If you’re looking to add a sprinkle of festive cheer and a burst of flavor to your holiday spread, the Santa Claus Charcuterie Board Recipe is exactly what you need. This charming and delicious arrangement combines vibrant colors, fresh textures, and savory bites to create a centerpiece that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat. Perfect for parties or cozy family gatherings, this charcuterie board brings together everything from creamy hummus and juicy grapes to playful pepperoni and crunchy cashews, all arranged with holiday spirit in mind.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Assembling a Santa Claus Charcuterie Board Recipe might seem intricate, but the ingredients are refreshingly straightforward and thoughtfully chosen to balance taste, texture, and festive appeal. Each element plays a part, from the creamy mozzarella pearls that mimic Santa’s beard to the bright red bell peppers that shape his iconic hat.
- Large round platter or cutting board: Provides the perfect canvas for your edible artwork.
- Round container of hummus: Acts as the base and face for your Santa, creamy and tasty.
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes: Adds vibrant red color and juicy sweetness for Santa’s nose and hat filling.
- 1/2 cup black olives: Small pieces create Santa’s twinkling eyes with a salty punch.
- 1 to 2 cups mozzarella pearls: Soft and mild, perfect for Santa’s fluffy beard and eyes’ base.
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced): For the bright, bold outline of Santa’s hat.
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni: Adds savory depth and texture, filling the hat with festive flavor.
- 1 large cauliflower floret: Represents the fluffy pom-pom on Santa’s hat with a fresh crunch.
- 1 small cucumber (sliced): Adds cool green tones and refreshing crispness to the arrangement.
- 1 cup green grapes: Sweet and juicy, they balance flavors and brighten the board.
- 1 cup red grapes: Complement the tomatoes and add natural sweetness and color contrast.
- 1/2 cup green olives: Their briny tang adds savory balance and texture variety.
- ½ cup dried cranberries: Sweet-tart bursts that echo holiday flavors perfectly.
- ½ cup cashews: Provide satisfying crunch and richness.
- Crackers: Essential for pairing up all the delicious flavors and adding crisp texture.
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish): Add a fragrant, piney touch that enhances the festive look and scent.
How to Make Santa Claus Charcuterie Board Recipe
Step 1: Set the Face Base
Start by removing the lid from your container of hummus and smooth the surface with a spatula. Place it in the center of your round platter — this will serve as Santa’s face and give you a creamy base to build upon.
Step 2: Craft Santa’s Facial Features
Press a single cherry or grape tomato right on top of the hummus as Santa’s nose. Then, carefully cut two tiny circles from black olives using a small knife or kitchen shears and press these onto two mozzarella pearls to form sparkling eyes. Place the mozzarella pearls gently above the tomato.
Step 3: Create the Beard
Arrange the remaining mozzarella pearls around the bottom and sides of the hummus container to form Santa’s fluffy beard. This soft white border brings Santa’s jolly expression to life while enhancing the creamy texture.
Step 4: Form the Iconic Santa Hat
Use the sliced red bell pepper strips to outline Santa’s hat atop the hummus circle. Inside the hat’s outline, layer the remaining tomatoes mixed with pepperoni slices for a pop of red mixed with savory goodness. Add the cauliflower floret to one side of the hat, giving that traditional fluffy pom-pom detail.
Step 5: Arrange the Surrounding Ingredients
Circle the outer edge of your board with the remaining grapes, black and green olives, cucumber slices, dried cranberries, and cashews. Arranging these with care not only adds color and texture variety but also completes the festive theme, inviting everyone to graze from every angle.
Step 6: Add Festive Garnishes
Tuck sprigs of fresh rosemary around Santa’s face and hat edges. This herbal garnish adds a lovely pine aroma and gives your board an elegant and festive feel.
Step 7: Prepare to Serve
Place a variety of crackers near the board’s edge, offering guests the perfect crispy base for piling on the delicious ingredients.
Step 8: Enjoy the Festivities
Gather around your beautiful creation and watch as the joy and merriment increase with each bite of this delightful and visually stunning Santa Claus Charcuterie Board Recipe!
How to Serve Santa Claus Charcuterie Board Recipe
Garnishes
Fresh rosemary sprigs are a simple but magical finishing touch that aromaticly lift the board’s festive ambiance. You can also add edible flowers or small sprigs of thyme to bring subtle pops of green and texture variety.
Side Dishes
This board pairs wonderfully with a crisp white wine or a sparkling holiday punch. Consider adding a small bowl of honey mustard or a tangy fig jam nearby for dipping and enhancing the flavors even more.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving this charcuterie board on a rustic wooden round for a cozy, farmhouse vibe, or use a mirrored platter to add sparkle and light. For an extra festive twist, surround the board with fairy lights or sprinkle edible gold dust on the cranberries for a shimmering holiday effect.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers, cover the board tightly with plastic wrap or transfer ingredients into airtight containers. Store refrigerated and consume within 2 days for the best freshness, especially for the fresh produce and hummus.
