Nutcracker Suite Grazing Board (Printable version)

Color-blocked layers of cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, nuts and sweets create a festive and elegant grazing experience.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz brie
02 - 5.3 oz aged cheddar
03 - 5.3 oz blue cheese
04 - 5.3 oz gouda
05 - 3.5 oz cranberry goat cheese

→ Charcuterie

06 - 3.5 oz prosciutto
07 - 3.5 oz salami
08 - 3.5 oz soppressata

→ Fruits

09 - 1 cup red grapes
10 - 1 cup green grapes
11 - 1 cup blueberries
12 - 1 cup strawberries
13 - 1 cup dried apricots
14 - 1 cup pomegranate seeds

→ Nuts & Accompaniments

15 - 0.5 cup marcona almonds
16 - 0.5 cup pistachios
17 - 0.5 cup candied pecans
18 - 0.5 cup mixed olives
19 - 0.5 cup assorted crackers
20 - 0.5 baguette, sliced

→ Sweets

21 - 5.3 oz white chocolate bark
22 - 5.3 oz dark chocolate
23 - 12 colorful macarons
24 - 12 petit fours

→ Garnishes

25 - fresh rosemary sprigs
26 - edible flowers

# Directions:

01 - Select a large sturdy board or construct multiple tiers using cake stands, pedestals, and platters to achieve a layered, dramatic presentation.
02 - On the bottom tier, arrange neutral items including crackers, baguette slices, and nuts to form the foundation.
03 - Divide each tier into color-themed sections grouping cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and sweets distinctly for visual impact.
04 - Place cheeses in prominent blocks, slicing some into shapes or wedges to emphasize color contrasts.
05 - Fold or drape charcuterie alongside cheeses, maintaining clear color boundaries and attractive arrangement.
06 - Cluster fruits by color within empty spaces to add layering and visual interest.
07 - Populate remaining spaces with nuts, mixed olives, and sweets, grouping by complementary colors to create abundance.
08 - Top with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers to enhance festive flair and color contrast.
09 - Ensure tiers are stable and accessible, then present immediately to guests.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks impossibly elegant but requires zero cooking—just thoughtful arranging and an eye for color
  • Every guest finds something they love, from strict cheese devotees to chocolate seekers to nut lovers
  • The theatrical presentation becomes the main event, not just the opener before dinner
  • It scales beautifully from an intimate gathering to a party of twenty without stress
02 -
  • Cheese spreads and softens as it sits—if you're assembling this more than an hour ahead, keep it cool and only take it out thirty minutes before guests arrive. Cold cheese loses its appeal and cracks awkwardly.
  • Color blocks are only stunning when they're intentional. When I first made this, I randomly scattered colors and it looked confused. The moment I committed to distinct color sections, the whole board transformed.
  • Berries release juice as they sit. Fresh berries should go on last, just before you call people to the table. Dried fruits and nuts are your friends for advance prep.
03 -
  • Make a vegetarian version by doubling down on cheeses, adding marinated vegetables, roasted nuts, and preserves. It's equally stunning and often gets devoured even faster.
  • Customize your color blocks to match your party's theme or even Nutcracker characters—white for the Snow Queen, gold for the Nutcracker himself, ruby red for the roses. This personal touch elevates the whole experience.
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