Elegant Gilded Edge Board (Printable)

Sophisticated arrangement of cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, and accompaniments on an elegant board’s edge.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 4.2 oz triple-cream Brie, cut into slim wedges
02 - 4.2 oz aged Manchego, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled or sliced
04 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, formed into small rounds

→ Charcuterie

05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, folded into ribbons
06 - 4.2 oz thinly sliced salami
07 - 3.5 oz coppa or bresaola

→ Fresh Fruit

08 - 1 small bunch red grapes
09 - 1 small bunch green grapes
10 - 1 ripe pear, thinly sliced
11 - 1 crisp apple, thinly sliced
12 - 1 small handful dried apricots

→ Accompaniments

13 - 1/4 cup Marcona almonds
14 - 1/4 cup salted pistachios
15 - 1/4 cup Castelvetrano olives
16 - 1/4 cup cornichons
17 - 1/4 cup fig jam or quince paste
18 - Honeycomb or drizzle of honey

→ Crackers & Bread

19 - 1 baguette, thinly sliced and lightly toasted
20 - 1 box assorted crackers

# How-To Steps:

01 - Choose a large, elegant round or oval board with a prominent rim.
02 - Place all cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, accompaniments, and crackers strictly along the outer perimeter, following the board's shape.
03 - Leave the center of the board clear to emphasize its form and create visual drama.
04 - Alternate colors and textures, nesting items closely together around the edge to enhance appeal.
05 - Position ramekins or small bowls with jam, honey, and olives along the perimeter.
06 - Present immediately with cheese knives and tongs for ease of serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning with minimal effort—the empty center is like visual magic that makes your guests think you've spent hours arranging
  • There's something luxurious about serving cheese and charcuterie this way, and you can adjust ingredients based on what's available at your market
  • It works for any occasion, from casual wine nights to your fanciest celebrations, and vegetarian guests feel just as welcome
02 -
  • Room temperature is non-negotiable—cold cheese is muted cheese. Pull everything from the fridge 20-30 minutes before serving; the flavors bloom and become themselves
  • The empty center is actually doing heavy lifting; it's not laziness, it's restraint, and it's what makes this design work where overstuffed boards feel chaotic
  • Slice soft cheeses just before serving and harder cheeses up to 4 hours ahead; the timing matters because some will dry and some will sweat if left too long
  • Arrange by color instinctively—put deep purples near pale yellows, reds next to greens. The board should look naturally balanced, not forced
03 -
  • For a truly festive touch, brush some almonds or pistachios with edible gold leaf just before serving—it catches light and feels genuinely luxurious without being over the top
  • If you're worried about fruit oxidizing, toss apple and pear slices with just a whisper of fresh lemon juice; it preserves color and adds subtle brightness
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