Hi, I’m Clara from Cooking Inspired! Christmas has always been a special time for my family and me. I remember one Christmas Eve, my mom decided to try something new: a Christmas tree-shaped platter filled with all sorts of goodies. It was so fun to assemble, and everyone loved picking at it throughout the night! This year, I’m putting a twist on that tradition with this festive Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie. It’s visually stunning and surprisingly simple to put together, and I promise it will only take about 30 minutes! Get ready to impress your family and friends this season with this delicious and eye-catching centerpiece.
Table of contents
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie
This Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie isn’t just another appetizer; it’s a showstopper that combines flavor and fun. I think you’ll especially love my version because of how quick and easy it is to make, plus it can be completely customized to your taste. The final product is always crowd-pleasing, and serves as an edible decoration! Best of all, clean up is a breeze — no complicated dishes, just a quick wipe-down of the board.
Dazzling Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Drain the brine from all of your olives and other pickled items, if applicable.
- Cut your cheeses into bite sized pieces. I usually aim for relatively uniform cubes.
- Prepare your meats. I tend to stick to smoked beef bacon type meats, slicing into rounds. If one has a larger diameter, I’ll slice those particular rounds in half.
- If you’re using any fresh produce, wash and prepare those items as necessary.
- See “Food Safety” advice in the post for advice on handling your ingredients.
- Remove any packaging or stickers from your styrofoam cone.
- Carefully wrap the entire cone in plastic wrap or food safe cellophane. Make sure that none of the actual styrofoam is exposed, even on the bottom.
- On that note, make sure the bottom is covered thinly and evenly; you want it to be stable!
- Set your wrapped styrofoam on your charcuterie plate.
- If you want to give it a bit of stick to hold it in place, spread some melted cream cheese on the bottom of the wrapped cone; it’ll act as glue.
- Spread your ingredients out on baking sheets, and stick a toothpick through each piece.
- I like to stick the toothpicks in so that they’re through the entire piece, but NOT hanging out on the other side.
- Piece by piece, stick your ingredients to the tree, pressing the toothpick in only far enough to secure it. You want a fair amount of toothpick out, so it’s easy for guests to pull each piece out!
- It’s easiest to start from the bottom and work your way up.
- If you’re doing spirals, I find it easiest to do a bottom ring, then pick a “starter” item, and set a spiral of that one item, all the way up the tree.
- I’ll work out from there, adding rows of ingredients on either side of that spiral. Try to keep your ingredients butted up close to each other, not allowing styrofoam to show through.
- As you get further away from the starter spiral, you’re going to have to end some lines of ingredients early, merge with other lines, and fill in odd areas as you go.
- Don’t worry, no one will notice!
- As you get to the top of the charcuterie tree, start building it upwards, leaving only a small section at the very top open.
- Cut a thick slice of cheese or meat, and use a cookie cutter or a sharp knife to cut a star shape from it.
- Affix the star to the top of the tree with one last toothpick; I put it in from the bottom of the star, hiding the toothpick entirely.
- If you’re not serving it immediately, wrap with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it.
What You’ll Need to Make a Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie
Here’s what you’ll need to create this festive treat:
- 2 lbs Cheese of choice
- 2 lbs smoked beef bacon of choice
- 1 lb Olives
Remember, these amounts can be adjusted based on the size of your board and your personal preferences. Don’t be afraid to mix and match to create your perfect charcuterie masterpiece.
Equipment and Supplies
To bring your Christmas Tree Charcuterie to life, gather these essential tools:
- Styrofoam cone: This forms the base of your tree, giving it shape and height.
- Plastic wrap/cellophane: This ensures that no styrofoam is exposed.
- Serving board: A large, round board works best to display your edible creation.
- Star-shaped cookie cutter or knife: To create the star for the top of the tree.
- Toothpicks: To secure the ingredients to the cone.
- Cutting boards: For prepping your cheeses, meats, and other goodies.
- Baking sheets: To arrange your ingredients for easy access.
- Melted cream cheese (optional): To help secure the cone to the board.
How to Assemble Your Christmas Tree Charcuterie: Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create your very own Christmas Tree Charcuterie:
- Drain the brine from all of your olives and other pickled items, if applicable.
- Cut your cheeses into bite sized pieces. I usually aim for relatively uniform cubes.
- Prepare your meats. I tend to stick to smoked beef bacon type meats, slicing into rounds. If one has a larger diameter, I’ll slice those particular rounds in half.
- If you’re using any fresh produce, wash and prepare those items as necessary.
- See “Food Safety” advice in the post for advice on handling your ingredients.
- Remove any packaging or stickers from your styrofoam cone.
- Carefully wrap the entire cone in plastic wrap or food safe cellophane. Make sure that none of the actual styrofoam is exposed, even on the bottom.
- On that note, make sure the bottom is covered thinly and evenly; you want it to be stable!
- Set your wrapped styrofoam on your charcuterie plate.
- If you want to give it a bit of stick to hold it in place, spread some melted cream cheese on the bottom of the wrapped cone; it’ll act as glue.
- Spread your ingredients out on baking sheets, and stick a toothpick through each piece.
- I like to stick the toothpicks in so that they’re through the entire piece, but NOT hanging out on the other side.
