Nutcracker Suite Grazing Board (Printable)

A multi-tiered, colorful grazing board featuring an array of cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and sweets.

# 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 board or assemble multiple tiers using cake stands, pedestals, and platters to create a layered presentation.
02 - On the base tier, place crackers, baguette slices, and nuts to establish a neutral foundation.
03 - Organize each tier into color-themed sections grouping cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and sweets distinctly.
04 - Place cheeses prominently, cutting some into wedges or shapes to enhance color contrast and visual appeal.
05 - Artfully drape or fold charcuterie beside or between cheese sections maintaining clear color boundaries.
06 - Fill remaining spaces with fruits, layering and clustering by color to create visual drama.
07 - Arrange nuts, olives, and sweets in complementary color groups to evoke abundance.
08 - Add fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for festive flair.
09 - Ensure each tier is stable and accessible, then serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that does 90% of the work for you—no cooking, just artful arrangement that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • Everyone finds something they love in the color-blocked sections, from cheese lovers to fruit fanatics to those sneaking extra chocolates when they think no one's looking.
  • It scales beautifully for 12 people or 50, and people genuinely remember it because it feels both generous and intentional.
02 -
  • Temperature is everything. All cheeses, charcuterie, and chocolate should sit at room temperature for at least 30 minutes before serving, or everything will taste cold and flat. I learned this the hard way when my first board felt clinical instead of luxurious.
  • Color blocking only works if you truly commit to it. A stray green grape in the red section ruins the visual story. I now arrange ingredients in their zones first, then fill transitions with neutral elements (nuts, olives). This discipline transforms a cheese board into art.
  • Stability matters more than you think. Use small bowls or ramekins under platters to create hidden height, and always test each tier before loading it with food. A collapsed board at the party is the opposite of the memory you're trying to create.
03 -
  • Prep as much as possible the night before: arrange the board structure, prep your ingredients in separate containers organized by color, and chill everything. The day of the party, it's just assembly—15 minutes of arranging, and you're done. This is how you stay calm while hosting.
  • Buy your chocolate, macarons, and petit fours from an actual bakery or high-quality source, not a grocery store. These are the showpiece elements, and good versions make the entire board feel elevated and intentional.
  • Photograph the board before anyone touches it. In this era of social media and shared moments, that pristine version becomes part of the memory. Plus, you'll want to remember how beautiful it was.
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