Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board: 15 Easy Ways to Build One

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A Christmas tree charcuterie board is a regular meat and cheese board arranged in rows shaped like a tree, with a pretzel trunk and a star cut from cheese on top. It's one of the most popular holiday boards on Pinterest because it looks impressive but takes about 20 minutes, and everything lies flat on the board, so there's nothing to tip over.

Below is the step-by-step method for the classic tree, then 15 ways to build one: cheese and salami, caprese, fruit, veggie, cracker, pinwheel, pull-apart pizza bread, mini trees for each guest and a dessert tree. Every tree lists exactly what's on it, with amounts and how many it serves.

Meat and cheese Christmas trees

1. Classic Christmas Tree Charcuterie Board

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The tree most people picture: rows of grapes, salami, cheddar, olives, tomatoes and mozzarella with a cheese star. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 12 oz green grapes, off the stem
• 6 oz sliced hard salami (about 25 slices)
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 20 pitted green olives
• 9 fresh mozzarella pearls, drained
• 14 cherry tomatoes
• 2 yellow cheddar cubes (cut from a small block)
• 1 slice yellow cheddar and a 2 1/2-inch star cookie cutter
• 2 pretzel rods (the trunk)
• 14 round crackers

How to make it

1. Trunk. Lay the two pretzel rods side by side at the bottom center of the board.
2. Row 1 (10 inches wide). Make a thick row of green grapes just above the trunk.
3. Row 2 (8 1/2 inches). Fold about 16 salami slices in half and overlap them in a thick row.
4. Rows 3 to 7. Make shorter rows of white cheddar cubes (7 inches), green olives (5 1/2 inches), cherry tomatoes (5 inches) and mozzarella pearls (4 1/2 inches). Fold the rest of the salami in half and then in half again, and stand them in a tight row above the pearls (4 inches).
5. Top. Finish with 3 white cheddar cubes, then the 2 yellow cheddar cubes at the point, cut a star from the yellow cheddar slice and set it on top.
6. Crackers. Fan the crackers along both long sides of the board, outside the tree.
7. Make ahead. Build everything except the crackers up to 3 hours ahead, cover and refrigerate.

My recommended tip: Keep most of your crackers plain, like water crackers or a sliced baguette. Plain crackers let the cheese be the star, and one or two flavored ones are plenty.

Where to get it

Fresh mozzarella pearls are in the specialty cheese case; star cookie cutters are sold in baking aisles in December.

2. Cheese Cube Tree

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A tree made entirely of cheese cubes in three colors, with grapes as the garland. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 8 oz yellow cheddar (a block), cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 25 red grapes, off the stem
• 1 slice yellow cheddar (the star)
• 1 small block of cheddar, about 1 x 2 inches (the trunk)
• 24 round crackers

How to make it

1. Set the small cheddar block at the bottom center as the trunk.
2. Build 12 rows of cubes, each a little shorter than the one below, in repeating bands of white cheddar, pepper jack and yellow cheddar.
3. Lay a diagonal line of red grapes across the tree, from the lower left to the upper right, as a garland.
4. Cut a star from the cheddar slice for the top and fan the crackers along both sides.

Where to get it

Cut the cheese cubes yourself from blocks; it costs less than pre-cubed cheese.

3. Salami Rose Tree

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Rows of salami roses with mozzarella and grapes in between. It looks fancy but each rose takes about 30 seconds. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 6 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), for 6 roses
• 22 fresh mozzarella pearls, drained
• 12 oz green grapes, off the stem
• 2 pretzel rods (the trunk)
• 1 slice yellow cheddar (the star)
• 20 round crackers

How to make it

1. Make a rose. Fold a wine glass's rim with 4 salami slices: hang each slice over the rim so it overlaps the one before it by half, going around the glass. Flip the glass upside down onto the board and lift it off; the slices fold into a rose about 2 inches across.
2. Repeat to make 6 roses.
3. Build the tree. Lay the trunk, then a row of grapes, then 3 salami roses in a row, then mozzarella pearls, then 2 roses, then grapes, then 1 rose at the top.
4. Finish. Add the cheese star and fan the crackers along the sides.

Pro tip: Give every cheese its own knife so strong flavors don't rub off on the milder cheeses.

Where to get it

Use thin deli salami for roses; thick slices are too stiff to fold.

