.svg?q=70&width=384&auto=webp){kind=logo}
A charcuterie board is a fun, stylish, and creative way to supply a wide range of nibbles for party guests and the holidays are the perfect time to create some festive food art.
A Christmas charcuterie board, especially one shaped like a wreath, may seem hard to put together, but don't be intimidated. You have enough to stress out about this time of year. I’m going to give you a step-by-step guide to how to create this fun Christmas appetizer wreath.
What you'll need
I used the Ultimate Charcuterie and Cheese Collection for the heart of this board, with plenty of crackers to stack them with. Dried fruit and mixed nuts pair well with the meats and cheeses and add different textures to the board. Dips like cranberry chutney and sweet clover honey add a burst of flavor when spread with the cheese and crackers. Finally, Royal Riviera Pears complete the wreath and provide a sweet complement to the assortment of savory snacks. Building the charcuterie wreath on rosemary sprigs adds a pop of color and makes the finished product truly look like a wreath!
4 steps to assembling the charcuterie wreath appetizer
Step 1
Step 1
Since this charcuterie platter is meant to look like a holiday wreath, a large round plate works best as the charcuterie tray.
Start assembling the base of the wreath with the greenery. I used rosemary because it bends a bit to make the round wreath shape. Sage or a mix of herbs is also a good alternative. You can create a full circle, or do an asymmetrical look as I did for a more modern presentation. Make sure to save some of the herbs to use as a finishing touch at the end.
Step 2
Step 2
Next, the meat!
I started in the middle and worked my way out on each side, organizing them in groups of three. Leave plenty of space for the rest of the items between them. After placing the meats, I stuck to the same color group, so I added pieces of dried fruit next. I used dried peaches to act as a "floral" detail by bunching them in the middle, and then I added other pieces of dried fruit around the meats. Don't go all the way up the wreath with the meats and dried fruits, though. Leaving some space keeps the greenery visible and allows room for the cheeses.
Step 3
Step 3
Cheese and nut time!
I broke cheese wedges into small bite-sized pieces so they'd be easy to grab and eat, then clumped each type of cheese together. Next I sprinkled some nuts around the wreath, clumping some of them together too.
Step 4
Step 4
Finally, the finishing touches.
I fanned out slices of Royal Riviera Pears at the bottom of the wreath near the peaches, for a sweet complement to the nuts, meats, and cheeses. Then, to give the wreath a full "green" look, I placed the remaining rosemary sprigs and added pink peppercorns. And with a velvet ribbon to top it off, this holiday charcuterie board achieved its official wreath look!
Serve with some honey and cranberry chutney as flavorful complements to the cheese and crackers. And don't forget the wine! This appetizer wreath will keep your guests full and merry at your next holiday party.
AUTHOR
Abby Guido, from Rocklin, California, is one of the creators behind Beijos Events, a party and entertaining blog that covers everything from pretty parties to cocktails and food. She is a mama and wife that loves to entertain, cook, and create new dishes, and enjoys taking a simple dish and making it beautiful.
