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Bring a little magic to your holiday gatherings with this Christmas Charcuterie Board! It’s a festive mix of savory meats, creamy cheeses, and sweet holiday treats that looks as good as it tastes. Easy to assemble and endlessly customizable, this stunning board is the perfect centerpiece for any Christmas party or cozy night in.
5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I surprised my family this year and oh boy were they ever!!! But in an awesome way!! They dug right in and before I even knew it the food had disappeared before my very eyes. The recipe was spot on and exceptionally delicious…” – Michelle
“I’ve made the recipes in here and love it. Can’t wait to put it all together for Christmas this year!” – Laurie
“Nothing is better than a good charcuterie board! I love these ideas to make it more Christmas themed!” – Andrea
The Ultimate Holiday Crowd-Pleaser
‘Tis the season to be… snacking! If you’re like me, you probably don’t want to spend the whole holiday in the kitchen cooking big meals. My family loves to enjoy a big dinner on Christmas Eve, but by Christmas Day, we’re all about grazing on leftovers and tasty appetizers while relaxing. That’s why I absolutely love making a Christmas Charcuterie Board. It’s easy to assemble, looks festive, and has a little something for everyone. Whether we’re visiting, playing games, or just hanging out, it’s the perfect no-fuss option. Plus, it’s a showstopper for holiday parties and gatherings!
Charcuterie boards are a go-to for my parties year-round (see, for example, my Halloween Charcuterie Board and Dessert Charcuterie Board), but there’s something extra special about creating one for Christmas. With the right mix of sweet and savory treats, you can make it feel festive and fun while keeping it simple. Let’s dive into everything you need to know to create the ultimate Christmas Charcuterie Board that will wow your guests and keep everyone happily snacking all day long!
❤️ Kelsey
Table of Contents
- 5 Star Reviews ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
- The Ultimate Holiday Crowd-Pleaser
- New to Making Charcuterie Boards?
- A Brief History of Charcuterie Boards
- What You’ll Need to Make a Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Step by Step Instructions
- Tips for Creating Your Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Christmas Appetizer Ideas
- Christmas Charcuterie Board Recipe
- More Christmas Recipes
New to Making Charcuterie Boards?
Creating a charcuterie board is both an art and a fun way to elevate any gathering. In my post Making a Perfect Charcuterie Board I’ll guide you through the essentials of crafting a beautiful and delicious spread, from selecting the perfect mix of meats and cheeses to adding colorful accompaniments like fruits, nuts, and spreads. Whether you’re hosting a party or enjoying a quiet evening at home, this step-by-step guide will help you impress your guests and indulge in a feast for the senses.
A Brief History of Charcuterie Boards
The word “charcuterie” (pronounced shar-KOO-tuh-ree) comes from France and traditionally refers to the art of preparing cured meats like salami, prosciutto, and sausages. Today, charcuterie boards have evolved to include a wide variety of ingredients, from cheeses and fruits to sweets and dips. My Christmas Charcuterie Board blends the classic savory elements with festive sweets to create a fun and unique twist on tradition.
What You’ll Need to Make a Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Cranberry Salsa with Cream Cheese
- Goat Cheese with Dried Cranberries
- Marinated Mozzarella Balls
- Mozzarella Rollini
- Crackers
- Persian Cucumbers
- Chocolate Covered Pretzels
- Mini Chocolate Star Cookies
- Mini Gingerbread Men Cookies
- Dove Chocolates
- Ferrero Rocher
- English Toffee
- Pomegranate Seeds
- Green Grapes
- Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
Other Christmas Charcuterie Board ideas
- Green Olives
- Cherry Tomatoes
- Cubed Cheddar Cheese
- Pretzel Sticks
- Strawberries
- Chocolate Covered Cherries
- Snowball Cookies
- Candy Cane Cookies
Step by Step Instructions
- Prepare Your Board: Start with a clean board or platter and place three small bowls where you want them to anchor your layout.
- Fill the Bowls: Add your dips and spreads—cream cheese topped with cranberry salsa, goat cheese mixed with dried cranberries, and marinated mozzarella pearls.
- Arrange the Larger Items: Place the cheeses, crackers, and meats around the bowls, spacing out similar colors and textures for a balanced look.
- Add the Finishing Touches: Fill in any gaps with smaller items like chocolates, cookies, fruits, and nuts, then garnish with rosemary sprigs, pomegranate seeds, and grape clusters for a festive touch.
Tips for Creating Your Christmas Charcuterie Board
This recipe can be used as a jumping off point for your own creations! If you want to copy exactly what I did, then I can help you do that. However, if you are wanting to create something all your own, I have some tips for you.
