Description
Create a festive and visually stunning Charcuterie Tree perfect for holiday gatherings or special occasions. This no-cook recipe arranges a colorful variety of cheeses, meats, fresh herbs, fruits, and olives on a platter to form a beautiful edible Christmas tree, making it both a delicious and decorative centerpiece.
Ingredients
Scale
Cheeses
- 8 oz cheddar cheese, cubed
- 8 oz pepper jack cheese, cubed
- 8 oz Colby cheese, cubed
- 1 slice Colby Jack cheese, shredded (for star)
- 8 oz mozzarella balls, fresh
Meats
- 4 oz pepperoni, sliced
- 4 oz salami, sliced
Produce
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (quantity as needed for branches and decoration)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 ½ cups seedless grapes, green and/or purple
- ½ cup grapes, green and/or purple
Other
- 1 cup black olives, cured and pitted
- 1 cup green olives, cured and pitted
- ¼ cup pretzel sticks
Instructions
- Prepare the base: Use a large rectangular platter or wooden cutting board as your foundation for assembling the charcuterie tree.
- Create the trunk: Place pretzel sticks vertically at the bottom center of the platter to form the tree’s trunk.
- Anchor the base: Lay a row of fresh rosemary horizontally across the bottom of the board above the pretzels to establish the base layer of the tree.
- Build the triangular shape: Arrange the ingredients in thin, shorter rows that taper upwards, forming a triangle shape resembling a Christmas tree.
- Mix colors strategically: Plan your placement carefully, alternating colors and textures of ingredients for an eye-catching look.
- Add meats: Lay slices of pepperoni evenly in one row for flavor and color contrast.
- Place cheeses: Add a mixed row of pepper jack and Colby cheeses next to the pepperoni row.
- Add olives: Follow with a row of black olives for depth of flavor and dark contrast.
- Incorporate grapes: Add a row of green grapes for brightness and sweetness.
- Form branches: Place another row of fresh rosemary sprigs horizontally to mimic tree branches throughout the assembly.
- Include salami and mozzarella balls: Fold salami slices in half, positioning them with mozzarella balls that prop them up, creating volume and texture.
- Continue layering: Add another rosemary branch row, then place cubed cheddar cheese and green olives together near the top layers.
- Layer more rosemary: Create multiple horizontal rows of rosemary to simulate evergreen branches.
- Add final fruits: Place cherry tomatoes and red grapes for pops of vibrant red color near the top sections.
- Make the star: Use a star-shaped cookie cutter or a paring knife to cut a star from a slice of Colby cheese.
- Top the tree: Place the cheese star at the apex of the tree and tuck in small rosemary sprigs for garnish.
- Serving suggestion: Serve the charcuterie tree with club crackers, pretzels, or bread chips for guests to enjoy.
Notes
- This recipe requires no cooking and can be assembled in about 20 minutes.
- Use fresh, high-quality ingredients for the best flavor and presentation.
- The rosemary acts both as decoration and a fresh herbal note, so be generous with layering it.
- Feel free to customize the cheese and meat selection based on preference or dietary needs.
- Keep the platter refrigerated until ready to serve to maintain freshness.
- For an allergen-friendly version, omit nuts or substitute pretzel sticks with gluten-free alternatives.