4. Antipasto Tree

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An Italian tree with prosciutto, salami, provolone, artichokes, roasted peppers and olives. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 3 oz prosciutto (9 slices), each rolled up
• 3 oz sliced hard salami (10 slices)
• 7 oz sliced provolone (about 10 slices), laid in an overlapping row
• 1 jar (6 oz) marinated artichoke hearts, drained
• 1 jar (12 oz) roasted red peppers, drained and cut into strips
• about 45 green and black olives
• 2 breadsticks (the trunk)
• 1 slice provolone (the star)
• 25 round butter crackers
• 12 dark fruit-and-nut crisps

How to make it

1. Lay 2 breadsticks side by side as the trunk.
2. Build rows from the bottom: olives, overlapping provolone slices, rolled prosciutto, artichoke hearts, roasted pepper strips, a short row of olives and overlapping salami slices at the top.
3. Pat the artichokes and peppers dry with paper towels first so they don't make the board wet.
4. Cut a star from the provolone slice and fan the crackers and crisps along the sides.

Why it works: Mild provolone softens salty prosciutto, and tangy artichoke hearts lighten up every branch.

Where to get it

Marinated artichokes and roasted red peppers come in jars in the olive and pickle aisle.

5. Pinwheel Tree

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Turkey and cheese tortilla pinwheels stacked in a tree shape with a spinach-green filling. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 3 large spinach tortillas (10 inch)
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 6 oz thin-sliced deli turkey
• 4 oz sliced provolone (about 6 slices)
• 1 large handful baby spinach
• 3 pretzel rods (the trunk)
• 1 slice yellow cheddar (the star)
• 4 cherry tomatoes, halved (7 halves are the ornaments)
• 7 blueberries (the ornaments)

How to make it

1. Roll. Spread each tortilla with a third of the cream cheese, layer turkey, provolone and spinach, and roll it up tightly.
2. Chill. Wrap each roll in plastic and chill at least 1 hour so it slices neatly.
3. Slice. Trim the ends and cut each roll into 7 slices about 1 inch thick (21 pinwheels).
4. Build. Lay the trunk, then rows of pinwheels cut side up: 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 and 1, 21 total.
5. Decorate. Tuck the ornaments into the gaps between the rows, switching between tomato and blueberry each time: 1 tomato half under the top pinwheel, then 2 blueberries, 3 tomato halves, 5 blueberries and 3 tomato halves along the bottom (7 tomato halves and 7 blueberries), evenly spaced left to right and add the cheese star.

Where to get it

Spinach tortillas are with the tortillas in the bread aisle; plain flour tortillas work too.

Fruit, veggie and caprese trees

6. Caprese Tree

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Cherry tomatoes, mozzarella and basil in a red, white and green tree with balsamic glaze. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 25 cherry tomatoes
• 28 small fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine), drained
• 30 large fresh basil leaves, plus 1 small sprig
• 2 tbsp balsamic glaze
• 1 tbsp olive oil, salt and pepper
• 2 breadsticks (the trunk)
• 1 slice white cheddar (the star)

How to make it

1. Lay the breadsticks as the trunk.
2. Lay a bed of basil leaves in a tree shape, with the leaf tips sticking out at the edges. On top, build alternating rows from the bottom up: 9 mozzarella balls, 9 tomatoes, 8 mozzarella, 7 tomatoes, 6 mozzarella, 6 tomatoes, 4 mozzarella, 3 tomatoes and 1 mozzarella ball at the top. Tuck a few more basil leaves between the rows so every bite gets some.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and balsamic glaze and sprinkle with salt and pepper right before serving.
4. Add the cheese star.

Where to get it

Fresh basil is in the produce section with the packaged herbs; balsamic glaze is near the vinegars.

7. Fruit Christmas Tree

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Green grapes, kiwi, strawberries and pomegranate in a bright fruit tree. Great for brunch or kids. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 lb green grapes, off the stem
• 1 kiwi, peeled and cut into 10 half-moons
• 7 strawberries, halved
• seeds from 1/4 pomegranate
• 11 blueberries
• 1 slice fresh pineapple, cut into a star with a cookie cutter
• 2 pretzel rods (the trunk)
• 1 cup vanilla Greek yogurt, in a small bowl, for dipping

How to make it

1. Lay the trunk and fill the bottom rows with green grapes and kiwi half-moons.
2. Make 3 diagonal garlands of strawberry halves (13 halves) across the tree.
3. Scatter pomegranate seeds and blueberries over the green as ornaments.
4. Set the pineapple star at the top and the yogurt bowl beside the tree.
5. Cut the kiwi and strawberries no more than 2 hours ahead and keep cold.

Where to get it

Pre-cut pineapple in the produce section is easy to cut a star from.

