Gilded Acorn Nutty Board (Print)

Nut-forward board with gold almonds and acorn-shaped cheese, perfect for elegant occasions or gatherings.

# Components:

→ Nuts

01 - 150 grams whole almonds
02 - 60 grams pecans
03 - 60 grams walnuts
04 - 60 grams hazelnuts

→ Gold-Sprinkled Almonds

05 - 75 grams whole almonds
06 - 0.5 gram edible gold dust or gold leaf flakes

→ Cheeses

07 - 227 grams sharp cheddar cheese block
08 - 227 grams gouda cheese block
09 - 227 grams brie or camembert cheese (optional)

→ Accompaniments

10 - 70 grams dried apricots
11 - 70 grams dried figs, halved
12 - 70 grams seedless red grapes
13 - 70 grams fresh apple slices
14 - 60 milliliters honey or fig jam

→ Crackers & Bread

15 - 120 grams assorted crackers (gluten-free if needed)
16 - 1 small baguette, sliced

# Directions:

01 - Place 75 grams almonds in a small bowl. Lightly mist or brush with water, then evenly sprinkle edible gold dust. Toss gently to coat and set aside to dry for a few minutes.
02 - Slice cheddar and gouda into 6 mm thick slabs. Using a small acorn-shaped cookie cutter, cut out shapes. Optionally, use a paring knife to add detail or stack cheeses for a two-tone effect.
03 - Distribute all nuts, including gold-sprinkled almonds, pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts, in small clusters or bowls on a large board or platter.
04 - Place acorn-shaped cheese cutouts around the board, interspersed with cubes or wedges of brie or camembert for texture variation.
05 - Arrange dried apricots, figs, grapes, and apple slices in small piles or fan shapes to add color and freshness.
06 - Serve honey or fig jam in a small dish with a spoon or honey dipper.
07 - Fill remaining spaces on the board with assorted crackers and sliced baguette.
08 - Present immediately or cover lightly and chill for up to 1 hour before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks stunning on any table without demanding hours in the kitchen, giving you time to actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • The mix of roasted nuts, creamy cheeses, and tart fruits creates a perfect balance of flavors and textures that keeps people reaching back for more.
  • You can customize it completely based on what you have on hand, which means it's forgiving and adaptable to any dietary preference.
02 -
  • Edible gold dust looks stunning but only if you apply it to almonds at the last possible moment; it loses its luster if it sits too long before serving, so do this while guests are arriving.
  • Sliced apples brown quickly once cut, so prepare them no more than 15 minutes before serving, and if you need to do it earlier, toss them lightly in lemon juice to keep them fresh.
  • The key to a beautiful board is odd-numbered groupings and leaving some breathing room; a crowded board looks chaotic, but a board with intentional white space looks designer-curated.
03 -
  • Prep everything the morning of your event except the gold almonds and fresh apple slices, then do final assembly just before guests arrive so nothing has time to wilt or lose its shine.
  • If you can't find an acorn-shaped cookie cutter, use a small leaf-shaped one or even a heart; the shape itself matters less than the intention of making ordinary cheese feel special.
  • Keep a small damp towel nearby while building so you can wipe cheese residue off your hands between touching different items; this prevents flavors from mixing unexpectedly.
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