Save This charcuterie chalet is the show-stopping centerpiece your holiday table has been missing. Built from layers of cheeses, cured meats, and crisp crackers, this festive edible house is equal parts delicious and interactive. Friends and family can admire and nibble away at doors, rooftops, and even the "bushes" made from olives. Whether you are hosting a glitzy party or want a fun project for a cozy winter evening, this savory chalet is guaranteed to spark conversation and joy.
The first time I made this with my niece, we laughed for hours making up stories about who would live in our cheese house. Now it is a tradition we look forward to every December.
Ingredients
- Rectangular crackers: help form a sturdy base and add a salty crunch choose ones that are wide and flat with minimal crumbling
- Sharp cheddar cheese: for structural walls look for blocks that slice cleanly and opt for high-quality aged varieties for fullest flavor
- Cream cheese softened: acts as the edible "cement" go with a full-fat brick for the best spreadable consistency
- Prosciutto: paper-thin slices drape beautifully and give a rustic look
- Genoa salami: a classic for snacking with a mild robust flavor
- Soppressata: firmer texture good for doorways and accents
- Swiss cheese sliced: forms the chalet roof pick a young or aged style to suit your taste
- Havarti cheese sliced: supplies creamy meltiness to roof layers
- Goat cheese: brings tangy contrast and spreads easily for little decorative details
- Pitted green olives: add savoriness and bright color choose firm unbroken olives for best appearance
- Cherry tomatoes: for pops of red and juiciness
- Cornichons or small pickles: supply tart crunch mini gherkins are perfect
- Seedless red grapes: bring a juicy burst of sweetness select plump and unblemished
- Fresh rosemary sprigs: create "trees" and add festive scent
- Dried cranberries: jewel-like sweet tart decoration
- Sliced almonds: provide crunch and a snowy look use fresh nuts for flavor and crispness
- Whipped cream cheese: makes fluffy "snow" texture
- Chives or parsley: for fresh green color and savory punch
- Honey or fig jam: offers sweetness for drizzling or dipping
- Assorted breadsticks or pretzel rods: transform into "logs" and fencing look for sturdy varieties that will stand upright
- Choose the best quality cheeses and deli meats you can find they are the heart of your chalet
Instructions
- Prepare the Base:
- On a large serving board or platter, arrange the crackers tightly side by side in a rectangle to form your chalet’s foundation. Select the flattest crackers for the foundation so your walls stand up firmly.
- Build the Walls:
- Cut cheddar cheese into even rectangular slabs using a sharp knife. Spread a generous layer of softened cream cheese along the side edges to use as mortar, then join the slabs together at the corners to make four sturdy walls. Press gently for a solid seal.
- Add the Roof:
- Place sliced Swiss and Havarti cheeses in overlapping layers over two opposing "walls" to construct a pitched roof. Secure with extra dabs of cream cheese in any gaps so it stays in place, trimming slices as needed to fit.
- Decorate Exterior:
- Layer prosciutto and salami in rustic strips along the outside of your walls and roof, smoothing gently into place. Use slices of soppressata to frame doors and windows, cutting smaller pieces for corners and edges.
- Add Edible Accents:
- Tuck green olives and cornichons or tiny pickles around the house base to mimic bushes. Stand breadsticks or sturdy pretzel rods vertically for fence posts or stack them for extra "logs." Arrange rosemary sprigs as trees nearby and scatter red grapes, cherry tomatoes, and dried cranberries as festive ornaments.
- Create Snow:
- Fill a piping bag or use a small spatula to pipe or spread whipped cream cheese along the roof ridges and outer edges of the chalet, mimicking snow. Gently press sliced almonds into the cream cheese to give dimension and a snowy effect.
- Final Touches:
- Crumble or pipe goat cheese to create windowpanes, step stones, or decorative accents. Garnish around the house with chopped chives or parsley for a pop of green. Place bowls of honey or fig jam for dipping and extra flavor.
- Serve:
- Encourage your guests to dig in and nibble their favorite pieces: no two bites are the same
Save My favorite "tree" is the rosemary sprig—it smells like a walk in the winter woods and always reminds me of my grandmother tucking herbs into a roast. The first year we made a cheese chalet, we ran out of crackers before the roof collapsed because everyone kept sneaking them.
Storage Tips
Wrap any remaining chalet pieces tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to two days. Leftover bits of cheese or meats work well chopped in omelets or tossed into salads for quick meals.
Ingredient Substitutions
Swap in different cheeses such as pepper jack or fontina for the roof and walls if you prefer. For vegetarian versions, skip the cured meats and add roasted red peppers, marinated artichokes, or candied nuts to build texture and flavor. Gluten-free crackers are widely available and sturdy enough for building.
Serving Suggestions
Serve with crisp white wine, hard apple cider, or festive sparkling water. A side of fresh fruit and crunchy nuts makes this platter feel like the centerpiece of your holiday spread. You can also cut out cheese or meat shapes using cookie cutters to add extra whimsy.
Cultural History
The charcuterie chalet blends European cheese house traditions and American snack boards into one showstopper. Inspired by gingerbread houses but built with savory ingredients, it is a modern holiday tradition that brings creativity into the kitchen and encourages joyful sharing at gatherings.
Seasonal Adaptations
Swap in pickled vegetables, dried fruits, and nuts for a fall or spring version Use edible flowers for a springtime "cottage" look Add fresh basil or mint for a summer cabin feel
Success Stories
I have hosted neighborhood parties where kids and adults both flock to the cheese chalet at the center of the table. One year a friend added candy eyes to the "door" and her holiday photos went viral thanks to this quirky creation. The tradition caught on and now we make a different style every year.
Freezer Meal Conversion
Most elements are best fresh but you can prep cheese and meat slices ahead and chill separately for up to two days before assembling. Avoid freezing as textures will change and veggies may go limp.
Save Your festive charcuterie chalet will be the talk of your holiday gathering. Snap a photo before everyone samples the delicious details!
Kitchen Q&A
- → How do I keep the chalet structure stable?
Use cream cheese as mortar to adhere the cheese slabs and ensure the crackers form a solid foundation. Build on a flat board or platter for support.
- → Can I make the chalet vegetarian?
Yes! Omit the cured meats and substitute with roasted vegetables, additional cheeses, and extra nuts for a beautiful, meat-free version.
- → What tools are needed for assembly?
A large serving board, cheese knife, butter knife or spatula for spreading, and a piping bag for cream cheese are recommended.
- → How far in advance can I build the chalet?
Assemble the chalet up to 2 hours before serving. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate to maintain freshness and stability.
- → What dips pair well with this centerpiece?
Serve with honey, fig jam, or whipped cream cheese on the side for extra flavor and variety.
- → Are there gluten-free options available?
Use gluten-free crackers and breadsticks for guests with dietary restrictions and check ingredient labels for allergens.