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Cozy Christmas Charcuterie Board with Rosemary Trees

Christmas charcuterie board - featured image
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A festive and easy-to-assemble charcuterie board featuring rosemary trees that look like tiny Christmas trees. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this board comes together in under 30 minutes with simple ingredients and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced
  • 6 ounces salami, sliced (preferably Genoa salami)
  • 4 ounces soppressata, sliced
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar, cubed
  • 6 ounces brie, at room temperature
  • 4 ounces gouda, sliced (smoked gouda recommended)
  • 4 ounces goat cheese, crumbled or in a log
  • 6–8 fresh rosemary sprigs, washed and dried
  • 8 ounces cheddar or gouda, cut into 1-inch cubes (for rosemary tree bases)
  • 1 cup mixed olives (castelvetrano and kalamata)
  • 1 cup dried apricots
  • 1 cup figs, fresh or dried
  • 1 cup roasted almonds or Marcona almonds
  • 1 cup grapes, red or green
  • 1/2 cup honey or fig jam
  • Crackers and breadsticks (e.g., Raincoast Crisps)
  • Fresh cranberries for garnish
  • Pomegranate seeds for garnish
  • Small star-shaped cookie cutters (optional, for cheese stars)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients (5 minutes): Take the brie out of the fridge 30 minutes before you start so it softens. Wash and dry the grapes, rosemary, and cranberries. Cube the cheddar and gouda into 1-inch pieces. Slice the salami and soppressata if they aren’t pre-sliced.
  2. Make the rosemary trees (10 minutes): Trim rosemary sprigs to about 4 inches tall. Gently press the bottom of each sprig into a cheese cube (cheddar or gouda works best) so it stands upright like a tiny tree. If it wobbles, use a toothpick to secure the stem into the cheese. Arrange 4 to 6 trees evenly spaced on the board.
  3. Place the small bowls (2 minutes): Put olives, honey or jam, and any other wet ingredients into small bowls. Position them around the board, leaving space for meats and cheeses.
  4. Add the cheeses (5 minutes): Place the brie wheel in a prominent spot. Arrange cubed cheddar and gouda in small clusters near the rosemary trees. Crumble goat cheese near the brie. Optionally, use a star cookie cutter to cut cheese stars from gouda and tuck them between cubes.
  5. Layer the meats (5 minutes): Fold prosciutto slices into loose ribbons and place in a pile. Fan out salami and soppressata slices in overlapping rows. Place meats on opposite sides of the board for balance.
  6. Fill in with accompaniments (5 minutes): Scatter grapes, dried apricots, figs, and almonds in gaps between cheeses and meats. Sprinkle fresh cranberries and pomegranate seeds around for color. Fill every empty space so the board looks abundant.
  7. Add crackers and breadsticks (3 minutes): Place crackers in small stacks or fan them out near cheeses. Tuck breadsticks along the edges of the board. Optionally, tie breadsticks with kitchen twine for a rustic look.
  8. Final touches (2 minutes): Drizzle honey over brie or goat cheese. Tuck extra rosemary sprigs around edges for greenery. Check the board from all angles to ensure it looks full and festive.

Notes

Don’t overthink the rosemary trees; let them be a little wild for a natural look. Keep cheese at room temperature for best flavor. Pat all fruit and herbs dry to prevent sogginess. Balance flavors and textures: creamy, sharp, tangy, salty, sweet, and crunchy. Assemble no more than 2 hours before serving. For a gluten-free option, use gluten-free crackers. For a nut-free version, replace almonds with roasted chickpeas.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas charcuterie board, rosemary trees, holiday appetizer, cheese board, easy charcuterie, festive platter, no-cook recipe

Find it online: https://fizzlefork.com/cozy-christmas-charcuterie-board-with-rosemary-trees/