Have your guests munch on this adorable Christmas tree cheese platter while they sip on a Huckleberry Lemonade and mingle. This festive platter comes together in minutes and is a great way to serve guests a little something while you’re finishing up in the kitchen!
Turn your everyday cheese platter into something extra unique and festive this holiday season and present your guests with a beautiful Christmas tree cheese platter instead!
Why You’ll Love This Holiday Appetizer
- Perfect for Christmas parties, family gatherings, or potlucks
- Eye-catching holiday centerpiece
- Easy to assemble, no cooking required
- Customizable for adults, kids, or dietary needs
Ingredients for Cheese Platter
Despite the name of this recipe, this board definitely includes more than just cheese. Here we’ve got an array of colors, textures, and flavors!
- Rosemary: Fresh twigs of rosemary add some nice greenery and added foliage to make this rustic Christmas tree come to life!
- Salami: Traditionally made from cured pork sausage. There are different kinds of salami, but I prefer to use Italian salami.
- Cucumbers: Sliced cucumbers add freshness and a crunchy textural component.
- Crackers: Any crispy crackers you like. Multigrain, whole wheat, gluten-free, rice crackers, Ritz, Saltines, water crackers, herb crackers, you name it.
- Cheese: I love the combination of both smoked Gouda and Havarti cheese. Cut into cubes so they fit nicely into the tree design.
- Grapes: Since we’re adding a green veggie component, let’s add a green juicy fruit element too. Cheese and grapes are always a great pairing.
- Pretzels: Salted pretzel sticks (not the knots) are great for use as the tree trunk.
See the recipe card for the full information on recipe ingredients and quantities.
How to Make a Cheese Platter
Step 1: We’re going to work in layers, starting with the bottom and working our way to the top of the tree. Start by placing the sliced cucumbers in a row near the bottom of the platter. Overlap them as needed.
Step 2: Add a row of smoked Gouda cheese then follow that with the salami and a layer of grapes. To make sure the salami fits and looks frilly, fold each circle in half, then into quarters before placing it onto the board.
Step 4: Continue adding layers, each one shorter than the one before. Add the Havarti, another row of salami, and then more grapes.
Step 5: Finish the top of the tree with a small row of crackers and cut a star out of the salami (or cheese, it’s up to you!), and place it at the very top of the tree. Then, add the pretzel sticks in a row at the bottom for the trunk.
Step 6: Garnish with a few sprigs of Rosemary and serve, or refrigerate for later. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- Choose your board wisely. You can use anything from dark or light wood to a white or marble platter. There is no wrong choice. Just make sure it’s the right size for the size of your tree!
- If you find your board is too large for the tree, fill in the blank spaces with roasted nuts, small chocolates, other cheeses, or even little jars of preserves.
- Be sure to wash and dry your grapes before adding them to the cheese platter.
- Even though you can design your Christmas tree cheese platter the way you want, it’s always nice to keep a pattern. It’s pleasing to the eye that way!
- Serve with toothpicks and napkins for easy grabbing.
Fun Variations: Christmas Tree Cheese Platter Ideas
- Classic Charcuterie Tree – Add olives, prosciutto, and pepperoni.
- Fruit & Cheese Tree – Use grapes, strawberries, and kiwi.
- Kids’ Cheese Platter – Cheddar cubes, mozzarella sticks, goldfish crackers.
- Sweet & Savory Tree – Mix cheese with chocolate, cranberries, caramel popcorn.
- Mini Individual Trees – Create small personal platters for guests.
- Vegan Tree – Use dairy-free cheeses, roasted veggies, nuts, and hummus.
Make Ahead
Assemble the platter earlier in the day or even the night before. Cover with plastic wrap and keep it refrigerated until you’re ready to serve it.
Storage & Leftovers
- Refrigeration: Cover the cheese platter tightly with plastic wrap or transfer leftovers into airtight containers. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.
- Keep crackers separate: If possible, remove crackers and pretzels before storing, as they can become stale or soggy in the fridge.
