Shining Bright Christmas Board

Featured in: Warm Rustic Plates

This festive grazing board combines a medley of rich cheeses, thinly sliced charcuterie, fresh and dried fruits, crunchy nuts, and sweet treats arranged beautifully on a large serving platter. With no cooking required and quick assembly, it offers a colorful and inviting spread perfect for holiday entertaining. Pair with your favorite sparkling wine for a delightful seasonal touch.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 08:54:00 GMT
Shining Bright Christmas 2025 Board: a vibrant holiday appetizer board overflowing with cheeses, fruits, meats, and sweets. Pin it
Shining Bright Christmas 2025 Board: a vibrant holiday appetizer board overflowing with cheeses, fruits, meats, and sweets. | emberthyme.com

A dazzling festive grazing board featuring a medley of cheeses charcuterie fruits nuts and sweet treats perfect for a holiday gathering

This grazing board was a highlight at our Christmas gathering it brought everyone together with its colorful and delicious variety

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 200 g Brie sliced into wedges 200 g Cheddar cubed 150 g Blue cheese crumbled 150 g Goat cheese log sliced
  • Charcuterie: 150 g Prosciutto thinly sliced 150 g Salami sliced 100 g Smoked turkey breast rolled
  • Fresh Fruits: 1 cup red grapes halved 1 cup green grapes 2 pears sliced 1 apple sliced 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
  • Dried Fruits & Nuts: 1/2 cup dried apricots 1/2 cup dried figs halved 1/2 cup roasted almonds 1/2 cup candied pecans 1/4 cup pistachios (shelled)
  • Crackers & Breads: 150 g assorted crackers 1 French baguette sliced 100 g breadsticks
  • Sweets & Festive Treats: 100 g dark chocolate pieces 100 g gingerbread cookies 1/4 cup white chocolate stars Gold sugar pearls to decorate
  • Condiments: 1/4 cup fig jam 1/4 cup honey 1/4 cup whole grain mustard

Instructions

Step 1:
Select a large wooden board or platter as your base
Step 2:
Arrange the cheeses evenly across the board spacing them out for visual appeal
Step 3:
Fold or roll charcuterie slices and place them around the cheeses
Step 4:
Fill in with clusters of grapes pear and apple slices Sprinkle pomegranate seeds for color
Step 5:
Add dried fruits and scatter the nuts throughout the board
Step 6:
Fill empty spaces with crackers baguette slices and breadsticks
Step 7:
Tuck chocolate pieces gingerbread cookies and white chocolate stars into remaining gaps
Step 8:
Place fig jam honey and mustard in small bowls and set them on or near the board
Step 9:
Garnish with gold sugar pearls and optional festive rosemary sprigs
Step 10:
Serve immediately replenishing items as needed
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| emberthyme.com

This board always brings my family together during the festive season sharing stories and laughs as we enjoy the spread

Notes

Pair with sparkling wine Prosecco or a light red Arrange items in festive shapes eg a star or tree for added holiday cheer

Required Tools

Large serving board or platter Small bowls for condiments Cheese knives and spreaders Small tongs

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese chocolate) Tree nuts (almonds pecans pistachios) Wheat (crackers bread) Eggs (some cookies) Soy (chocolate some crackers) Mustard Always verify packaging for potential allergens and cross-contamination

Feast your eyes, a Shining Bright Christmas 2025 Board with beautifully arranged festive cheeses and charcuterie delights. Pin it
Feast your eyes, a Shining Bright Christmas 2025 Board with beautifully arranged festive cheeses and charcuterie delights. | emberthyme.com

This shining bright Christmas board is sure to impress and delight your guests with every bite

Recipe FAQs

What cheeses work best on this board?

Soft Brie, sharp Cheddar, tangy Blue cheese, and creamy Goat cheese create a balanced range of flavors and textures.

How should the charcuterie be prepared?

