Easiest CHARCUTERIE BOARD for the Holidays (Best Christmas Appetizer!)

Ingredients

• 4 oz Sharp Cheddar (cut into cubes)
• 4 oz Monterey Jack (sliced)
• 4 oz Smoked Gouda (sliced or cubed)
• 4 oz Fromage Blanc (soft cheese, placed in a small bowl)
• 4 oz Brie (whole wedge, sliced)
• 8 oz Summer Sausage (remove outer casing, sliced into rounds)
• 4 oz Prosciutto (rolled into bite‑size spirals)
• 8 oz Salami (folded in half twice to create fan shape)
• 2 tbsp Honey (for drizzling)
• 2 tbsp Stone‑Ground Mustard (served in a small bowl)
• 1/2 cup Marinated Artichoke Hearts (drained, placed in a bowl)
• 1/2 cup Olives (mixed) (pitted, placed in a bowl)
• 1 cup Gluten‑Free Crackers (mixed shapes and textures)
• 1 large Apple (cored, thinly sliced)
• 1 large Pear (cored, thinly sliced)
• 1 cup Fresh Grapes (seedless, left whole)
• 1/2 cup Dried Apricots (halved)
• 1/2 cup Candied Pecans (store‑bought or homemade)
• 2 tbsp Apricot Raspberry Preserves (drizzled over Fromage Blanc)

Instructions

1. Choose and Prepare the Board

   Select an 18‑inch marble or wooden board (or any size that fits your guest count). Place it on a stable surface and wipe clean with a damp cloth.

   Time: PT5M

2. Arrange the Cheeses

   Place the five cheeses (sharp cheddar, Monterey Jack, smoked Gouda, Fromage Blanc, and brie) on the board. Cube the cheddar and Gouda, slice the Monterey Jack, leave the Fromage Blanc in a small bowl, and slice the brie into wedges.

   Time: PT10M

3. Slice and Position the Meats

   Remove the outer casing from the summer sausage and slice into rounds. Roll prosciutto slices into spirals and place them near the cheeses. Fold each salami slice in half, then in half again to create a fan shape and arrange beside the other meats.

   Time: PT10M

4. Add Condiment Bowls

   Fill four small bowls with honey, stone‑ground mustard, marinated artichoke hearts, and olives. Position the bowls evenly around the board, leaving space for crackers and fruit.

   Time: PT5M

5. Scatter the Crackers

   Distribute the gluten‑free crackers across the board, mixing different shapes and textures. Fill gaps between cheeses and meats.

   Time: PT5M

6. Add Fresh Fruit and Nuts

   Thinly slice the apple and pear and arrange them in the empty spaces. Add fresh grapes, dried apricots, and candied pecans around the board for color and sweetness.

   Time: PT5M

7. Finish with Drizzle and Garnish

   Drizzle apricot raspberry preserves over the Fromage Blanc bowl. Add a small dipper into the honey bowl for easy serving. Step back, admire the layout, and cover the board with plastic wrap until ready to serve.

   Time: PT5M

Nutrition Facts

Calories

250

Protein

8g

Carbohydrates

20g

Fat

15g

Fiber

3g