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An amazing food platter of Christmas appetizers arranged festively on a table.

Classic Holiday Appetizer Platter

A large wooden cutting board laden with an array of soft brie, firm cheddar, crumbly blue cheese, and semi-hard gouda, accompanied by fanned salami, prosciutto, and pepperoni, creating a diverse and elegant spread perfect for any festive gathering.
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Prep Time 25 minutes
Total Time 25 minutes
Servings 8 people
Calories 450 kcal

Equipment

  • Large Wooden Cutting Board
  • Small Bowls
  • Cheese Spreaders
  • Knives (for slicing/cutting)

Ingredients
  

Cheeses

  • 4 oz soft brie
  • 4 oz firm cheddar (cubed)
  • 4 oz crumbly blue cheese
  • 4 oz semi-hard gouda (sliced)

Cured Meats

  • 3 oz salami (genoa, fanned out)
  • 3 oz prosciutto (loosely folded)
  • 2 oz pepperoni (fanned out)

Cracker & Bread Selection

  • 1 box assorted crackers (water biscuits, sesame, whole grain)
  • 1 small baguette (sliced)

Fresh Fruits

  • 1 cup red grapes (on the vine)
  • 1/2 cup raspberries
  • 1 green apple sliced
  • 1 pear sliced
  • 2-3 fresh figs (halved)

Dried Fruits

  • 1/4 cup dried apricots
  • 1/4 cup dried cranberries

Nuts

  • 1/4 cup almonds (lightly toasted)
  • 1/4 cup walnuts

Olives & Pickles

  • 1/2 cup mixed olives
  • 1/4 cup cornichons

Spreads & Dips

  • 2 tbsp fig jam
  • 2 tbsp honey

Garnishes

  • Fresh rosemary sprigs
  • orange zest

Additional Items

  • 1 large wooden cutting board
  • 2 small bowls for jam/honey
  • 2 cheese spreaders

Instructions
 

Platter Preparation

  • Choose a large, clean, and dry wooden cutting board as your base.
  • Place the two small bowls for fig jam and honey on the board to establish key areas.

Arranging Components

  • Arrange the various cheeses across the board, cutting some into wedges for visual appeal.
  • Artfully arrange the cured meats, fanning out salami and pepperoni and loosely folding prosciutto.
  • Place assorted crackers and sliced baguette, tucking some under cheeses or meats to maximize space.
  • Fill in gaps with fresh fruits like grapes, raspberries, apple and pear slices, and fig halves, and scatter dried apricots and cranberries.
  • Add toasted almonds, walnuts, mixed olives, and cornichons to fill any remaining small spaces.

Finishing Touches & Serving

  • Garnish the platter with fresh rosemary sprigs and a sprinkle of orange zest for aroma and a festive touch.
  • Provide cheese spreaders, small plates, and napkins, and keep extra ingredients on hand for replenishing the platter.

Notes

For best presentation, allow cheeses to reach room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. You can customize the fruit and nut selection based on seasonal availability and personal preference. Using different textures and colors will make your platter more inviting.