8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
8 ounces pepper jack or Havarti cheese, cut into 1 inch cubes
5 ounces turkey pepperoni slices, folded into quarters
5 ounces turkey salami slices, folded into fans
1 cup green seedless grapes
1 cup fresh raspberries or red grapes
1/2 cup pitted green olives, patted dry
12 pretzel sticks
1 starfruit, sliced into a star shape, or 1 thick slice of cheese cut with a star cutter
1 bunch fresh rosemary sprigs
1 cup assorted crackers, served on the side
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Base and Trunk: Choose a large rectangular wooden board or a flat platter. At the bottom center of the board, place the pretzel sticks in a vertical bundle to create the trunk of the tree. This provides the foundation for your design and helps you center the rest of the ingredients as you build upward.
Step 2: Create the Bottom Layer: Start building the widest part of the tree just above the pretzel trunk. Place a straight horizontal row of cheddar cheese cubes. Make sure the row is wide enough to form the base of a large triangle. Tuck small sprigs of fresh rosemary underneath the cheese so the green needles peek out, mimicking the look of pine branches.
Step 3: Layer the Meats and Fruits: Add a second row above the cheddar using the folded turkey pepperoni. Make this row slightly shorter than the first to begin the tapering effect. Follow this with a row of green grapes, then a row of pepper jack cheese. Continue layering with the turkey salami, olives, and raspberries, ensuring each row gets progressively narrower as you move toward the top of the board.
Step 4: Add Decorative Greenery: Once the triangular shape is complete, tuck additional rosemary sprigs between every other row. This adds texture and depth to the tree, making it look more realistic. The aroma of the fresh herbs will also enhance the overall sensory experience for your guests as they approach the table.
Step 5: Crown the Tree: Place your starfruit slice or cheese star at the very top of the triangular arrangement. This final touch completes the Christmas tree look. Arrange your favorite crackers in small bowls or decorative piles around the base of the board, but keep them separate from the tree itself to maintain the clean shape.
