This post may contain affiliate links and ads. Read our disclosure policy here.
Every Christmas Eve, our family gathers for our big annual dinner – and last year my stepmom walked in carrying the cutest appetizer I’ve ever seen. She created this Santa-themed caprese tray, and it instantly became the star of the table. It’s fresh, flavorful, and almost too adorable to eat… almost.
This festive Santa Caprese Deli Tray uses the classic caprese combination of mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil, arranged into a cheerful Santa face. Add a couple slices of bologna or ham for the base of Santa’s face, and you’ve got a crowd-pleasing holiday appetizer that doubles as a centerpiece. Serve it with crackers and let everyone dig into the goodness!
Ingredients
- Fresh mozzarella cheese (sliced)
- Fresh tomatoes (sliced)
- Fresh basil leaves
- 2 slices deli bologna or ham for Santa’s face
- Small pieces of black olives (eyes and mouth)
- Small piece of tomato (nose)
- Crackers for serving
Directions
1. Prep Your Tray
Line a large tray or baking sheet with foil or parchment to make assembly easy and cleanup simple.
2. Build Santa’s Face
Place two slices of bologna or ham in the center of the tray to form the base of Santa’s face. Trim slightly if you’d like a more rounded shape.
3. Make Santa’s Hat
Layer tomato slices above the face in a soft triangular shape. Add a slice or two of mozzarella at the top to create the fluffy pom-pom on Santa’s hat.
4. Add the Hair and Beard
Use fresh mozzarella slices to outline the face, forming Santa’s hair along the sides and a full beard below. The uneven, rounded slices actually make the beard look fluffier!
5. Create Santa’s Collar
Arrange more tomato slices at the bottom and top them with fresh basil leaves. This gives Santa a fun, festive green-and-red collar that pops beautifully.
6. Add His Cheerful Expression
Use small olive pieces for his eyes and mouth, and a tiny piece of tomato for the nose.
7. Serve and Enjoy
Pair the tray with a variety of crackers so guests can scoop up bites of mozzarella, tomato, and basil. It’s like a playful, holiday-ready caprese board!
Tips & Variations
- Swap bologna for turkey, ham, or even a slice of provolone for a vegetarian option.
- Add a drizzle of balsamic glaze around the edges just before serving for extra caprese flavor.
This Santa Caprese Deli Tray is adorable, fresh, and guaranteed to make everyone smile before they even take a bite. It’s one of those holiday dishes that becomes a tradition the moment it hits the table.
Be sure to check out the rest of our Christmas collection for lots more ideas for food and DIYs.
