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There are few things in life I love more than setting out a gorgeous cheese board. It’s my go-to when I want to create something that looks elegant but doesn’t leave me stressing in the kitchen for hours. Honestly, I think my love for cheese boards comes from how much fun they are to put together—you can play with textures, colors, and flavors until it looks like a work of art. And the best part? Everyone always gathers around it first.
I still remember the first time I made one for a holiday gathering. I was so worried it wouldn’t look as good as the ones I saw in magazines, but once I layered the cheeses, added a few fruits, and tucked in crackers and prosciutto, I realized there’s really no wrong way to do it. My family devoured it before dinner even started, and now it’s a staple at almost every celebration. If you enjoy creating festive food centerpieces, you might also like my Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie with Kids, July 4th Vertical Charcuterie Board, or Christmas Chocolate Bundt Cake with Chocolate Frosting—each one makes any gathering extra special.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Cheese boards are the ultimate no-cook solution when you want something impressive without the fuss. They work for holidays, birthdays, wine nights, or even just a quiet Friday evening at home. What I love is how flexible they are—you can swap ingredients for whatever you have on hand, and it still turns out beautiful.
Another reason I rely on them so much is how interactive they are. Guests love building their own little combinations, pairing cheeses with jams or fruit, and discovering new flavor combos. It feels less formal than plated appetizers and more like a shared experience.
For more simple entertaining ideas, check out my Bagel Brunch Board, my Fruit and Vegetable Board for Playdates, or my Valentine’s Charcuterie Board. They’re proof that you don’t need to cook a single thing to make something memorable. You may also enjoy my Hot Chocolate Bar and Grilled Mexican Street Corn Salad for other interactive foods everyone loves.
Watch how I make this recipe
Tools That Make It Easier
Having the right tools on hand makes cheese board assembly so much easier:
- Large wooden or marble board: The foundation for arranging everything.
- Small bowls or ramekins: For honey, preserves, and olives.
- Cheese knives: Essential for slicing and serving different cheese textures.
- Small spoons: For honey and preserves.
- Serving tongs or picks: Handy for guests to grab meats and fruits.
- Napkins or kitchen towel: For presentation and easy cleanup.
What You’ll Need From Your Pantry
Here’s the lineup from this particular board:
- Cheeses: sliced gouda, a wedge of blue cheese, and manchego.
- Meats: thin slices of prosciutto.
- Fruits: red grapes, fresh strawberries, blueberries, and crisp apple slices.
- Crackers: buttery rounds and salted rectangular crackers.
- Extras: olives, honey, and berry preserves.
This mix gives you a balance of sweet, salty, creamy, crunchy, and tangy—all the textures and flavors that make each bite interesting.
If you love mixing sweet and savory, you’ll also enjoy my Chocolate Dipped Strawberries or Sugared Cranberries and Rosemary—both pair beautifully with cheese boards. You could also try my Fruit S’mores or Watermelon Popsicles with Chocolate Drizzle and Watermelon Bites for more sweet, fruity pairings.
Before You Start: My Quick Tip
- I always estimate about 2–3 ounces of cheese per person, but I secretly add a little extra—because let’s be honest, who stops at just one slice?
- If you’re prepping ahead, slice the apples last or brush them lightly with lemon juice to keep them from browning.
- To save on cost, I often buy wedges of cheese at Costco and slice them myself instead of buying pre-sliced.
- I also like to sneak in something unexpected like a piece of dark chocolate or a handful of candied nuts—it always gets people talking.
If you’re curious about how I keep fruit fresh longer, I share my method in 4 Ways How to Keep Strawberries Fresh—a total lifesaver for boards like this. Since apples are also included, you may find How to Slice Apples or How to Keep Apple Slices from Browning especially helpful.
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Let’s Make It Together
- Anchor with bowls: I always start by placing the bowls of honey, preserves, and olives first. It helps guide the rest of the layout.
- Add cheeses: I like fanning out slices of gouda and manchego, and I keep the blue cheese near fruit since it pairs so well.
- Arrange meats: Prosciutto is one of my favorites because it folds into those pretty little ribbons.
