Nutcracker Suite Grazing Board (Print Version)

Colorful multi-tiered grazing board with cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and sweets arranged for a festive display.

# Components:

→ 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 tall layered presentation.
02 - Place crackers, sliced baguette, and nuts on the base tier as foundation layers.
03 - Organize each tier by color, arranging cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and sweets into distinct color blocks.
04 - Position cheeses in visible blocks, cutting some into wedges or shapes to emphasize color contrast.
05 - Drape or fold prosciutto, salami, and soppressata near cheese sections, maintaining clear color separation.
06 - Layer and cluster grapes, strawberries, blueberries, dried apricots, and pomegranate seeds by color for visual impact.
07 - Enhance the board with nuts, mixed olives, white and dark chocolates, macarons, and petit fours arranged by color.
08 - Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers to add festive accents.
09 - Present the assembled tiers immediately, ensuring stability and easy access to all items.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires zero cooking, just creative arrangement and imagination.
  • Every guest finds something they love, from the vegetarian options to the sweet petit fours, making everyone feel included.
  • The color-blocked design means you're basically edible art on display, turning snacking into pure theater.
02 -
  • Timing matters: assemble the base components an hour ahead, but add fresh fruits and delicate items like edible flowers only 15 minutes before guests arrive so nothing wilts or oxidizes.
  • Height creates drama, but stability prevents disaster—test your risers and stands before loading them with food, and never stack more than three tiers unless your base is extremely sturdy.
03 -
  • Slice your baguette on a slight angle rather than straight cuts—it looks more intentional and catches light beautifully on an angled board.
  • Keep a small bowl of lemon water nearby and quickly dip cut apple or pear slices to prevent browning if you decide to add them at the last minute.
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