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Holiday Entertaining Boards

Perfect appetizers to easily feed a crowd; simple and beautiful boards

Article by Angela Broockerd

Photography by Janie Jones

Originally published in Cypress Lifestyle

Sweet Treat Cocoa Board

Ingredients:

A variety of fresh berries or desired fruit

Marshmallows

Hot Cocoa Mix

Chocolate Covered Pretzels

Chocolate Covered Cherries

Chocolate Covered Graham Crackers

Chocolate Covered Biscotti

Hot Cocoa Bomb

Holiday Cookie Cutter

Directions: Place your favorite holiday cookie cutter on the board first. Fill the cookie cutter with mini marshmallows. Next, layer the large items first. Begin with the chocolate-covered Biscotti and build around that using berries. Pile the berries high. Next, add a variety of chocolate-covered treats on opposite sides of each other between the mounds of berries. Be sure to add touches of berries around the edges.  If space allows, place hot cocoa on board. Otherwise, set a bowl full of hot cocoa mix and any additional hot cocoa fixings adjacent to the board.

 

Holiday Wreath Charcuterie Board

Ingredients:

Fig Jelly

Honey

Variety of Cheeses

Salami or meat of choice

Olives (provide a variety)

Walnuts, Pecans, Pistachios and any favorite nut

Grapes, berries, persimmon 

Crackers

Directions: Place the jars of sauces and olives on the board first. Next place the cheeses on opposing sides. Add meats and fruits next. Layer in crackers, nuts and seeds, and fill in any spots with extra nuts. Use fresh Rosemary or fresh greenery to add a wreath accent in the center of the charcuterie board. Garnish with fresh cranberries.

The Pastry Board

Ingredients:

Donuts

Cinnamon Rolls

French Beignets

Rosemary sprigs for garnish 

Directions: Layer board with larger pastries first and layer in with smaller pastries next. Garnish the board with holiday sprigs or fresh herbs. 

 

The Veggie Crudite Board

Ingredients:

Cucumbers (cut in long slices) 

Celery

Red Peppers

Tomatoes 

Cauliflower 

Sugar Snap Peas

A Variety of Veggie Dips

Directions: Place three different types of veggie dips on the board. Build around the dips by placing your cucumbers and celery in multiple layers as the base.  Add red bell peppers and tomatoes around the board to add pops of color. Finish by layering cauliflower and sugar snap peas and garnish with fresh herbs if desired. 

The Peanut Butter Nutella Smear Board

Ingredients:

Peanut Butter

Nutella

Mini Chocolate Chips or Peanut Butter Chips

Caramel Sauce

Apple Slices

Graham Crackers 

Parchment Paper

Directions: Place a piece of parchment paper on top of your board. Using a spatula, smear peanut butter on one side of the board using short, repetitive strokes. Do the same on the opposite side of the board using Nutella. Sprinkle mini chocolate chips on top of the peanut butter and Nutella. Drizzle caramel on top. Serve with sliced apples and graham crackers.

Tips for creating the perfect board:

  • Start with the larger items first and build around those. If you are using jars on the board, place those first. 
  • Be sure to have enough to fill the space. it is best to overfill so that the board doesn't look sparse. Stack, stack and stack some more. 
  • Use a variety of colors and textures when choosing the foods you want to use. Pick cheese with color and patterns, fruits and veggies that come in a variety of textures and colors, and a protein that can make a statement. 
  • Be sure to place similar colors away from each other to help give symmetry.