Nutcracker Suite Board (Printable)

A colorful, multi-layered grazing board with cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and sweets arranged for elegant entertaining.

# What You Need:

→ 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:

01 - Select a large, sturdy board or assemble multiple tiers using cake stands, pedestals, and platters to create an elevated, layered presentation.
02 - Place crackers, sliced baguette, and nuts on the base tier to form neutral-colored sections.
03 - Group cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and sweets into distinct color-themed sections on each tier.
04 - Position cheeses in blocks, cutting some into wedges or shapes to emphasize contrasting colors.
05 - Neatly drape or fold meats next to or between cheese sections, keeping clear color division.
06 - Cluster and layer fruits by color in remaining spaces to enhance visual impact.
07 - Intersperse nuts, olives, and sweets within color groups to create a sense of bounty.
08 - Decorate with rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for a festive aesthetic.
09 - Present immediately, ensuring tier stability and easy access for guests.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • This board is pure theater for your table—it's a conversation starter that makes people pause and actually see what they're eating, not just mindlessly grazing
  • Zero cooking required means you're actually present at your own party instead of sweating in the kitchen
  • It feeds a crowd beautifully and accommodates almost every dietary preference without separate platters
  • The color-blocking creates an Instagram moment that feels intentional and curated, even if you're just arranging what you love
02 -
  • Room temperature is everything—take all your cheeses and cured meats out of the fridge at least an hour before serving. Cold cheese tastes like nothing, and cold prosciutto tears instead of folds gracefully.
  • The color-blocking works because of contrast, not crowding. Leave white space on your board so the colors have room to breathe and actually stand out. A crowded board is just busy; a thoughtfully spaced board is luxurious.
03 -
  • Shop for your ingredients two days before, but assemble only on the day of serving. This way everything is fresh but nothing has time to oxidize or dry out.
  • If you're feeding a crowd of 16 and worried about running out, remember that this board is meant to be part of a meal, not the entire meal—pair it with a soup, a salad, or a main course, and it stretches beautifully.
Go back