Drain the mozzarella balls on a paper towel lined plate.Cut the cheddar cheeses into ½-¾ inch cubes and set aside.Use a 2-3 inch star cookie cutter to cut a star shape from the slice of havarti cheese.Then, tear the prosciutto into smaller pieces and set it aside. Remove the stems from grapes and wash and dry them if necessary.
Assemble Charcuterie Tree
Now, on a large rectangular or oval serving platter, group the pretzel sticks together vertically in a pile to create the trunk of the Christmas tree.
Then, lay 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary horizontally to create the bottom edge of the Christmas tree.
Add a slightly smaller row of yellow cheddar cheese cubes above the rosemary. As you build the Christmas tree charcuterie board, each row will get a little shorter, creating the triangular tree shape.
Next, arrange the prosciutto pieces in a row on top of the yellow cheddar cheese cubes.
Now, place a row of raspberries above the prosciutto.
Place the drained mozzarella pearls in a row above the prosciutto.
Then, add a row of Kalamata olives.
Now, fold the salami slices in half and in half again. Add the folded salami in a row above the olives.
Add a row of white cheddar cheese cubes.
Arrange the grapes in a row above the white cheese cubes.
Now, use the pecan halves to form the top of the tree, angling them into a triangle.
Place the cheese star at the top of the Christmas tree shape.
Finally, tuck small sprigs of fresh rosemary in and around the tree to add the look of greenery.
Serve the Christmas tree charcuterie board immediately with dips, jam, honey, bread and crackers.
Notes
The number of ingredients and quantity of ingredients may vary depending on the size of your platter. Keep additional ingredients stored in the fridge and replenish them as necessary.
This recipe is very flexible, so you can substitute your favorite cheeses, fruit, vegetables and olives when building the Christmas tree shape.
If you make the board in advance, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator. Add the pretzel sticks just before serving.
We don't recommend leaving the board out at room temperature for more than two hours.
To store, disassemble the tree and store individual ingredients separately in the refrigerator.