8. Veggie Tree with Ranch

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Broccoli, snap peas and cucumbers make the tree, with cherry tomato ornaments and a ranch dip. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 large crown broccoli, cut into small florets
• 15 sugar snap peas
• 1/3 English cucumber, sliced into 16 rounds
• 9 red and 9 yellow cherry tomatoes
• 1 yellow bell pepper (cut a star from one side)
• 3 celery ribs, cut into 4 short sticks and 2 long ones (the trunk)
• 1 1/2 cups ranch dip, in a bowl

How to make it

1. Stand the 4 short celery sticks side by side as the trunk and lay the 2 long ones across the bottom as the base.
2. Fill the tree shape with broccoli florets packed tightly, then lay rows of snap peas and cucumber rounds across it as garlands.
3. Tuck the red and yellow cherry tomatoes in as ornaments.
4. Cut a star from the bell pepper with a knife or cookie cutter for the top, and set the ranch bowl beside the tree.

Where to get it

Pre-cut broccoli florets in the produce section save time.

9. Cheese and Cracker Tree

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Overlapping crackers and cheese slices in a simple, budget-friendly tree. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 23 round crackers
• 6 slices cheddar (about 4 oz), cut into 21 squares about the size of the crackers
• 3 oz sliced pepperoni (about 25 slices)
• 12 oz green grapes
• 2 pretzel rods (the trunk)
• 1 slice yellow cheddar (the star)

How to make it

1. Lay the trunk.
2. Make shingled rows of alternating cracker, cheddar square and pepperoni, overlapping each by half, getting shorter toward the top.
3. Fill the edges of the tree with green grapes so the outline is green.
4. Add the cheese star.

My tip: I pick up crackers and the small extras, like pickles and pretzels, at Walmart.

Where to get it

Store-brand crackers and sliced cheese keep this board inexpensive.

Baked, mini and dessert trees

10. Pull-Apart Pizza Bread Tree

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Pizza dough balls stuffed with mozzarella, baked in a tree shape and served with warm marinara. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 sheet pan and 1 board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 lb refrigerated pizza dough
• 26 mozzarella cubes (about 6 oz)
• 2 tbsp melted butter mixed with 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tbsp grated Parmesan
• 1 cup marinara sauce, warmed, in a bowl
• 1 slice provolone (the star)

How to make it

1. Heat the oven to 400°F and line a sheet pan with parchment.
2. Make the balls. Cut the dough into 26 pieces. Flatten each piece, wrap it around one mozzarella cube and pinch it closed. Roll into a smooth ball.
3. Shape the tree. Arrange the balls seam side down, touching, in rows of 6, 5, 4, 4, 3, 2 and 1, with 1 ball below the bottom row as the trunk.
4. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until golden brown and the dough is cooked through between the balls. Brush with the garlic butter and sprinkle with Parmesan.
5. Serve. Slide the tree onto the board with the parchment, add a provolone star and set the warm marinara beside it.

Where to get it

Refrigerated pizza dough is in the dairy case or the bakery section.

11. Cheese Ball Tree

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A flat, tree-shaped cheese log coated in chopped parsley, with pepper ornaments. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 12 x 18 inches
• For the cheese log: 16 oz cream cheese (softened), 8 oz shredded sharp cheddar, 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 2 bunches flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped (for the coating)
• 1/4 red bell pepper and 1/4 yellow bell pepper, finely diced (the ornaments)
• 1 pretzel rod, cut in half (the trunk)
• 24 round crackers

How to make it

1. Mix. Stir the cream cheese, cheddar and garlic powder until smooth. Chill at least 1 hour, until firm enough to shape.
2. Shape. Spoon it onto plastic wrap and use the wrap to press it into a flat triangle about 9 inches tall, 7 inches wide at the base and 1 inch thick.
3. Coat. Unwrap it onto the board and press the chopped parsley over the top and sides. Here the parsley is the green of the tree.
4. Decorate. Press the diced red and yellow pepper on as ornaments and set the pretzel trunk at the base.
5. Chill at least 1 hour, then fan the crackers around it.

Where to get it

Flat-leaf parsley is in the produce section; chop it finely so it sticks to the cheese.

12. Kids' Snack Tree

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A no-cook tree of pretzels, cheese cubes, grapes and crackers that kids can build themselves. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 18 mini pretzel twists
• 6 oz cheddar (a block), cut into 3/4-inch cubes
• 12 oz green grapes, off the stem
• 14 bite-size square cheese crackers
• 1 oz mini marshmallows
• 2 pretzel rods (the trunk)
• 1 slice yellow cheddar (the star)

How to make it

1. Lay the pretzel rods as the trunk.
2. Build rows from the bottom: green grapes, pretzel twists, cheddar cubes, green grapes, square cheese crackers and cheddar cubes at the top, each row a little shorter.
3. Sprinkle mini marshmallows along the rows like snow.
4. Let kids cut the cheese star with a small cookie cutter and set it on top.

Where to get it

Everything is in the snack, cheese and produce aisles; bite-size square cheese crackers are next to the regular crackers.

