Pin this A playful and festive appetizer platter featuring a savory gingerbread man made with meats, cheeses, and vibrant vegetables—perfect for holiday gatherings.
This recipe became a holiday favorite in our family because it combines creativity with delicious flavors making every gathering special.
Ingredients
- Meats: 6 slices prosciutto, 6 slices salami, 6 slices smoked turkey breast
- Cheeses: 100 g cheddar cheese sliced, 100 g Swiss cheese sliced, 100 g goat cheese crumbled
- Vegetables & Garnishes: 1 red bell pepper cut into strips, 1 small cucumber sliced, 10 cherry tomatoes halved, 1 medium carrot cut into sticks, 1/4 cup black olives sliced, 1/4 cup green olives pitted and sliced, 1/4 cup baby arugula or microgreens
- Crackers & Extras: 1 box assorted gluten-free crackers (or regular as preferred), 2 tbsp whole grain mustard, 2 tbsp fig jam
Instructions
- Step 1:
- On a large board or platter, use a gingerbread man-shaped outline (drawn on parchment or a large cookie cutter) as a guide.
- Step 2:
- Arrange the meats to outline the gingerbread man shape layering prosciutto, salami, and turkey to form the arms, legs, and head.
- Step 3:
- Fill in the body with sliced cheeses alternating colors and textures.
- Step 4:
- Use black olives for buttons, cherry tomato halves for cheeks, cucumber slices for hands and feet, and red bell pepper strips for a scarf or smile.
- Step 5:
- Sprinkle goat cheese to resemble icing along the arms and legs.
- Step 6:
- Surround the figure with crackers, vegetable sticks, arugula, and remaining cheese and meats for easy access.
- Step 7:
- Serve with mustard and fig jam on the side.
Pin this Making this platter together always brings my family laughter and creativity especially during holidays.
Required Tools
Large serving board or platter, gingerbread man cookie cutter or parchment outline optional, and small bowls for spreads.
Allergen Information
Contains dairy (cheese) and may contain gluten (choose gluten-free crackers for dietary needs) also contains processed meats check labels for added allergens.
Nutritional Information
Per serving: 210 calories, 13 g total fat, 9 g carbohydrates, 13 g protein.
Pin this This appetizer never fails to impress bringing festive cheer and tasty bites to any occasion.
Recipe FAQs
- → What meats work best for the charcuterie figure?
Prosciutto, salami, and smoked turkey breast provide varied textures and flavors ideal for layering and shaping the gingerbread man outline.
- → Can this platter accommodate gluten-free diets?
Yes, using gluten-free crackers and ensuring all processed meats are gluten-free makes the platter suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.
- → How can I keep smaller toppings from falling off?
Use a bit of hummus or soft cheese as adhesive to help hold olives, cherry tomatoes, and other smaller elements in place.
- → What vegetables complement this platter's presentation?
Red bell pepper strips, cucumber slices, carrot sticks, and baby arugula add color, texture, and freshness alongside the meats and cheeses.
- → Are there vegetarian alternatives for this dish?
Replace meats with grilled vegetables or marinated tofu slices to create a vegetarian-friendly variation of the platter.