Nutcracker Suite Board (Printable version)

A vibrant grazing board arranged in color-themed sections with cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and sweets.

# Ingredient List:

→ 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 - 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

# How-To Steps:

01 - Select a large, sturdy board or assemble multiple tiers using cake stands, pedestals, and platters to create a multi-level grazing presentation.
02 - On the base tier, arrange neutral elements including assorted crackers, sliced half baguette, and nuts to form the foundation.
03 - Group cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and sweets into distinct, color-themed sections on each tier to enhance visual appeal.
04 - Place cheeses prominently, cutting some into wedges or shapes to accentuate color contrasts and textures.
05 - Fold or drape prosciutto, salami, and soppressata attractively beside or between cheese blocks, maintaining clear color boundaries.
06 - Arrange fruits by color, clustering them to create layers of visual interest and contrast.
07 - Distribute nuts, mixed olives, and sweets in complementary color groups, ensuring a sense of abundance throughout.
08 - Add fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers to provide festive accents and elevate the presentation.
09 - Present immediately, verifying that all tiers are stable and accessible for guests.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's honestly the easiest way to look like you've spent hours in the kitchen when you're actually just arranging beautiful things strategically
  • Your guests will take photos before eating, which means you've created something Instagram-worthy without trying to
  • There's something about a tiered, color-blocked board that makes people feel special, like they're at a proper event, not just a casual gathering
  • Everyone finds something they love because the variety is genuinely abundant—no one feels left out
02 -
  • Assemble everything as close to serving time as possible. I learned this the painful way when a cheese board sat for an hour and the brie sweated through its elegance, and the crackers absorbed moisture and lost their crispness. Fresh is everything.
  • Freeze your grapes and small fruits for 30 minutes before arranging—they stay crisp, stay cold longer, and guests genuinely notice and appreciate this detail
  • Cheeses should never come straight from the refrigerator to the board. Let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes beforehand so their flavors can fully express themselves and their textures are perfect for enjoying
  • More is not always better. A board that feels abundant but strategically arranged beats a chaotic pile. Negative space is your friend.
  • Test all your tiering equipment beforehand for stability. A wobbling cake stand will ruin the magic and potentially the food
03 -
  • Slice your baguette at a slight angle for a more elegant presentation and better surface area for toppings
  • Use wooden boards over stone when possible—cheese looks warmer and more inviting against natural wood, and wood photographs beautifully
  • Arrange items at varying heights and angles rather than laying everything flat. Lean cheeses, stand some crackers, create dimension. This makes the board feel alive rather than static
  • For maximum visual impact, keep your color sections distinct rather than blending them. Clear boundaries create the Nutcracker magic
  • If you're concerned about things sliding on a slanted board, place a small piece of non-slip mat beneath boards or use a damp cloth as a stabilizer
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