Santa’s smile is carved from cheese and cranberries with this recipe. This Christmas charcuterie board turns grazing into an interactive, joyful centerpiece that guests will actually gasp over. It’s part holiday theatre, part delicious snack station. It’s a creamy Brie transformed into jolly Saint Nick, speared on breadsticks and rolled in rosemary-chili for a festive crunch.
It has an abundance of crackers, salami, pretzels, candy canes, and jam for dipping and decorating. This will make for an interesting and attractive platter at a family gathering, a holiday party.
What is a Christmas Charcuterie Board?
A Christmas charcuterie board is a themed arrangement of cheeses, cured meats, crunchy snacks, and condiments styled to celebrate the season. Instead of a random scatter, elements are shaped into recognizable holiday icons, like Santa and little evergreen trees, while still offering the classic components of a charcuterie board. The result is an eye-catching snack that is delicious.
Pro Tips for the Best Christmas Charcuterie Board
- Pair a very creamy Brie/Camembert with firmer, sharp cheeses so guests get different textures and flavors in every bite.
- Take cheeses out 30–60 minutes before serving so flavors bloom and Brie is soft enough to slice and shape easily.
- Use toothpicks and small skewers because they keep the “face” details, trees, and salami rosettes in place while people help themselves.
- Stack crackers, fold salami into cones or rosettes, and stand breadsticks in trees to create depth. A board with height looks more abundant.
- Line the board with parchment under sticky jams or use small bowls for wet items, such as jam or olives, to keep the board tidy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size board do I need?
Choose a large wooden or slate board for the Santa and tree layout. A wider board gives you space to create the face and still arrange trees, meats, and snacks without crowding.
What can I substitute for breadsticks?
Use thin pretzel rods, grissini, or long crisp crackers. You can use anything sturdy enough to skewer a triangle of cheese and stand upright.
How do I keep the board looking full if guests graze for a while?
Keep extra crackers, salami, and small bowls of jam nearby to quickly refill the board. Replace any wilted rosemary sprigs and scatter fresh cranberries to revive the look.
How to Store Leftovers
Charcuterie components are best within 2-3 hours at room temperature, so refrigerate leftovers promptly. Soft cheeses should not sit out for much longer than this for the best texture and safety. You can place leftover cheeses and cured meats in the refrigerator. Consume soft cheeses within 3-5 days and cured meats within 4-7 days.
Ingredients
How to Make the Christmas Charcuterie Board
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Take the full head of Brie and, using a sharp knife, slice off the top ⅔ of the rind horizontally so you reveal the creamy interior to create Santa’s head.
Take the full head of Brie and, using a sharp knife, slice off the top ⅔ of the rind horizontally so you reveal the creamy interior to create Santa’s head.
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Place the mustache piece across the bottom of the Brie, use a cranberry for the nose, and two thin olive slices for the eyes.
From the removed top rind section, carefully cut two small ovals and a rounded strip to form a mustache shape.
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Take the small Camembert and cut it into triangles.
Place the mustache piece across the bottom of the Brie, use a cranberry for the nose, and two thin olive slices for the eyes.
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Mix the dry rosemary and chili flakes in a small bowl.
Take the small Camembert and cut it into triangles.
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Slice the top part of the rid.
Mix the dry rosemary and chili flakes in a small bowl.
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Take a breadstick or pretzel rod and insert it gently into the base of a camembert wedge so the wedge stands upright like a tree on a trunk.
Slice the top part of the rid.
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Roll or dip each wedge into the rosemary–chili mix.
Take a breadstick or pretzel rod and insert it gently into the base of a camembert wedge so the wedge stands upright like a tree on a trunk.
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Wrap salami around pieces of cheese.
Roll or dip each wedge into the rosemary–chili mix.
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Arrange the cheese trees and other decor or snacks in groups near Santa, layering them to create a little forest. Lean some smaller wedges against others for stability and an organic look.
Wrap salami around pieces of cheese.
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Arrange the cheese trees and other decor or snacks in groups near Santa, layering them to create a little forest. Lean some smaller wedges against others for stability and an organic look.
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