People Are Making Savory ‘Charcuterie Chalets’ Instead of Gingerbread Houses This Year
Updated: Nov. 12, 2020
Who needs cookies when you've got meats and cheeses of all kinds?
If you’re into the Christmas festivities, there’s no doubt you’ve also built a few gingerbread houses in your day. It’s the perfect way to engage your family in some winter activities while making something delicious and exercising that creative mind of yours! Also…all the sweets. Duh! Every year, my friends and I bake gingerbread men and decorate them like our favorite fictional characters. It’s a tradition we won’t soon be forgetting…
But what if you’re bored of the standard frosting and gumdrops and want something totally different for 2020? Luckily, we’ve got a recommendation that’s a cut above the rest. A deli cut, to be precise.
This ‘Charcuterie Chalet’ Is a Snacker’s Delight
‘Charcuterie chalets’ are the latest and greatest in Christmastime snacking. While it may seem like something outside of your realm of skills, don’t worry, it’s totally doable at home. If you’re unfamiliar with charcuterie, it’s basically an array of cold cut meats and cheeses. A chalet is a little cottage with a roof overhang. Put them together, and what do you get? The most savory snack this side of Christmas!
This adorable little idea seems to be making its rounds across Instagram. Just look at how beautiful these little chalets are!
View this post on Instagrammy kind of gingerbread house #charcuteriehouse #cheesehouse #savory>sweetallday
As you can see, this innovative new foundation isn’t built from molasses and sugar. Rather, it’s made from meats and sausage, various types of cheese and various types of crackers (though Ritz crackers are our go-to). The best part is the customization is virtually endless! Are you a big fan of crackers and cheddar cheese? Make a cheese house with a cobble-cracker pathway. Build a fence out of beef sticks. Shingle your chalet with slices of sausage!
Take a Crack(er) at It Yourself
Stretch your creativity to its limit this season, and if you need somewhere to start, Costco has some great cheese flights and boards that could be the beginning of your new holiday tradition. Who says you can’t have a snowfall of Parmesan dusting your salami shingles or a snowman made of mozzarella smiling in the front yard?
Forwarning, though, if you plan on whipping up a charcuterie chalet this year, you’ll want to dig in pretty quickly. Opened packages of deli or sliced meat are only good for about five days, so make sure to get snacking ASAP! When you’re done, just wrap up your chalet and throw it in the fridge for the next night. Who couldn’t use some meat and cheese during those Hallmark holiday movie binges?
Still more of a sweets fan during the holidays? Check out these delicious hot chocolate boards.
Overnight Reindeer Rolls
Kids love helping in the kitchen. This year, have a little fun making these reindeer-shaped rolls with your little bakers. And make sure to take pictures because the treats will be gone before you know it! —Chris O'Connell, San Antonio, Texas
Roasted Beef Tenderloin
An overnight marinade provides a savory seasoning for this tenderloin. I've served this simple elegant roast on many special occasions. —Schelby Thompson, Camden Wyoming, Delaware
Make-Ahead Eggnog
Sipping homemade eggnog is a holiday tradition for many families. Our slow cooker version of the classic drink couldn’t be easier to make. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Overnight Baked Eggs Bruschetta
I like to spend as much time as I can with my guests when they stay with me for the holidays, so I rely on make-ahead recipes to help make that happen. Because most overnight brunch casseroles are so similar, I came up with a breakfast bruschetta for a fun change of pace. —Judi Berman-Yamada, Portland, Oregon
Make-Ahead Turkey and Gravy
Ease the holiday time crunch with a make-ahead turkey recipe that's ready to serve when you are. It's a great choice for potlucks, too. —Marie Parker, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Christmas Day Chicken
I've been fixing this delicious chicken for Christmas dinner for over 10 years. It's convenient since you refrigerate it overnight, then simply coat with crumbs and bake. It comes out crispy on the outside and tender and juicy on the inside. —Marcia Larson, Batavia, Illinois
Creamy Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
With five different dairy products, you know this make-ahead mashed potato casserole is going to be super rich and, of course, delicious. It gets even better topped with onions and bacon! —JoAnn Koerkenmeier, Damiansville, Illinois
Make-Ahead Butterhorns
Mom loved to make these lightly sweet, golden rolls. They're beautiful and impressive and have a homemade taste that makes them memorable. —Bernice Morris, Marshfield, Missouri
Twisted Eggs Benedict Salad
Salad for breakfast? Absolutely. You can prep everything except the dressing and chill it overnight. In the morning, dress the salad and poach the eggs. —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota
Frozen Mud Pie
Here's one of those "looks like you fussed" desserts that is so easy it's become a standard for me. I love the mocha version, but pure chocolate lovers may prefer using chocolate chip ice cream. The cookie crust is a snap to make. —Debbie Terenzini-Wilkerson, Lusby, Maryland
Overnight Pancakes
Our kids love waking up to these golden, fluffy pancakes. The buttermilk batter is refrigerated overnight, making them perfect busy mornings and special occasion breakfasts alike. —Lisa Sammons, Cut Bank, Montana