Freezing
Freezing is not recommended for this Santa Claus Charcuterie Board Recipe since many components like fresh vegetables, hummus, and cheeses lose their texture and flavor once frozen.
Reheating
This recipe is best enjoyed fresh and cold. There’s no reheating required or recommended. Simply assemble shortly before your event to enjoy maximum freshness and visual appeal.
FAQs
Can I substitute the hummus with another spread?
Absolutely! You can use cream cheese or a soft cheese dip for a richer taste. Just make sure it holds its shape well as the base of Santa’s face.
What can I use if I don’t have mozzarella pearls?
Small chunks of fresh mozzarella or even mini bocconcini work well. The key is to keep them small and round to mimic the fluffy beard authentically.
How far in advance can I prepare the board?
It’s best to prepare the charcuterie board a few hours ahead and keep it refrigerated. Just finish garnishing with rosemary and crackers right before serving to keep everything fresh and crisp.
Can I add other meats to the board?
Definitely! Adding prosciutto, salami, or even some cooked kielbasa slices can enhance the savory options while keeping the festive look intact.
Is this board suitable for vegetarians?
You can easily make it vegetarian by omitting the pepperoni and including more nuts, olives, and veggies. The flavor and festive style will still shine!
Final Thoughts
This Santa Claus Charcuterie Board Recipe isn’t just a feast for the eyes but a joyful way to bring people together. Whether you’re hosting a large holiday party or a small family gathering, this board is sure to spark conversation, smiles, and cravings. Give it a try and watch your table light up with festive fun and delicious bites!
Print
Santa Claus Charcuterie Board Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Create a festive and visually delightful Santa Claus Charcuterie Board perfect for holiday gatherings. This no-cook appetizer features a charming arrangement of hummus, fresh vegetables, olives, mozzarella pearls, pepperoni, grapes, nuts, and seasonal garnishes to resemble Santa’s face and hat, bringing a joyful and creative touch to your party spread.
Ingredients
Base and Spread
- 1 large round platter or cutting board
- 1 round container hummus
Fresh Produce
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes
- 1/2 cup black olives
- 1 red bell pepper (sliced)
- 1 large cauliflower floret
- 1 small cucumber (sliced)
- 1 cup green grapes
- 1 cup red grapes
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (for garnish)
Dairy and Meat
- 1 to 2 cups mozzarella pearls
- 1 cup sliced pepperoni
Snacks and Nuts
- 1/2 cup green olives
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup cashews
- Crackers (for serving)
Instructions
- Prepare Hummus Base: Remove the lid from the hummus and smooth out the surface carefully. Place the entire container of hummus centered on your large round platter or cutting board to serve as the base for Santa’s face.
- Create Santa’s Face Features: Place one cherry or grape tomato directly on top of the hummus to represent Santa’s nose. Cut two tiny circular shapes from black olives using a small knife or kitchen shears, then press each olive piece onto a mozzarella pearl to form Santa’s eyes. Position these eyes above the tomato nose.
- Arrange Santa’s Beard: Surround the lower portion of the hummus container with the remaining mozzarella pearls, arranging them to mimic Santa’s fluffy beard.
- Construct Santa’s Hat: Outline Santa’s hat on one upper side of the hummus base using the red bell pepper strips. Fill the inside of the hat with the remaining cherry or grape tomatoes and slice of pepperoni. Then place the large cauliflower floret on one side of the hat to represent the pom pom.
- Decorate the Board: Arrange the cucumber slices, black and green olives, red and green grapes, dried cranberries, and cashews creatively around Santa’s face and hat, creating a festive and visually appealing design.
- Add Garnish: Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs around Santa’s face and throughout the platter as a festive garnish to add texture and aroma.
- Serve with Crackers: Place your favorite crackers around or alongside the platter to complement the charcuterie board and provide a crunchy element.
- Enjoy the Festive Spread: Present this delightful Santa Claus Charcuterie Board at your holiday parties to charm guests and bring smiles to the table with its creative and tasty arrangement.
Notes
- This recipe requires no cooking; it is assembled cold and ready to serve immediately.
- Use a round platter or cutting board that is large enough to allow creative arranging of all ingredients.
- Feel free to substitute pepperoni with other cured meats for different flavors.
- Fresh rosemary adds a subtle pine aroma, enhancing the festive feel.
- Keep ingredients chilled before assembling for optimal freshness.
- Customize the colors and ingredients to suit dietary preferences or availability.