13. Mini Christmas Trees Board

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Four little trees side by side on one board, one for each guest, great for a kids' table. Serves 4.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular wooden board, about 12 x 16 inches
• 16 green grapes (4 per tree)
• 16 folded salami slices (about 4 oz, 4 per tree)
• 12 white cheddar cubes (about 3 oz, 3 per tree)
• 4 cherry tomatoes
• 4 short pretzel sticks (the trunks)
• 4 small cheese stars, cut from 1 slice yellow cheddar with a 1-inch cutter

How to make it

1. Lay 4 pretzel sticks on the board as trunks, in 2 rows of 2 with space between, so each tree has room.
2. Build 4 rows from the bottom up: 4 grapes, 4 folded salami slices in 2 overlapping pairs, 3 cheddar cubes, then 1 cherry tomato at the top.
3. Top each tree with a cheese star.
4. Cover and chill until serving. For more guests, use a bigger board and add one tree per person with the same amounts.

Where to get it

A 1-inch star cutter (often sold in sets) makes stars small enough for mini trees.

14. Christmas Tree Dessert Board

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Brownie bites, green candies, cookies and strawberries in a sweet tree. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 16 brownie bites
• 12 green-frosted sugar cookies (about 2 1/2 inches)
• 4 oz green candy-coated chocolate pieces
• 10 strawberries
• 1 star-shaped sugar cookie (the star)
• 2 chocolate-covered pretzel rods (the trunk)
• 1 oz mini marshmallows

How to make it

1. Lay the chocolate pretzel rods as the trunk.
2. Build rows from the bottom: brownie bites, green cookies, green candies, strawberries, green cookies and brownie bites at the top.
3. Scatter mini marshmallows along the rows like snow.
4. Set the star cookie at the top.

Where to get it

Green-frosted sugar cookies are in the bakery in December, or frost plain sugar cookies with green canned frosting.

15. Christmas Morning Brunch Tree

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Mini pancakes, berries and bacon in a tree shape for Christmas morning. Serves 6.

What's on the board

• 1 rectangular board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 21 mini pancakes (frozen, warmed, or homemade)
• 7 raspberries
• 16 blueberries
• 5 strips cooked bacon (4 whole for the garlands, 1 halved for the trunk)
• 1/2 banana, cut into 7 slices
• 1/4 cup maple syrup, in a small bowl
• 1 star cut from a pancake (the star)

How to make it

1. Lay 2 bacon halves as the trunk.
2. Build rows of 20 mini pancakes, 6, 5, 4, 3 and 2, overlapping slightly.
3. Lay the 4 whole bacon strips in diagonal garlands across the tree and tuck berries and banana slices between the pancakes as ornaments.
4. Cut a star from one pancake with a cookie cutter for the top and set the syrup beside the tree. Serve warm.

Why it works: Bacon and maple syrup on mini pancakes is a classic sweet and salty combo.

Where to get it

Frozen mini pancakes are in the freezer breakfast aisle.

How to make a Christmas tree charcuterie board

1. Choose a long board. A rectangular board about 14 x 20 inches fits a tree about 14 inches tall and 10 inches wide at the base.
2. Lay the trunk first. Put 1 or 2 pretzel rods (or a block of cheese) at the bottom center.
3. Build the widest row. Just above the trunk, make a row about 10 inches across.
4. Work upward. Make each new row about 1 1/2 inches shorter on each end, so the sides slant in to a point. Six or seven rows is plenty.
5. Alternate colors. Put a red or white row between green rows so the tree reads clearly.
6. Add the star. Cut a star from a slice of yellow cheddar with a 2 to 2 1/2-inch cookie cutter and set it at the top.
7. Keep extras outside the tree (crackers along the sides) so the shape stays sharp.

More holiday boards: see our 20 Christmas charcuterie board ideas.

Christmas tree charcuterie board FAQ

How do you make a Christmas tree charcuterie board?

Lay a pretzel-rod trunk at the bottom of a long board, then build rows of food above it, making each row about 1 1/2 inches shorter on each end so the sides slant to a point. Alternate green rows (grapes, olives) with red and white rows (salami, cheese, tomatoes), and top it with a star cut from a cheese slice.

What do you put on a Christmas tree charcuterie board?

Green grapes, green olives and broccoli make the green rows; salami, cherry tomatoes and strawberries add red; cheddar cubes and mozzarella pearls add white. Pretzel rods or breadsticks make the trunk, and a cheese or cookie star goes on top.

How far ahead can I make a Christmas tree charcuterie board?

Build the meat, cheese and grape rows up to 3 hours ahead, cover tightly and refrigerate. Add crackers and cut fruit like strawberries and kiwi right before serving.

How long can a charcuterie board sit out?

USDA food-safety guidance says perishable food like meat and cheese shouldn't sit at room temperature for more than 2 hours, or 1 hour if it's above 90°F (USDA FSIS).

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