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Festive Christmas Charcuterie Wreath Board

christmas charcuterie wreath board - featured image
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A stunning and easy holiday appetizer that comes together in under 20 minutes. This festive wreath-shaped board features cured meats, cheeses, fresh herbs, and accompaniments, perfect for impressing guests at any holiday gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large wooden board or platter (12–16 inches round or rectangular)
  • 6–8 fresh rosemary sprigs
  • Fresh bay leaves (optional)
  • 8 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced
  • 6 ounces salami, thinly sliced (Genoa salami)
  • 4 ounces soppressata or capicola (optional)
  • 8 ounces brie cheese, cut into wedges
  • 6 ounces sharp cheddar, cut into cubes
  • 4 ounces gouda or manchego, sliced into thin wedges
  • 4 ounces goat cheese log, sliced into rounds
  • 1/2 cup cranberry sauce
  • 1/3 cup honey or fig jam
  • 1/4 cup pistachios or candied pecans
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries or cherries
  • 1/4 cup pitted green olives (stuffed with pimento)
  • 1/4 cup cornichons or pickled vegetables
  • 1 box water crackers or plain crackers
  • 1 baguette, sliced into thin rounds and lightly toasted
  • 1 cup pretzel sticks or breadsticks

Instructions

  1. Prepare your board: Start with a clean, dry board. If using a rectangular board, visualize a circle in the center. Place a small bowl (for cranberry sauce or honey) in the center of the board.
  2. Create the wreath base with rosemary: Take fresh rosemary sprigs and arrange them in a circular ring around the bowl, about 2-3 inches from the edge of the board. Overlap the sprigs slightly to create a full, lush green ring. Press them down gently so they stay in place.
  3. Layer the meats: Fold each slice of prosciutto in half, then in half again to create small ribbons. Arrange these folded pieces around the rosemary ring, spacing them evenly. Fold salami slices into quarters and tuck them between the prosciutto.
  4. Add the cheeses: Place the brie wheel or wedges at the bottom of the wreath (the 6 o’clock position). Arrange cheddar cubes in small clusters around the ring. Place gouda slices and goat cheese rounds in between the meat clusters.
  5. Fill in with accompaniments: Spoon the cranberry sauce into the center bowl. Drizzle honey over the brie or place fig jam nearby. Scatter pistachios, dried cranberries, olives, and cornichons in small groups around the wreath.
  6. Add crackers and bread: Arrange crackers in small stacks or fans around the outer edge of the board. Place baguette slices in a neat row. Tuck pretzel sticks vertically into gaps for height and texture.
  7. Final touches: Step back and look at your board. Fill any empty spots with extra rosemary sprigs, a few whole cranberries, or additional crackers. Adjust any items that look uneven.
  8. Serve immediately or refrigerate: This board is best served at room temperature. If making ahead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before serving to let cheeses soften.

Notes

Add crackers and bread just before serving to keep them crisp. For best flavor, let the board sit at room temperature for 20-30 minutes before serving. The rosemary wreath does most of the heavy lifting for the visual effect. Feel free to swap any meat or cheese based on what you have.

Nutrition

Keywords: charcuterie board, holiday appetizer, Christmas wreath, cheese board, easy appetizer, party food, no-cook recipe

Find it online: https://bakebelle.com/festive-christmas-charcuterie-wreath-board-easy-holiday-appetizer/