Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

Ingredients

• 128 g (4.5 oz)baby brie (or petite camembert)
• 10 ml (2 teaspoons)fig jam
• 75 g (½ cup), choppeddried cranberries
• 15 ml (1 tablespoon), choppedthyme leaves
• 298 g (10.5 oz), at room temperaturegoat’s cheese log
• 454 g (16 oz)assorted antipasto meats, such as salami, coppa or prosciutto
• 142 g (5 oz), sliced into trianglesManchego (or another aged cheese)
• 454 g (16 oz)assorted crackers
• 568 ml (1 pint)cherry tomatoes
• 1English cucumber, sliced
• 1 medium, sliced (or pear)apple
• 1 large, sliced (or orange or mandarins)persimmon
• 120 ml (½ cup)fig jam
• 60 ml (¼ cup)honey
• 60 g (½ cup)Marcona almonds
• 75 g (½ cup)olives
• 227 g (8 oz)red grapes
• 40 g (¼ cup)pomegranate arils

Instructions

1. 1

   Shape the topper

   Slice the baby brie or petite camembert in half horizontally. Use a small star-shaped cutter to cut a star from one half, then spread a very thin layer of the 10 ml of fig jam over the other half. Set the star-cut piece on top and keep the cut-out cheese star to decorate the board. This can be prepared 1–2 days ahead.

2. 2

   Mix the coating

   Chop the 75 g of dried cranberries and 15 ml of thyme leaves, then combine them in a small bowl. Spread the mixture over a plate large enough to hold the goat’s cheese log.

3. 3

   Coat the cheese

   Roll the goat’s cheese log in the cranberry mixture until evenly covered. Room-temperature cheese is easiest to coat. Freeze it for 5 minutes or chill it for 1 hour before slicing; it can be prepared 1–2 days in advance.

4. 4

   Place the topper

   Position the brie or camembert star at the top of the board.

5. 5

   Build the tree

   Arrange the cherry tomatoes below the star, then make successive rows of meat, fruit, Manchego, more meat, sliced cucumber and sliced goat’s cheese. Widen each row as you go to create a tree shape; the arrangement is flexible.

6. 6

   Finish and serve

   Outline the board with fresh rosemary sprigs. Arrange crackers, the remaining fig jam, honey, almonds, olives and more fruit around it, then serve.

What is a Christmas tree charcuterie board?

Charcuterie boards bring together cured meats, cheeses and accompaniments for people to share. This American holiday version arranges those familiar nibbles in widening rows to suggest a Christmas tree, finished with a cheese star.

The combination works because salty meats and cheeses sit alongside sweet fruit, jam and honey, with crackers and vegetables for crunch. The tree shape is a guide rather than a rule, so the layout can suit your board and ingredients.

Nutrition and macros by portion

The nutrition label shows one serving as written: 755 calories, 30g protein, 71g carbs, 42g fat.

The crackers and fruit provide much of the carbohydrate, while the cheeses, cured meats, almonds and honey contribute much of the fat; the cheeses and meats also supply most of the protein. Balance a serving with extra cucumber or tomatoes, or pair it with a simple vegetable dish.

Choosing the cheeses

Soft cheese topper: Baby brie or petite camembert is easy to cut into a star-topped shape. Use a small cutter and handle the cheese gently so the two layers stay together.

Coated goat’s cheese: Room-temperature cheese picks up the chopped cranberry and thyme more readily. Chilling it before slicing helps the coating stay in place.

Getting the rows right

Start at the top: Set the star in place first, then work downwards so there is room to make each row wider than the one above it.

Keep it flexible: The listed order gives the tree its outline, but rows can be adjusted to fit the board. Aim for a recognisable tapered shape rather than perfectly uniform lines.

Slicing and arranging

Even pieces: Slice the cucumber, apple and persimmon into pieces that are easy to pick up. Cut the aged cheese into triangles as directed, and slice the coated goat’s cheese after chilling.

Add contrast: Alternate the meat, fruit, cheeses and vegetables as you build the rows. The different colours and shapes help make the tree pattern clear.

Make-ahead timing

Prep ahead: The cheese star and cranberry-coated goat’s cheese can both be prepared 1–2 days in advance. Keep them chilled until you are ready to assemble the board.

Last-minute assembly: Arrange the fresh produce and other board items closer to serving time. Add the crackers and finishing items around the tree before serving.

What to serve alongside

The board already includes crackers, fruit, vegetables, olives, almonds and sweet accompaniments, so it can be served as a substantial shared appetiser or a casual Christmas Eve meal.

For a larger spread, serve it alongside other dishes that do not compete with the board’s rich cheeses and cured meats. Put small serving utensils near the jam and honey.

Recipe notes & tips

• Use room-temperature goat’s cheese when rolling it in the cranberry and thyme mixture.
• Chill the coated goat’s cheese before slicing to help it hold its shape.
• Use a thin layer of fig jam between the brie or camembert halves so they stay together.
• Cut the star from one half of the cheese before assembling the topper.
• Arrange the rows from the top down, making each one a little wider than the last.
• Keep the crackers and small accompaniments around the tree so they do not obscure its outline.

Variations

• Swap the fruit: Use pear instead of apple, or orange or mandarins instead of persimmon.
• Change the soft cheese: Use petite camembert in place of baby brie for the topper.
• Choose another aged cheese: Cut a different firm, aged cheese into triangles instead of Manchego.
• Mix the meats: Use any combination of salami, coppa and prosciutto for the antipasto rows.
• Adjust the fruit: Arrange different seasonal fruit in the rows while keeping the tree shape.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Overfilling the rows: Leave a clear tapered outline so the tree shape remains visible.
• Using soft goat’s cheese: Chill the coated log before slicing so the pieces hold together.
• Adding too much jam to the topper: Spread only a very thin layer to help the cheese halves meet neatly.
• Cutting the topper carelessly: Use a small star cutter and save the cut-out piece for decoration.
• Arranging crackers over the tree: Keep them around the outside so the rows remain visible.

How to store

Store leftover meats, cheeses and produce in separate airtight containers in the fridge and eat within 2–3 days. Keep crackers separate so they stay crisp; serve the leftovers cold rather than reheating them.

Frequently asked questions