Christmas tree charcuterie is the char-cutest way to celebrate the holidays! Here’s my version of an edible Tannenbaum with all your favorite cheese board staples. It makes a great snack spread because it has both sweet and savory items, but you can also serve it as an appetizer (plus, it’s such a festive showpiece!). 

For other Christmas board ideas, check out my Charcuterie Chalet, Oh Christmas Brie, Santa Charcuterie Board, Snowman Cheese Ball, and Charcuterie Wreath.

Christmas Tree Charcuterie Ingredients

Cheese

• Cheddar, cubed
• Colby Jack, cubed
• Havarti, cubed
• Provolone slices

Meat

• Salami
• Calabrese salami  

Produce

• Castelvetrano olives
• Blackberries,
• Raspberries 

Carbs

• Pretzel Sticks
• Chocolate Shortbread Star Cookies (I used the ones from Trader Joe’s)

Garnish

• Rosemary sprigs

How To Make This Christmas Charcuterie

This board is one of my easiest and most approachable boards. Simply line up cubed cheese, salami, and some colorful accoutrements in a tree shape. Add in some festive touches with cheese cutouts and garnishes and you have yourself an impressive holiday spread.

Feel free to copy this one exactly or substitute some of your favorite ingredients.

Here’s my process:

• First, cut shapes out of the provolone slices using snowflake and star cookie cutters.
• Next, prep your salami by making salami folds and piling 3-4 pieces on a decorative toothpick (these pretty toothpicks from Simply Baked are my favorites). You could also consider adding a row of salami rosettes.
• Build your tree starting from the bottom with a row of cheese, then continue up the tree, alternating colors and flavors, making sure each layer is slightly narrower than the last to ensure the triangle tree shape.
• Create a tree trunk using pretzels at the bottom of the tree.
• Garnish the tree with rosemary sprigs to evoke the tree branch feeling, then finish with star-shaped cookies and provolone cut-outs to mimic ornaments.

Pro tip: If you want to leave out briny items like olives, you can always just put a ramekin of those off to the side (or in a star ramekin on the top!) if you prefer.

Video Tutorial: Charcuterie Christmas Tree

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A post shared by Ain’t Too Proud To Meg (@ainttooproudtomeg)

Buy My Christmas Charcuterie TREE Board

Want to make this festive board even easier to whip up? Grab your very own CharcuTREE Map Board (available on Amazon)! So many of you made your own Charcuterie Tree Boards with this post that I added this design to my collection for easy holiday entertaining. 

Christmas Cheese Board Substitutions

Since this board is all about color and shape, there are so many directions you can take. If you feel overwhelmed by choices, I suggest sticking to a simpler color palette or flavor palette while you figure out the ingredients you want to include.

I always advocate for seasonal produce (it just tastes better!) and the ingredients that you and your crew love the most. If no one likes olives, don’t use olives!

• Cubed apple slices turned so that the outside color is showing (make sure to cut them in a way that they’ll sit flat and not wobble). Remember to use this apple trick so they don’t brown.
• Sugared cranberries would be such a delight on the top of this tree. 
• Edamame for some fresh green color. 
• Grapes of any color would be super fun. 
• Colored Oreos turned on their side if you want to add more sweets to the mix. Just make sure they are crowded in by other ingredients so that they don’t roll away. 
• Cherry tomatoes for a fun pop of red (or yellow!). 

Dietary Swaps

If you or any of your guests have dairy and/or gluten intolerances, try some of these swaps! 

Dairy-free cheese:

• Good Planet Sharp Cheddar Cheese Cubes 
• Daiya Smoked Gouda 
• Rebel Cheese Colby Jack 

Gluten-free options:

• Snyder’s Gluten-Free Pretzel Sticks 
• Quinn Gluten Free Pretzel Sticks 
• Walker’s Gluten Free Shortbread Cookies 
• Schär Gluten-Free Chocolate Dipped Cookies 

Christmas Beverage Pairings

Wine and beer are always great choices, especially with cheese, but I love to make festive drinks for the holidays. Here are some of my favorites:

• Snowglobe Cocktails 
• Champagne Cocktails 
• Christmas Punch 
• Pomegranate Spritz

For something sweeter, try my Boozy Hot Chocolate!

What Size of Board Did You Use?

This board is 14inx20in. Find similar wood boards in the SHOP THIS POST below. Remember to always check dimensions before you buy as some of these differ slightly.

Show Me Your Charcuterie Trees

I hope this post inspires you to create Christmas charcuterie trees. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the festive ho-ho-holiday spreads you create from my tips. If you make something inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttooproudtomeg so I can see and share!

And, if you liked this board recipe, please rate and review.