Nutcracker Suite Grazing Board (Printable)

A colorful, multi-tiered grazing board showcasing cheeses, fruits, charcuterie, nuts, and sweets for elegant entertaining.

# What You Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz brie cheese
02 - 5.3 oz aged cheddar cheese
03 - 5.3 oz blue cheese
04 - 5.3 oz gouda cheese
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 - 1/2 cup marcona almonds
16 - 1/2 cup pistachios
17 - 1/2 cup candied pecans
18 - 1/2 cup mixed olives
19 - 1/2 cup assorted crackers
20 - 1/2 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 wooden board or assemble multiple tiers using cake stands, pedestals, and platters to establish a layered presentation.
02 - Begin on the base tier by positioning crackers, baguette slices, and assorted nuts to form the neutral foundation blocks.
03 - Designate distinct sections on each tier grouping cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and sweets by their color themes to create visual contrast.
04 - Arrange cheeses in prominent color blocks, cutting some into wedges or decorative shapes to enhance visual appeal.
05 - Neatly drape or fold slices of prosciutto, salami, and soppressata alongside cheese sections, maintaining clean color separation.
06 - Fill remaining spaces with fruits, clustering by color to enhance the festive and theatrical effect.
07 - Add nuts, mixed olives, and sweets within complementary color zones to create abundance and balance.
08 - Finish by garnishing with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for seasonal flair and vibrant color accents.
09 - Present immediately ensuring all tiers are secure and accessible for guests.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires zero cooking—just strategic, beautiful arrangement that makes you look like a culinary genius
  • Every guest finds something they love, from creamy brie to dark chocolate, because you're celebrating every color of the flavor spectrum
  • The multi-tiered drama creates natural conversation and movement around the board, turning appetizers into theater
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think—cheeses are better when they've been out of the fridge for 15 minutes, just warm enough to taste their full complexity, but not so warm they look sad and sweating
  • Arrange everything right before serving, not hours ahead; those fresh elements will stay vibrant and the cheeses will maintain their integrity, and your macarons won't absorb humidity and lose their crisp shells
03 -
  • Always taste your cheeses before the party if they're new to you—there are no surprises in front of guests, only confidence and knowledge
  • Keep small cheese knives nearby and encourage guests to use them; part of the pleasure is the active choosing and cutting, not passive consumption
  • If you're serving this at a stand-up party, arrange elements so they can be reached without leaning across or disrupting the composition—this isn't a still life, it's an interactive experience
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