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Easy Holiday Charcuterie Board: Best Budget Crowd-Pleaser

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This easy holiday charcuterie board is designed to feed a crowd on a budget without looking like you cut corners. It’s the perfect appetizer for Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s Eve, or any holiday gathering, featuring roasted grapes, budget-friendly cheeses, and a honey cream cheese spread.

Ingredients

  • Sharp cheddar cheese, 8 ounces (225g), sliced or cubed
  • Cream cheese, 8 ounces (225g), softened
  • Gouda or Edam, 6 ounces (170g), sliced
  • Salami, 8 ounces (225g), thinly sliced
  • Pepperoni, 6 ounces (170g), sliced
  • Red seedless grapes, 1 cup (150g)
  • Green apples, 2 medium, sliced
  • Dried apricots or figs, ½ cup (80g)
  • Cherry tomatoes, 1 cup (150g)
  • Assorted crackers, 8 ounces (225g)
  • Baguette, 1 small, sliced and lightly toasted
  • Mixed nuts, 1 cup (140g)
  • Olives, ½ cup (75g)
  • Honey, 3 tablespoons (60ml)
  • Dark chocolate, 3 ounces (85g), broken into pieces

Instructions

  1. Roast the grapes: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Wash and dry ½ cup of the grapes, spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes until wrinkled and jammy. Let cool.
  2. Prepare the cream cheese spread: Take cream cheese out of fridge 20 minutes before starting to soften. Place in a small bowl and drizzle with 2 tablespoons of honey. Sprinkle with flaky salt if desired.
  3. Slice the cheeses and fruits: Cut cheddar into thin slices or ½-inch cubes. Slice Gouda into thin triangles. Core and slice apples into thin wedges, toss with lemon juice. Halve large dried apricots.
  4. Arrange the board: Place honey-drizzled cream cheese bowl and olive bowl on board first. Arrange sliced cheeses in small clusters. Fold salami and pepperoni into quarters or roll into cylinders near cheeses. Add roasted grapes, fresh grapes, apple slices, and cherry tomatoes in small groups. Fill gaps with crackers, baguette slices, and nuts. Tuck dark chocolate pieces in a few spots.
  5. Add final touches: Drizzle extra honey over Gouda if desired. Sprinkle roasted grapes with fresh thyme or rosemary (optional). Check board from all angles and adjust for color and texture balance.
  6. Serve immediately or chill briefly: Best served at room temperature. If making ahead, cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate up to 2 hours. Remove 20 minutes before serving. Do not refrigerate roasted grapes.

Notes

The roasted grapes are a secret weapon—they look fancy but cost the same as regular grapes. For best results, don’t overthink the arrangement; group items naturally in clusters of color. Use the ‘rule of three’ for each section (odd numbers look more natural). Store crackers separately until just before serving to keep them crisp. The board can be assembled up to 2 hours ahead and refrigerated, but add roasted grapes right before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: holiday charcuterie board, budget charcuterie, easy appetizer, Christmas appetizer, party platter, cheese board, grazing board

Find it online: https://ovenmila.com/easy-holiday-charcuterie-board-best-budget-crowd-pleaser/