- Best cheeses for storing: Hard cheeses (like Gouda, Cheddar, or Parmesan) keep best. Soft cheeses may lose their texture after a day or two.
- Refreshing the platter: Before serving leftovers, give the platter a quick refresh—add fresh crackers, nuts, or fruit to bring it back to life.
- Creative ways to use leftovers: Dice leftover cheese and salami for omelets, salads, or pasta dishes. Grapes can be frozen for smoothies or enjoyed as a chilled snack.
Recipe FAQs
Yes! You can assemble the platter up to 2 hours in advance. Keep it covered in plastic wrap and refrigerated until ready to serve.
Add the crackers and pretzels just before serving to keep them crunchy.
Cheddar, Colby Jack, Brie, or pepper jack are great options. Try using a mix of hard and soft cheeses for variety.
Pat them dry with a paper towel before arranging them. Excess moisture can make the platter soggy.
Absolutely! Simply leave out the salami and add extra cheese cubes, roasted nuts, or cherry tomatoes for a festive touch.
A large wooden cutting board or rectangular serving tray works best. For a smaller crowd, you can build a mini version on a dinner plate.
More Holiday Recipes
- Strawberry Jello Cake
- Apple Roses Dessert
- Best Cheesecake Chocolate Brownies
- Salami Cream Cheese Roll Ups
- Chocolate Rugelach Cookies
- Recipe for 1 Hour Cinnamon Rolls
- Bacon Wrapped Filet Mignon in Air Fryer
- Reverse Sear Prime Rib
Did you try this recipe? Please leave us a ⭐ review below!
Thank YOU for YOUR Comment, Share & Recipe Review!
When YOU make this Christmas Cheese Platter Recipe tag us @munchkintimeblog on Instagram, and follow along on Pinterest, Facebook, Tik Tok and YouTube! Thank you for visiting!!!
📖 Recipe
Christmas Cheese Platter
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup salami Italian
- 1 cup English cucumber sliced
- 1 cup crackers of your choice
- ½ cup havarti cheese cubed
- 1 cup gouda cheese smoked, cubed
- 2 cups green grapes
- rosemary for garnish
- pretzels for garnish
Instructions
- Start with the base: On a large serving board, arrange sliced cucumbers in a row to form the bottom layer of your Christmas tree.
- Build the next layer: Add a layer of smoked Gouda cubes above the cucumbers.
- Add salami and grapes: Place a row of folded salami slices, followed by a row of grapes.
- Continue layering: Add Havarti cheese cubes, another layer of salami, and more grapes, shaping it like a Christmas tree as you build upward.
- Top it off: Place crackers at the very top of the tree, then create a star shape using salami slices.
- Add the finishing touches – Place mini pretzels at the base of the tree for the “trunk,” and tuck fresh rosemary sprigs around the platter for a festive, evergreen look.
Video
Notes
- Pick the right board: A dark wood, light wood, marble, or even a white platter all work beautifully. The key is choosing a board that matches the size of your tree design—too small and it looks crowded, too big and it looks sparse.
- Prep your grapes: Always wash and pat grapes dry before adding them to your platter. This keeps moisture from spreading to crackers or cheeses.
- Stick to a pattern: While you can design your cheese tree however you like, alternating layers (cheese, meat, fruit, etc.) creates a balanced and visually stunning presentation.
- Make it easy to serve: Set out toothpicks, small plates, and napkins so guests can grab bites without breaking the tree apart too quickly.
Nutrition
Christmas tree made by Nancy, thank you for sharing your creation, it is beautiful!
Cherryl Ehlenburg
This looks so delicious, my mouth is watering! I may have to make it before Christmas!
Munchkin Time
Thank you Cherryl! Yes please make it, it is super easy and delicious!
Shadi Hasanzadenemati
Love how easy and delicious this recipe is. It's perfect for a gathering or a party.
Munchkin Time
Thank you Shadi! It is super easy to make and perfect for party and gathering.
Amanda
It's so simple, but insanely adorable and perfect for the holidays! I love it!!!
Munchkin Time
Thank you Amanda! I agree it is perfect for the holidays!