- Pick the Right Base
Charcuterie Boards are all about looking full and abundant. If you have a smaller group, then start off with a smaller board so you can fill it up! The board I used for this recipe was 13×23 inches, but you can use any size depending on your needs. You can also use a large cutting board. - Layer with Variety
Start by placing bowls or small plates for dips and spreads. Then add larger items like cheeses and clusters of crackers. Fill in the gaps with smaller items like fruit, nuts, and chocolates. I like to buy from a grocery store with a bulk section. That way, you can pick lots of different items without having to buy a huge box of each one. - Play with Colors and Textures
Make it vibrant! Alternate colors and textures—soft cheeses next to crunchy crackers, bright fruits near savory meats. Avoid placing similar colors next to each other for a more visually appealing look. - Garnish or Arrange for Festivity
Fresh rosemary sprigs, pomegranate seeds, or even edible glitter can add that extra festive touch. Use cookie cutters to cut slices of cheese in Christmas tree shapes or ornament shape. Arrange the items on your platter to form a Christmas charcuterie wreath. Arrange the items on your board to form a tree shape for a Christmas tree charcuterie board. - Serve and Refill
Bring along any extras to replenish items as they run out. This keeps the board looking full and inviting throughout your event.
Frequently Asked Questions
I would suggest making your board the day you plan to serve it. You can assemble it a few hours in advance and wrap it completely in plastic wrap. Store in the fridge until ready to serve.
I start by adding structure to the board. So, any bowls or small plates get added first!
A mix of soft, semi-soft, and hard cheeses works best. Try brie, goat cheese, cheddar, gouda, or pepper jack for variety. You can also include a festive cranberry cheddar or herbed cheese log for holiday flair.
Use a mix of red and green ingredients like pomegranate seeds, grapes, strawberries, cherry tomatoes, and rosemary sprigs. You can also arrange your ingredients in a wreath or Christmas tree shape for a fun, themed look.
Store meats and cheeses in airtight containers in the fridge for up to 3 days. Keep crackers and cookies in a separate airtight container at room temperature to maintain their crunch.
More Christmas Appetizer Ideas
The holiday season is my favorite time to whip up some fun and festive appetizers! Whether you’re hosting a cozy family gathering or a lively Christmas party, these ideas are perfect for kicking things off with delicious bites everyone will love. I’ve got a mix of savory and sweet options that are sure to impress:
With these tips and ideas, you’re ready to create a stunning Christmas Charcuterie Board that will be the talk of your holiday celebration. Please let us know how yours turn out in the comments below! Happy snacking, and Merry Christmas! 🎄
Christmas Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup cream cheese
- 1/2 cup cranberry salsa, click link for recipe
- 3/4 cup goat cheese
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries
- 8 ounces marinated mozzarella pearls
- 11 ounces Mozzarella Rolloni, I got mine at Trader Joe's, but you can make your own by rolling mozzarella slices and prosciutto together
- 3 baby cucumbers, cut into spears
- 40 crackers, I used a combination of sea salt crackers, cracked wheat crackers, and rosemary fig crackers.
- 1 cup chocolate covered pretzels
- 1 cup mint chocolate star cookies
- 1 cup mini gingerbread men cookies
- 10 Dove dark chocolate and peppermint bites
- 10 Ferrero Rocher chocolates
- 1/2 cup English toffee
Garnishes
- rosemary sprigs
- pomegranate seeds
- green grape clusters
Instructions
- Start by cleaning your board.
- Place your three small bowls where you want them.
- Fill the small bowls. One with a layer of cream cheese and a layer of cranberry salsa, one with goat cheese and dried cranberries mixed together, and one with marinated mozzarella pearls.
- Start placing your larger items around the board. Try not to put things that look alike too close to each other.
- Add the smaller items to fill in the spaces around the larger items.
- Fill in any extra space with rosemary, pomegranate seeds, and grape clusters.
Notes
- Nutrition facts are approximate.
- If I am serving this at a party, I will bring along any remaining items that didn’t make it onto the board. That way if something runs out I can replenish it.
- The board I used for this recipe was 13×23 inches, but you can use any size depending on your needs.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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Really like the long list of options for my board, the mixture of colors and sweet/meat/sour flavor choices and the overall easiness that this makes for me in shopping for my ideal charcuterie board. Thank you. Hb
This is a new charcuterie board for me. I have not thought of most of these items. I will try this. There are several items on it that I know my family would love. I can’t wait to put one of these together for when my family comes to visit.
I surprised my family this year and oh boy were they ever!!! But in an awesome way!! They dug right in and before I even knew it the food had disappeared before my very eyes. The recipe was spot on and exceptionally delicious…..
I’ve made the recipes in here and love it. Can’t wait to put it all together for Christmas this year!
Where do you find the Dove dark chocolate and peppermint candies. I can’t find them.
This is the best idea! Love that it has sweet and savory on the board!
Nothing is better than a good charcuterie board! I love these ideas to make it more Christmas themed!
The board looks fabulous! Thanks for all the great tips! I can’t wait to make mine.