Thinly slice prosciutto, salami, and smoked turkey breast for easy serving and a neat presentation.

Can this board be customized for vegetarians?

Yes, omit meats and add extra cheeses or marinated vegetables to keep it hearty and vegetarian-friendly.

What fruits complement the other ingredients?

Fresh grapes, pears, apples, and pomegranate seeds add sweetness and color, while dried apricots and figs provide chewy contrast.

How are the nuts incorporated?

Roasted almonds, candied pecans, and pistachios are scattered across the board to add crunch and richness.

Are there tips for making this board visually appealing?

Arrange items in clusters with varying colors and shapes, fill gaps with crackers and sweets, and garnish with gold sugar pearls or fresh herbs.

Shining Bright Christmas Board

A festive board with cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and sweets ideal for holiday celebrations.

Time to Prep
35 mins
0
Overall Time
35 mins
By Ember Thyme Clara Henshaw


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine International

Portions 10 Portion Size

Dietary Details Vegetarian-Friendly

What You’ll Need

Cheeses

01 7 oz Brie, sliced into wedges
02 7 oz Cheddar, cubed
03 5.3 oz Blue cheese, crumbled
04 5.3 oz Goat cheese log, sliced

Charcuterie

01 5.3 oz Prosciutto, thinly sliced
02 5.3 oz Salami, sliced
03 3.5 oz Smoked turkey breast, rolled

Fresh Fruits

01 1 cup red grapes, halved
02 1 cup green grapes
03 2 pears, sliced
04 1 apple, sliced
05 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds

Dried Fruits & Nuts

01 1/2 cup dried apricots
02 1/2 cup dried figs, halved
03 1/2 cup roasted almonds
04 1/2 cup candied pecans
05 1/4 cup shelled pistachios

Crackers & Breads

01 5.3 oz assorted crackers
02 1 French baguette, sliced
03 3.5 oz breadsticks

Sweets & Festive Treats

01 3.5 oz dark chocolate pieces
02 3.5 oz gingerbread cookies
03 1/4 cup white chocolate stars
04 Gold sugar pearls, for decoration

Condiments

01 1/4 cup fig jam
02 1/4 cup honey
03 1/4 cup whole grain mustard

How To Make

Step 01

Prepare the base: Select a large wooden board or platter to serve as the foundation.

Step 02

Arrange cheeses: Distribute cheese varieties evenly across the board, leaving space between each for visual balance.

Step 03

Place charcuterie: Fold or roll the sliced charcuterie and position around the cheeses.

Step 04

Add fresh fruits: Scatter clusters of red and green grapes, arrange pear and apple slices, and sprinkle pomegranate seeds to enhance color.

Step 05

Incorporate dried fruits and nuts: Fill gaps with dried apricots, dried figs, roasted almonds, candied pecans, and pistachios.

Step 06

Fill with crackers and breads: Place assorted crackers, baguette slices, and breadsticks in remaining spaces to add texture.

Step 07

Add sweets and decorations: Nestle dark chocolate pieces, gingerbread cookies, and white chocolate stars throughout the board.

Step 08

Set condiments: Provide fig jam, honey, and whole grain mustard in small bowls placed on or near the board.

Step 09

Garnish and serve: Sprinkle gold sugar pearls and optionally add festive rosemary sprigs as garnish before serving immediately.

Equipment Needed

  • Large serving board or platter
  • Small bowls for condiments
  • Cheese knives and spreaders
  • Small tongs

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens and talk to your healthcare provider if you’re unsure.
  • Contains milk (cheese, chocolate), tree nuts (almonds, pecans, pistachios), wheat (crackers, bread), eggs (some cookies), soy (chocolate, some crackers), and mustard.

Nutrition Details (for each portion)

This nutritional info is just for reference—always consult your healthcare provider for specific advice.
  • Calorie Count: 410
  • Fats: 23 g
  • Carbohydrates: 38 g
  • Proteins: 14 g