- Crackers next: I alternate round and rectangular crackers to break up the shapes.
- Pile on fruit: Grapes draped over the crackers, strawberries tucked into corners, blueberries scattered in the middle—fruit adds so much color.
- Fill gaps: This is my secret for making boards look full and abundant. A few extra grapes or crackers in the empty spots make all the difference.
For tips on arranging food in an eye-catching way, you might like my post on 3 Ways Camera Setup for Tasty-Style Video Recipes—it has lots of ideas for making food look gorgeous. For more food styling and prep advice, check out Tools and Equipment for Perfect Cut Out Cookies or Cupcake Tools and Equipment.
Recipe variations
- Swap prosciutto for salami or smoked turkey.
- Add soft cheeses like brie or goat cheese for more creaminess.
- Toss in roasted almonds, walnuts, or pecans for crunch.
- Try seasonal fruits—think figs in the fall or watermelon in the summer.
And if you’re into seasonal boards, don’t miss my 4th of July Charcuterie Board, Halloween Charcuterie Board, and Easter Charcuterie Board—each one has its own festive twist. You can also pair cheese boards with savory bakes like Spicy Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins or sweet treats such as Soft and Chewy Oatmeal Cookies.
Storage Tips
If you have leftovers from your cheese board, here’s how to keep everything fresh:
- Cheese: Wrap hard cheeses in parchment or wax paper, then loosely in plastic wrap. Soft cheeses should be stored in airtight containers. Use within 3–5 days.
- Meats: Store prosciutto or salami slices in an airtight container in the fridge and enjoy within 2–3 days.
- Fruit: Grapes and berries can be stored in their original containers in the refrigerator. Apple slices will keep best if brushed with lemon juice before refrigerating.
- Crackers: Keep crackers in a sealed bag or airtight container at room temperature to stay crisp.
- Honey & Preserves: Store covered in small jars at room temperature (honey) or in the fridge (preserves).
When ready to enjoy again, simply refresh the board by rearranging ingredients and adding a few fresh items if needed.
Final Thoughts
A cheese board is more than just an appetizer—it’s a centerpiece, a conversation starter, and a chance to be creative. No two boards ever look the same, and that’s what makes them special. The next time you want something simple yet stunning, try this cheese board. Pour a glass of wine, gather around the table, and watch how quickly it disappears.
Cheese board
Video
Ingredients
Cheeses
- Gouda cheese sliced
- Blue cheese wedge
- Manchego cheese sliced
Meats
Fruits
- Red grapes
- Strawberries
- Blueberries
- Apples sliced thin
Extras
- Green and black olives (with garlic & pimento)
- Honey
- Berry preserves
Instructions
- Place small bowls of honey, berry preserves, and olives onto the board. Spread them out to anchor your layout.
- Slice and fan out the gouda and manchego on opposite sides of the board. Place the blue cheese wedge near the fruit for pairing.
- Create rows of round butter crackers and rectangular salted crackers for variety.
- Fold prosciutto into loose ribbons and tuck them alongside the cheese slices.
- Pile grapes, strawberries, blueberries, and apple slices around the cheeses and crackers for color and freshness.
- Use small fruit clusters or extra crackers to fill any open spaces, making the board look abundant.
- Add utensils, napkins, and maybe a drizzle stick for honey if you’d like extra sweetness.
Notes
- Mix textures: creamy cheese, crunchy crackers, juicy fruit.
- Balance flavors: sweet fruits, salty meats, tangy cheeses.
- Keep it colorful: a mix of reds, greens, yellows, and purples makes it visually stunning.
- Plan for portions: 2–3 ounces of cheese per person is a good rule of thumb.
From My Kitchen to Yours
More charcuterie board ideas
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Food Photography & Video Tips from My Studio
Here’s a peek at the tools, gear, and camera setups I use to film my recipe videos and photograph food at home. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of different setups, and now I’m sharing what actually works for me—whether I’m filming overhead shots for YouTube or styling still photos for my blog. If you’re curious about how I create the content you see here, these posts are a great place to start.
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