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–+ servings
Decorated charcuterie tree standing vertically on a platter with a white background.
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4.94 from 31 votes

Charcuterie Tree

A Charcuterie Tree is a festive Christmas appetizer that everyone will love. Use this tutorial to make a charcuterie Christmas tree!
Prep Time1 hour
Cook Time0 minutes
Total Time1 hour
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Italian, American
Keyword: charcuterie, Italian charcuterie, Christmas tree tower, Christmas appetizer, Christmas recipes, charcuterie tree
Servings: 20
Calories: 325kcal
Author: Renae Gerhardstein

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.

Notes

Recipe Variations:
  • 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.
Storing Instructions:
  • 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

Serving: 8 skewers | Calories: 325kcal | Carbohydrates: 14g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 24g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 0.3g | Cholesterol: 43mg | Sodium: 1164mg | Potassium: 168mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 533IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 295mg | Iron: 1mg