Save A festive and dazzling Christmas charcuterie board featuring a selection of artisan cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, nuts, and sweet treats, arranged in a starburst pattern to delight guests at any holiday gathering.
This planche de Noël has been a hit at every holiday party I've hosted, bringing smiles and plenty of compliments from guests.
Ingredients
- Cheeses: 150 g Brie cheese, sliced, 150 g Comté, cubed, 100 g Bleu d&Auvergne, crumbled, 100 g Chèvre (goat cheese), sliced
- Cured Meats: 120 g Jambon de Bayonne, thinly sliced, 120 g Rosette de Lyon, sliced, 100 g Saucisson sec, sliced
- Fresh Fruits: 1 bunch red grapes, 1 ripe pear, sliced, 1 ripe apple, sliced, 1 handful fresh figs, halved (or dried figs if out of season), 1 handful pomegranate seeds
- Nuts & Extras: 60 g roasted almonds, 60 g walnuts, 40 g pistachios, shelled, 40 g dried cranberries
- Accompaniments: 1 small jar fig or cherry jam, 1 French baguette, sliced, 1 small box assorted crackers, 1 small pot honey
- Sweets (optional for festive touch): 50 g dark chocolate, broken into shards, 50 g candied orange peel, Festive star-shaped cookies (optional)
Instructions
- Arrange Cheeses:
- Arrange the cheeses at the center of a large wooden board in the shape of a star, alternating types for color and texture contrast.
- Fan Meats:
- Fan out the cured meats around the cheeses, creating rays to mimic a starburst pattern.
- Add Fruits:
- Fill the spaces between meats and cheeses with clusters of grapes, slices of pear and apple, and halved figs. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the fruit for color.
- Add Nuts and Cranberries:
- Add nuts and dried cranberries in small piles around the board, ensuring even distribution for visual appeal and easy snacking.
- Place Jams and Honey:
- Place small bowls or ramekins of jam and honey on the board.
- Arrange Bread and Crackers:
- Arrange sliced baguette and crackers along the edges or in separate baskets.
- Finish with Sweets:
- For a sweet finish, tuck shards of dark chocolate, candied orange peel, and festive cookies into open spaces on the board.
- Serve:
- Serve immediately and encourage guests to mix and match flavors.
Save This board has become a beloved tradition in my family with everyone gathering around to create their perfect bite.
Required Tools
Large wooden or marble serving board, sharp knives for cheese and fruit, small bowls or ramekins, cheese spreaders or small spoons, serving tongs (optional)
Allergen Information
Contains milk (cheese) tree nuts (almonds walnuts pistachios) gluten (baguette crackers) and possible traces of soy (chocolate). Cured meats may contain nitrates/nitrites. Always verify ingredient labels for allergens if serving guests with allergies.
Nutritional Information
Calories 390, Total Fat 23 g, Carbohydrates 28 g, Protein 17 g per serving (estimated for 10 servings)
Save Enjoy crafting your own festive starboard and sharing the joy of the season with friends and family.
Recipe Questions
- → How should I arrange the board?
Place cheeses centrally in a star shape, then arrange cured meats as rays radiating outward. Fill gaps with fruits, nuts, and sweet elements.
- → Can I substitute fresh fruits?
Yes, dried fruits like figs or cranberries can be used seasonally to maintain flavor variety and texture.
- → What are good drink pairings?
Champagne, sparkling wine, or light-bodied red wines complement the rich cheeses and cured meats beautifully.
- → How can I make a vegetarian version?
Omit cured meats and add extra cheeses, roasted vegetables, or marinated olives for variety and flavor.
- → What tools help with assembly?
Use a large serving board, sharp knives for slicing, small bowls for jams and honey, and tongs or spreaders for easy serving.
- → Are there common allergens in this board?
Yes, it contains dairy, tree nuts, gluten, and cured meats which may have nitrates. Check ingredients carefully if allergies are a concern.