Pin A playful and festive appetizer platter featuring a savory gingerbread man made with meats, cheeses, and vibrant vegetables—perfect for holiday gatherings.
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 
Pin Recipe Q&A
- → How do I assemble the gingerbread man platter?
Use a gingerbread man outline on a board as a guide, layering meats for the shape, then filling with cheeses, and adding vegetables as details.
- → Can I make this platter vegetarian?
Yes, replace the meats with grilled vegetables or marinated tofu slices to maintain flavor and texture variety.
- → Are there gluten-free options included?
Yes, you can use gluten-free crackers or omit them to accommodate gluten-free preferences.
- → What cheeses work best for this arrangement?
Cheddar, Swiss, and goat cheese provide a good balance of color, texture, and flavor for the centerpiece.
- → How can I keep smaller toppings in place?
Using soft cheese or hummus can help secure smaller vegetable pieces and garnish on the platter.