Make-Ahead Cornbread Dressing
Being from California, my family has always been big veggie eaters. I wanted to share a little taste of home with my in-laws so I created this dish for Thanksgiving. You don't have to let it sit overnight, but it's a nice make ahead Thanksgiving option and the flavors mesh more that way. —Patricia Broussard, Lafayette, Louisiana
Ginger Pear Freezer Jam
At dinner with friends one evening, one of our hosts served some pears she had preserved with ginger and lemon. The flavor was so heavenly I decided to use the fresh pears she gave us to try my hand at a ginger and lemon freezer jam.—Jeni Pittard, Commerce, Georgia
Broccoli Salad Supreme
People can't get enough of the sweet grapes and crunchy broccoli in this colorful salad. I appreciate its make-ahead convenience. —Terri Twyman, Bonanza, Oregon
Make-Ahead Turkey Gravy
My family loves gravy, so I can never have enough homemade gravy on hand for a holiday dinner. The base for this one is prepared with turkey wings and can be prepped in advance. —Linda Fitzsimmons, Fort Edward, New York
Overnight Cinnamon Rolls
I like to try different fun fillings in these soft rolls, and each one is packed with cinnamon flavor. They are definitely worth the overnight wait. —Chris O'Connell, San Antonio, Texas
Classic Make-Ahead Mashed Potatoes
These make-ahead mashed potatoes save me a ton of time on Christmas day. No more frantically whipping the potatoes while hungry family and guests hang around the kitchen! —Marty Rummel, Trout Lake, Washington
Overnight Cherry Danish
These rolls with their cherry-filled centers melt in your mouth and store well, unfrosted, in the freezer. —Leann Sauder, Tremont, Illinois
Make-Ahead Tiramisu
This variation of the popular Italian dessert is so easy to assemble. It's convenient, too, since you can make it the day before your dinner party or potluck. —Linda Finn, Louisville, Mississippi
Overnight Cranberry-Eggnog Coffee Cake
To use up leftover eggnog, cranberries and pecans from the holiday season, I added them to a classic coffee cake recipe. Mix it all together the night before, and bake it in the morning. —Lisa Varner, El Paso, Texas
Sage & Prosciutto Pinwheels
I love, love, love to make appetizers and I especially like this recipe because I can make the rolls ahead, freeze them, and then slice and bake when needed. —Kate Dampier, Quail Valley, California
Overnight Baked Oatmeal
My husband and I spent a long weekend at a bed-and-breakfast not far from our home. The owners shared this delicious recipe with me, which I've made my own after a couple of simple changes. —Jennifer Cramer, Lebanon, Pennsylvania
Make-Ahead Biscuits & Gravy Bake
Biscuits and gravy are usually prepared separately but served together. I created a way to bake them all at once in this scrumptious casserole. —Nancy Mcinnis, Olympia, Washington
Spicy Sausage & Apple Overnight Casserole
For many years I’ve hosted Mother’s Day brunch. One year I didn’t make this delightfully spicy casserole and thought the family would toss me from my own house! —Dawn Vance, Geneva, Illinois
Almond Cheddar Appetizers
I always try to have a supply of these appetizers on hand in the freezer. If guests drop in, I just pull some out and reheat to serve. They work great as a snack, for brunch or along with a lighter lunch. —Linda Thompson, Southampton, Ontario
Overnight Vegetable & Egg Breakfast
My overnight eggs and veggies make a hearty breakfast for those who have to rush out the door. I use sliced potatoes, but frozen potatoes work, too. —Kimberly Clark-Thiry, Anchor Point, Alaska
Overnight Pumpkin French Toast Casserole
Recipes that don't tie me to the kitchen—that’s what I’m all about. I make this luscious dish the night before breakfast or brunch with guests. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
Make-Ahead Sausage Pinwheels
Filled with sausage, sweet pepper and cream cheese, these roll-ups are excellent for unexpected visitors, a cocktail party or a halftime snack. Besides being easy to make, they can be done way ahead and kept in the freezer. All you have to do is pop them into a hot oven! —Cindy Nerat, Menominee, Michigan
Make-Ahead Maple & Sage Gravy
Save those turkey wings! Then use this richly flavored stock in my pour-it-on-everything herbed gravy. —Angela Lively, Conroe, Texas
Holiday Brunch Casserole
If you'll be having overnight company during the holidays, you may want to consider this hearty casserole. Guests will be impressed with its bountiful filling and scrumptious flavor. It's the perfect Easter breakfast or Christmas casserole. —Nelda Cronbaugh, Belle Plaine, Iowa
Easy Citrus Ham
I created this recipe many years ago with items I already had on hand. Since then, it has become a family favorite. The ham is succulent with a mild citrus flavor. I was asked to share the recipe with a church social and there were so many raves, I knew the recipe was a winner! —Sheila Christensen, San Marcos, California
Make-Ahead Creamy Potatoes
For the holidays, I usually serve the traditional foods with a new spin or two on family favorites. I put together these creamy potatoes the night before and simply bake the day of to save precious holiday time. —Wendy Ball, Battle Creek, Michigan
Freezer Strawberry Shortbread Dessert
When I’m planning party menus, I appreciate dessert recipes like this; you can make and freeze it up to two weeks before serving. A refreshing slice is welcome after a big meal.—Cassie Alexander, Muncie, IndianaPopular Videos
