Nutcracker Suite Grazing Board (Printable)

Color-blocked multi-tiered board featuring cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and sweets for a festive presentation.

# What You'll 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 - ½ cup Marcona almonds
16 - ½ cup Pistachios
17 - ½ cup Candied pecans
18 - ½ cup Mixed olives
19 - ½ cup Assorted crackers
20 - ½ 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, or platters to create a layered presentation.
02 - On the base tier, place neutral items including crackers, baguette slices, and nuts as the foundation.
03 - Group cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and sweets by color on each tier for a visually striking arrangement.
04 - Place cheeses prominently, cutting some into shapes or wedges to accentuate color contrast.
05 - Drape or fold cured meats attractively beside or between cheese sections, maintaining distinct color sections.
06 - Cluster fruits by color to fill remaining spaces, adding visual depth and variety.
07 - Intersperse nuts, olives, and sweets in complementary color groups to evoke abundance.
08 - Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers to enhance festivity.
09 - Present immediately, ensuring stability and easy access to each tier.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter—guests will actually photograph this before eating, and that never gets old.
  • You're not slaving over a hot stove; this is pure assembly and creativity, perfect for entertaining without stress.
  • Every single person at your party finds something they love, from the cheese lovers to the sweet tooth crowd.
  • It scales beautifully—12 people or 50, you just adjust quantities and watch the magic happen.
02 -
  • Assemble this no more than 2-3 hours before serving—soft cheeses will sweat, and fresh fruit will weep if left too long. Timing is everything.
  • Room temperature cheese tastes infinitely better than cold cheese. Pull your board from the fridge 30 minutes before guests arrive so flavors can sing.
  • Use a hot knife (dip in hot water and wipe dry) when slicing brie and other soft cheeses—it prevents tears and preserves those clean, elegant cuts.
03 -
  • Buy chocolate bark and macarons from specialty shops 2-3 days ahead and store them in a cool, dark place—never the fridge, as humidity will ruin the finish.
  • The day before, research your board on Pinterest and save 3-4 images that resonate with you—this visual reference while building takes the pressure off and gives you confidence in your arrangement.
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