- Piece by piece, stick your ingredients to the tree, pressing the toothpick in only far enough to secure it. You want a fair amount of toothpick out, so it’s easy for guests to pull each piece out!
- It’s easiest to start from the bottom and work your way up.
- If you’re doing spirals, I find it easiest to do a bottom ring, then pick a “starter” item, and set a spiral of that one item, all the way up the tree.
- I’ll work out from there, adding rows of ingredients on either side of that spiral. Try to keep your ingredients butted up close to each other, not allowing styrofoam to show through.
- As you get further away from the starter spiral, you’re going to have to end some lines of ingredients early, merge with other lines, and fill in odd areas as you go.
- Don’t worry, no one will notice!
- As you get to the top of the charcuterie tree, start building it upwards, leaving only a small section at the very top open.
- Cut a thick slice of cheese or meat, and use a cookie cutter or a sharp knife to cut a star shape from it.
- Affix the star to the top of the tree with one last toothpick; I put it in from the bottom of the star, hiding the toothpick entirely.
- If you’re not serving it immediately, wrap with plastic wrap and store in the fridge until you’re ready to serve it.
Ingredient Options for Your Christmas Tree Charcuterie
Want to get creative? Here are some ingredient ideas to make your Christmas Tree Charcuterie truly unique:
- Cheeses: Hard cheeses like cheddar and parmesan, soft cheeses like brie and goat cheese, and even flavored cheeses for an extra kick.
- Meats: Salami, prosciutto, pepperoni, and smoked sausage.
- Fruits: Grapes (different colors), berries (strawberries, raspberries, blueberries), apple slices, and star fruit.
- Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips.
- Olives & Pickled Items: Green olives, black olives, marinated artichoke hearts, and pickles.
- Extras: Nuts, crackers, and rosemary sprigs for decoration.
The Secret to a Stunning Christmas Tree Charcuterie: Creative Display Tips
Arranging your ingredients artfully can take your Christmas Tree Charcuterie to the next level. Try creating spirals of different ingredients, arranging colors in a gradient, or layering different textures for visual interest.
Here are a few themed variations to spark your creativity:
- Kid-Friendly Tree: Focus on mild cheeses, kid-friendly meats like turkey slices, and colorful fruits and veggies.
- Elegant Tree: Use sophisticated cheeses like brie and goat cheese, prosciutto, and elegant touches like rosemary sprigs and edible flowers.
- Spicy Tree: Incorporate spicy cheeses, chorizo, pepperoni, and pickled jalapeños for those who like a little heat.
Substitutions for Dietary Needs and Preferences
| Substitution | Original Ingredient |
|---|---|
| Vegan | Cheese, Meat |
| Vegetarian | Meat |
| Gluten-Free | Crackers |
| Dairy-Free | Cheese |
| Low-Carb/Keto | Crackers, Fruit |
Food Safety First: Keeping Your Charcuterie Safe to Eat
When preparing your charcuterie board, always prioritize food safety. Wash all produce thoroughly before using it. Keep raw meats separate from other ingredients to prevent cross-contamination. Store your charcuterie board in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve it, and don’t leave it out at room temperature for more than two hours. Also, keep the spices from the meat below the kiwis from leeching into the kiwis.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Making Christmas Tree Charcuterie
Here are a few common pitfalls to watch out for:
- Unstable tree: Make sure the cone is securely attached to the board using melted cream cheese or another adhesive.
- Gaps in the arrangement: Fill in any empty spaces with small pieces of cheese, meat, or olives.
- Ingredients sliding off: Use toothpicks effectively to secure each ingredient to the cone.
How to Transport Your Christmas Tree Charcuterie
If you need to transport your Christmas Tree Charcuterie, use a large platter with edges to prevent ingredients from sliding off. Wrap the tree securely with plastic wrap, and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to transport it.
Storage Instructions for Leftover Ingredients
To keep your leftover ingredients fresh, store them individually in airtight containers. Keep cheeses and meats in the refrigerator, and store fruits and vegetables separately to prevent them from spoiling each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this Christmas Tree Charcuterie ahead of time?
Yes, you can assemble it a few hours in advance, but be sure to wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator.
What if I can’t find star fruit? What are some other ideas for the star?
A star-shaped piece of cheese or a cluster of berries would also work well.
How big should my board be?
Choose a board that is large enough to accommodate the base of the styrofoam cone and all of your ingredients.
Can I add meats to make it a full charcuterie board?
Absolutely! Feel free to add any meats you like to make it a more substantial appetizer.
What cheeses work best for this?
A variety of hard and soft cheeses will add flavor and visual appeal.
How do you keep the spices from the meat below the kiwis from leeching into the kiwis?
Place a small piece of parchment paper between the meat and the kiwis to create a barrier.
Conclusion
And there you have it: a dazzling Christmas Tree Shaped Charcuterie that’s as easy to make as it is to devour! I hope you have fun creating this festive centerpiece and sharing it with your loved ones. Now, I’d love to hear from you: What are your favorite charcuterie board ingredients? Share your ideas and photos in the comments below, and don’t hesitate to ask if you have any questions. Happy Holidays from my kitchen to yours!
