Festive Holiday Tree Platter

Featured in: Weekend Home Comforts

Create a visually striking holiday tree platter by arranging cheeses, charcuterie, fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables on a large board. Use rosemary sprigs to outline the tree shape and a starfruit or star-shaped cheese slice for the top. Alternate layers of ingredients in rows, incorporating grapes, pomegranate seeds, and nuts for vibrant color and texture. Complete the display with sliced baguette and crackers at the base, simulating the trunk. Chill before serving with cocktail picks to delight guests with this easy and elegant appetizer presentation.

Updated on Thu, 04 Dec 2025 16:34:00 GMT
Colorful and inviting Festive Holiday Tree Appetizer Platter, overflowing with grapes and cheeses. Pin this
Colorful and inviting Festive Holiday Tree Appetizer Platter, overflowing with grapes and cheeses. | terrawhisk.com

A stunning and delicious appetizer platter arranged in the shape of a festive tree, featuring cheeses, charcuterie, fresh fruits, nuts, and savory nibbles& perfect for holiday gatherings.

This festive holiday tree appetizer platter is always the centerpiece of our gatherings and brings joy to every table I serve it on.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 150 g Brie cheese, cut into cubes , 150 g Comté cheese, cubed , 100 g goat cheese, sliced into rounds
  • Charcuterie (optional, omit for vegetarian): 100 g prosciutto, rolled , 100 g saucisson sec, sliced , 100 g smoked turkey breast, sliced
  • Fruits: 1 small bunch of red grapes , 1 small bunch of green grapes , 1 pomegranate, seeds only , 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced , 1 apple, cored and sliced
  • Vegetables: 150 g cherry tomatoes , 1 small cucumber, sliced
  • Nuts & Extras: 50 g walnuts , 50 g roasted almonds , 50 g dried apricots
  • Garnishes & Accompaniments: Fresh rosemary sprigs (for tree branches) , 1 starfruit, sliced (for the top star, or use a star-shaped piece of cheese) , 1 baguette, sliced , Crackers, assorted

Instructions

Step 1:
On a large serving board or platter, arrange fresh rosemary sprigs in a triangle shape to outline the tree.
Step 2:
Starting at the base, alternate rows of cheese cubes, charcuterie, fruits, vegetables, and nuts, creating colorful horizontal lines that fill the tree shape.
Step 3:
Place the starfruit slice or star-shaped cheese at the top of the tree as a decorative star.
Step 4:
Fill gaps with grapes, pomegranate seeds, and nuts for extra color and texture.
Step 5:
Arrange sliced baguette and crackers along the base as the tree trunk.
Step 6:
Chill until ready to serve, and present with small serving forks or cocktail picks.
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This platter has become a favorite family tradition that brings everyone together during the holidays to share stories and laughter around the table.

Required Tools

Large serving board or platter , Small knives for cheese , Cocktail picks or small forks , Star-shaped cutter (optional)

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese) , Tree nuts (walnuts, almonds) , Wheat (baguette, crackers) , Pork (charcuterie if included) . May contain Sulfites (dried fruits, cured meats) . Please check all labels for allergens if serving to guests with allergies.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 275 , Total Fat: 14 g , Carbohydrates: 24 g , Protein: 12 g per serving

This Festive Holiday Tree Appetizer Platter features a beautiful array of festive cheeses, fruits, and meats. Pin this
This Festive Holiday Tree Appetizer Platter features a beautiful array of festive cheeses, fruits, and meats. | terrawhisk.com

Serve chilled and enjoy creating joyful moments with your loved ones around this delightful festive platter.

Recipe FAQs

How do I shape the platter like a holiday tree?

Arrange fresh rosemary sprigs in a triangle on the board to outline the tree shape, then fill inside with rows of cheeses, fruits, charcuterie, nuts, and vegetables.

What can I use as the tree’s star topper?

A slice of starfruit or a star-shaped piece of cheese works perfectly as the decorative star at the top of the platter.

Can I make a vegetarian version?

Yes, simply omit the charcuterie and add extra cheeses, marinated olives, or roasted peppers to maintain variety and flavor.

What are good drink pairings for this platter?

Pair the platter with crisp white wines like Sauvignon Blanc or light reds such as Pinot Noir to complement the flavors.

How can I accommodate gluten-free guests?

Use gluten-free crackers or bread in place of regular baguette and crackers for a safe and enjoyable option.

What nuts are included and can they be substituted?

The platter includes walnuts and roasted almonds, which you can swap for other nuts like pecans if preferred or needed for allergies.

Festive Holiday Tree Platter

A colorful holiday platter arranged as a tree with cheeses, fruits, nuts, and savory bites perfect for gatherings.

Time to prep
25 min
0
Overall time
25 min
Created by Naomi Carter


Skill level Easy

Cuisine French-Inspired

Makes 9 Portions

Dietary notes Vegetarian-friendly

What you need

Cheeses

01 5.3 oz Brie cheese, cut into cubes
02 5.3 oz Comté cheese, cubed
03 3.5 oz goat cheese, sliced into rounds

Charcuterie (optional, omit for vegetarian)

01 3.5 oz prosciutto, rolled
02 3.5 oz saucisson sec, sliced
03 3.5 oz smoked turkey breast, sliced

Fruits

01 1 small bunch red grapes
02 1 small bunch green grapes
03 1 pomegranate, seeds only
04 1 kiwi, peeled and sliced
05 1 apple, cored and sliced

Vegetables

01 5.3 oz cherry tomatoes
02 1 small cucumber, sliced

Nuts & Extras

01 1.8 oz walnuts
02 1.8 oz roasted almonds
03 1.8 oz dried apricots

Garnishes & Accompaniments

01 Fresh rosemary sprigs (for tree branches)
02 1 starfruit, sliced (or star-shaped cheese piece)
03 1 baguette, sliced
04 Crackers, assorted

Directions

Step 01

Outline the tree shape: Arrange fresh rosemary sprigs in a triangular formation on a large serving board to create the outline of the tree.

Step 02

Layer the ingredients: Starting from the base, alternate rows of cheese cubes, charcuterie (if using), fruits, vegetables, and nuts to fill the tree shape with colorful horizontal layers.

Step 03

Add the tree topper: Place the starfruit slice or a star-shaped piece of cheese at the top point of the tree as a decorative star.

Step 04

Fill in gaps: Fill any spaces with grapes, pomegranate seeds, and nuts for added texture and vibrant color.

Step 05

Create the tree trunk: Arrange sliced baguette and crackers along the bottom edge to represent the tree trunk.

Step 06

Chill and serve: Refrigerate the platter until serving time and present with small serving forks or cocktail picks.

Tools needed

  • Large serving board or platter
  • Small knives for cheese
  • Cocktail picks or small forks
  • Star-shaped cutter (optional)

Allergens

Review ingredients for allergies and speak with your healthcare provider if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk, tree nuts, wheat, and pork (if charcuterie included). May contain sulfites. Verify labels for allergen information.

Nutrition details (each serving)

This info is a reference and doesn’t replace advice from your doctor.
  • Energy: 275
  • Lipids: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 24 g
  • Proteins: 12 g