Nutcracker Suite Grazing Board (Print Version)

A stunning layered board featuring color-themed cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and sweets for festive entertaining.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz brie cheese (white block)
02 - 5.3 oz aged cheddar cheese (yellow block)
03 - 5.3 oz blue cheese (blue block)
04 - 5.3 oz gouda cheese (orange block)
05 - 3.5 oz cranberry goat cheese (red/pink block)

→ Charcuterie

06 - 3.5 oz prosciutto (pink/rose block)
07 - 3.5 oz salami (red block)
08 - 3.5 oz soppressata (deep red block)

→ Fruits

09 - 1 cup red grapes (red block)
10 - 1 cup green grapes (green block)
11 - 1 cup blueberries (blue block)
12 - 1 cup strawberries (red block)
13 - 1 cup dried apricots (orange block)
14 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds (ruby block)

→ Nuts & Accompaniments

15 - ½ cup marcona almonds (white block)
16 - ½ cup pistachios (green block)
17 - ½ cup candied pecans (brown block)
18 - ½ cup mixed olives (green/black block)
19 - ½ cup assorted crackers (neutral block)
20 - ½ baguette, sliced (neutral block)

→ Sweets

21 - 5.3 oz white chocolate bark (white block)
22 - 5.3 oz dark chocolate (black block)
23 - 12 colorful macarons (various colors)
24 - 12 petit fours (pastel block)

→ Garnishes

25 - Fresh rosemary sprigs (green accents)
26 - Edible flowers (for color enhancement)

# Directions:

01 - Select a large, sturdy board or assemble multiple tiers using cake stands, pedestals, and platters for a layered effect.
02 - Arrange crackers, baguette slices, and nuts on the bottom tier to form neutral foundation blocks.
03 - Group cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and sweets by color on each tier, ensuring clear boundaries for visual impact.
04 - Place cheeses in prominent sections, cutting some into wedges or shapes to highlight contrast.
05 - Drape or fold sliced meats beside or between cheese blocks, maintaining distinct color separation.
06 - Layer and cluster fruits by color within gaps to add vibrancy and depth.
07 - Scatter nuts, olives, and sweets in complementary color groups to create abundance and texture variety.
08 - Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for festive appeal.
09 - Ensure all tiers are stable and accessible before presenting.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the one board that makes you look like you spent hours when you really spent less than an hour putting it together—pure kitchen magic.
  • Every guest finds something they love because you've created an entire edible landscape rather than just a platter.
  • The color-blocking transforms ordinary ingredients into an artistic centerpiece that photographs beautifully and tastes even better.
02 -
  • Assemble your board no more than 2 hours before serving—cheeses need that coolness to stay elegant, and fruits stay juicier and brighter when they're closer to serving time.
  • Use small bowls or even create little dams with tall items to prevent olives and nuts from rolling into the cheese section or falling off tiered edges.
  • The real secret is the height variation—a flat board is just food on wood, but a multi-tiered board becomes a moment, an event, something that makes people pause.
03 -
  • Invest in a beautiful wooden board—your presentation surface matters as much as what you put on it, and a gorgeous board becomes a permanent part of your entertaining collection.
  • Prep all ingredients in separate containers the day before, then assemble the final board just before your guests arrive—this lets you focus on the theater of presentation rather than rushing through ingredients.
  • Use height strategically: place taller items (cheese blocks, chocolate shards) near the back or center, and let shorter items (berries, nuts) cascade around them so every element is visible and reachable.
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