Festive candy cane board (Printable)

A vibrant holiday board with bold red, white cheeses, meats, fruits, and savory accompaniments in candy cane shape.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or bocconcini
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, optional, sliced or crumbled

→ Meats

03 - 7 oz dry-cured salami, sliced
04 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, optional, rolled

→ Accompaniments

05 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
07 - 1.75 oz pomegranate seeds
08 - 3.5 oz grapes, green or red
09 - Fresh basil or rosemary sprigs for garnish

→ Crackers & Breads

10 - 5.25 oz assorted crackers or gluten-free crackers
11 - 1 small baguette, sliced, optional

→ Dips & Spreads

12 - 1 small bowl whole-grain mustard or honey
13 - 1 small bowl cranberry chutney or fig jam

# Directions:

01 - On a large rectangular or oval serving board, arrange the salami and mozzarella alternately in overlapping slices to form a bold, curving S-shape that resembles a candy cane. Begin at one corner, curve toward the center, then back out to the opposite side.
02 - Fill the curve with goat cheese, if using, and rolled prosciutto to enhance color and texture.
03 - Place halved cherry tomatoes and red bell pepper strips alongside the red sections to add vibrant festive color.
04 - Distribute grapes, pomegranate seeds, and fresh basil or rosemary sprigs around the board for visual appeal and freshness.
05 - Place assorted crackers and baguette slices along the board’s edge or in a separate basket.
06 - Place whole-grain mustard or honey and cranberry chutney or fig jam in small bowls on or near the board.
07 - Tuck in additional sprigs of basil or rosemary over the arrangement for a festive touch. Serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks showstopping but requires zero cooking skills—just arranging and arranging beautifully, which anyone can master.
  • The red and white color scheme practically screams holiday without you having to try too hard, and it becomes an instant conversation starter.
  • You can prep it in 20 minutes, leaving you time to actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Assemble this no more than 30 minutes before serving; cheese can dry out under kitchen lights, and the vegetables will weep if they sit too long. If you're prepping ahead, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and assemble the fresh herbs just before guests arrive.
  • The key to this looking stunning isn't about precision—it's about confident placement and trusting that quality ingredients speak for themselves. I used to overthink every piece; now I arrange boldly and it looks better.
03 -
  • Slice your salami and mozzarella about 30 minutes before serving and keep them at room temperature; cold cheese and cold meat are less flavorful and less fun to eat, and room temperature brings out their best qualities.
  • If you're making this in advance, arrange everything except the herbs and pomegranate seeds first, then add those fresh elements just before guests arrive—it keeps the board looking bright and crisp.
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