Building a gingerbread house is a fun thing to do over the holidays. But whether you buy a kit or put in the extra effort to make one from scratch, we can all agree that they're not the most appetizing holiday treat. By the time you get around to eating it, the gingerbread is stale, the icing is rock hard, and the candy decorations, well, they were never good in the first place (who actually likes gumdrops?).
Thankfully, we have a much more delicious idea. A new trend taking over TikTok is all about creating holiday-themed houses that are actually worth eating. Charcuterie chalets swap out the standard combination of cookies and frosting for meat, cheese, and crackers.
One of our favorite designs comes from TikTok user @convinoboard, who masterfully decorated her charcuterie chalet with sprigs of rosemary and somehow got smoke to come out of the chimney (!!!!!).
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Spreadable cheese, like Boursin, is used to hold the cracker walls in place. Cheese slices are layered to create a shingled roof. Mini balls of mozzarella form a cheesy snowman. And to top it all off, the entire house can be dusted in a layer of grated Parmesan.
We've seen other people make multi-story houses and old school A-frames, so the opportunities to be creative are endless. You can cut salami into rectangles to replicate a brick facade. Arrange almonds for an edible cobblestone (or cobblenut) walkway. If you're really committed to the holiday vibes, try sticking shredded mozzarella on the roof to create your own icicles.
Beyond being a fun project, it's also a festive holiday centerpiece that'll elicit oohs and aahs at any Christmas party. Serve it alongside our naughty knots, cranberry whipped feta dip, and pigs in a blanket wreath for a show-stopping spread.
Are you making a charcuterie chalet this year? Let us know in the comments.
Gabby Romero is Delish’s editorial assistant, where she writes stories about the latest TikTok trends, develops recipes, and answers any and all of your cooking-related questions. She loves eating spicy food, collecting cookbooks, and adding a mountain of Parmesan to any dish she can.
