbs as ornaments to finish off your Christmas tree charcuterie board. Serve this with non alcoholic Christmas punch.
Recipe FAQs
To make sure your decorated styrofoam appetizer tree doesn’t move around on the platter, you can use a small amount of washable glue to the bottom.
Once it dries it will stick to your platter and when you’re ready to clean up, it will wash away with no problem.
This appetizer board is best made right before serving since all the meats and cheeses need to be refrigerated until you’re ready to eat them.
The great thing is that it’s very simple to put together, that it will take you hardly any time at all!
A great way to add crackers to this dish is to set the Christmas tree tower in the middle of a large serving platter. Then, fan the crackers around the base of the charcuterie tower.
Party-goers will easily be able to choose a cracker and meat or cheese from the tree at the same time.
Remove any leftover food skewers from the charcuterie tree and transfer them to an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
Stored in the refrigerator, they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days. There’s no need to heat them up – Just pull them from the fridge for a quick mini charcuterie lunch!
Freezing the meat, cheese, and other food items after you’ve had them out on the tree is not recommended. Go ahead and keep them chilled in the fridge, and enjoy them over the next couple of days.
More Easy Christmas Recipes To Love…
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Charcuterie Tree
Equipment
- 18-inch round serving platter - or cardboard cake board
- toothpicks - or small appetizer skewers (we used about 300 toothpicks)
- medium styrofoam cone - 18 inches tall
- parchment paper
- 1 small star cookie cutter
- 1 large star cookie cutter
Ingredients
- 7 ounces salami slices
- 4 ounces pepperoni slices
- 12 ounces canned whole black olives drained
- 8 ounces canned whole green olives drained
- 4 slices cheddar cheese for star cut outs
- 1 pint cherry tomatoes
- 8 ounces colby jack cheese cut in cubes
- 8 ounces cheddar cheese cut in cubes
- 4 ounces parmesan cheese for the star topper
- 12 ounces crackers assorted varieties/flavors
- 6-8 sprigs fresh rosemary
Instructions
- Using a pencil, draw a line from the top of the cone, turning the cone as you draw, to create a spiral shape. Alternatively, draw diagonal lines from the top of the cone down to the base.
- Use a small star-shaped cookie cutter to create stars of cheddar cheese from the cheese slices. Use a large star cutter to cut a tree topper from the Parmesan cheese.
- Skewer charcuterie items onto the toothpicks. You can place single ingredients on each, or use a combination of ingredients, such as salami and cheese. Let your creativity shine!
- Attach the skewers of to the lines on the cone, working from the top down. Use pieces of rosemary to fill in any gaps.
Video
Notes
- Mediterranean Charcuterie Tree – Swap the salami and pepperoni for prosciutto and soppressata, add marinated artichoke hearts, sun-dried tomatoes, and cubes of feta cheese for a bright Mediterranean twist.
- Sweet and Savory Charcuterie Tree – Add dried fruits like apricots, figs, and dates along with candied pecans or walnuts. Include sharp white cheddar and creamy brie to complement the sweet bites.
- Spicy Charcuterie Tree – Use spicy soppressata, hot capicola, and pepper jack cheese cubes. Mix in pickled jalapeños, spicy olives, and drizzle with a little hot honey just before serving for an extra kick.
- Looking for a simple meat and cheese board? Check out this simple charcuterie board for the best tips.
- Remove any leftover food skewers from the charcuterie tree and transfer them to an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
- Stored in the refrigerator, they’ll stay fresh for up to 4 days. There’s no need to heat them up – Just pull them from the fridge for a quick mini charcuterie lunch!
- Freezing the meat, cheese, and other food items after you’ve had them out on the tree is not recommended. Go ahead and keep them chilled in the fridge, and enjoy them over the next couple of days.
Nutrition
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Rosella Ryle says
It looks great but I don’t want food on styrofoam. Will have to cover the foam with saran wrap or something clean and sanitary.
Ann says
Cute and easy! I love this idea.
Nikki says
What a fun and festive idea for the Holidays. I’ll need to make 2 for crowd. One on each side of the table.