Easy Christmas Charcuterie Board with Rosemary Trees
A festive and easy charcuterie board featuring rosemary sprigs stuck directly into brie to create tiny Christmas trees. This quick, no-cook appetizer is perfect for holiday parties and is sure to delight guests with its clever presentation and delicious flavors.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
- Yield: 8 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 8 oz brie cheese wheel (double or triple cream recommended)
- 4 oz goat cheese log
- 4 oz aged cheddar, sliced
- 4 oz gouda, sliced (smoked gouda preferred)
- 4 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
- 4 oz salami, sliced (genoa or hard salami)
- 4 oz soppressata or pepperoni
- 1 cup green olives (castelvetrano preferred)
- 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, or pecans, roasted and salted)
- 1/2 cup fig jam or honey
- 1 cup dried apricots or dates
- 1 cup fresh grapes (red or green)
- 1/2 cup fresh cranberries (optional)
- 6–8 fresh rosemary sprigs (about 6 inches long each)
- Optional: fresh thyme or sage sprigs
- 1 box crackers (water crackers, buttery rounds, or rosemary-infused)
- 1 baguette, sliced and lightly toasted (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the rosemary trees: Rinse the rosemary sprigs and pat them completely dry. Trim the bottom inch of each sprig so there’s a clean stem about 1-2 inches long. Set aside on a paper towel.
- Prepare the cheese: Take the brie out of the refrigerator about 20 minutes before assembling to soften. Cut the brie wheel in half horizontally if very thick. Place the brie wheel on the board. Slice the cheddar and gouda into thin triangles or rectangles (about 1/4 inch thick). Slice the goat cheese log into rounds about 1/2 inch thick.
- Place the rosemary trees: Gently push the bare stem of a rosemary sprig into the top of the brie wheel, about 1/2 inch deep, so it stands upright. Repeat with 2-3 more sprigs, spacing them evenly. For the goat cheese, push smaller sprigs directly into the rounds.
- Arrange the meats: Fold the prosciutto slices into loose ribbons or waves and place in clusters around the board. Fold the salami slices in half, then in half again, and arrange in a fan pattern. Place the soppressata or pepperoni in small piles. Spread the meats out so there’s something in every quadrant.
- Add the accompaniments: Spoon the fig jam into a small bowl and place on the board. Fill another small bowl with olives and place nearby. Scatter the nuts, dried apricots, and fresh grapes in small clusters around the board, filling in the gaps. Sprinkle fresh cranberries around for pops of red color.
- Add the crackers and bread: Arrange the crackers in small stacks or fans around the edges of the board. If using a baguette, place the slices in a row or fan pattern. Put crackers near each cheese type.
- Final touches: Step back and look at your board. Fill any empty spaces with extra nuts, grapes, or small clusters of rosemary leaves. Drizzle a little honey over the brie if desired. Add a few whole rosemary sprigs around the edges for garnish.
Notes
Let the cheese sit at room temperature for at least 20 minutes before assembling to make it easier to insert the rosemary sprigs. If the rosemary trees start to lean after an hour, insert a toothpick into the cheese first, then push the rosemary stem onto the toothpick for extra support. For a vegetarian version, skip the meats and add more cheese, nuts, and roasted vegetables.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/8 of the board
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 12
- Sodium: 700
- Fat: 28
- Saturated Fat: 12
- Carbohydrates: 22
- Fiber: 4
- Protein: 17
Keywords: Christmas charcuterie board, holiday appetizer, rosemary trees, easy charcuterie, festive cheese board, no-cook appetizer, party platter