Santa Cheese & Charcuterie Platter

• Prep time15 minutes
• Chill time2–3 hours
• Servings12
• DifficultyEasy

Bring holiday cheer to your table with this Santa Cheese & Charcuterie Platter—a festive centerpiece that doubles as a delicious appetizer! Made with cubes of cheddar, slices of salami, creamy mozzarella, and fun garnishes like a cherry tomato nose and olive eyes, this playful spread is perfect for grazing at Christmas parties. It’s easy to assemble, serves a crowd, and adds instant charm to your holiday board.

Ingredients (serves 12–16)

• 10 oz mild white cheddar, cubed (beard/base)
• 8 oz Monterey Jack, cubed
• 6 oz mozzarella slices (hat brim & mustache)
• 8 oz yellow cheddar, cubed (side accents)
• 10 oz salami or pepperoni, sliced (hat & cheeks)
• 1 cherry tomato (nose) + 2 black olives (eyes)
• Fresh rosemary/thyme sprigs for trim
• Crackers & breadsticks

Directions

1. Board: Use a large charcuterie board. Outline a loose oval for the face.
2. Beard/base: Fill lower half with white-cheddar cubes.
3. Face: Add a small oval of Jack/cheddar cubes in the center.
4. Hat: Over the top half, overlap salami slices as a cap; lay mozzarella slices as the brim and shape a mustache.
5. Features: Add olive eyes and the cherry-tomato nose. Tuck herb sprigs around edges. Serve with crackers.

Try this Recipe too: Rudolph Reindeer Cheese Ball