Thanksgiving Leaf Fall Board (Printable)

A colorful autumn snack board featuring leaf-shaped cheeses, crackers, nuts, and dried fruits for festive entertaining.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese
02 - 5.3 oz gouda cheese
03 - 5.3 oz brie cheese

→ Crackers

04 - 7 oz whole wheat crackers
05 - 5.3 oz multigrain crackers

→ Dried Fruits

06 - 2.8 oz dried apricots
07 - 2.8 oz dried mango
08 - 2.1 oz dried cranberries
09 - 2.1 oz dried figs

→ Nuts

10 - 2.1 oz pecan halves
11 - 2.1 oz walnuts

→ Fresh Fruits & Garnishes

12 - 1 small apple, thinly sliced
13 - 1 small pear, thinly sliced
14 - Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Using small leaf-shaped cookie cutters, cut slices of cheddar, gouda, and brie into assorted leaf shapes.
02 - Press the same cookie cutters gently into large crackers and dried apricots, mango, and figs to create leaf shapes; reserve scraps for snacking or garnish.
03 - Randomly arrange the leaf-shaped cheeses, crackers, and dried fruits across a large wooden board or platter to evoke a cascade of warm brown, red, and orange autumn leaves.
04 - Fill empty spaces with pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, and thinly sliced fresh apple and pear, fanning the fruit slices to enhance texture and color.
05 - Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs for an aromatic touch. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like edible art—guests will think you spent hours in the kitchen when it actually takes less time than a Netflix episode
  • No cooking required means you can prep it while handling other Thanksgiving dishes without stress
  • Everyone finds something they love, whether they're a cheese devotee, a fruit person, or a cracker cruncher
  • It's naturally elegant and festive, making your spread feel restaurant-worthy
02 -
  • Cheese temperature matters more than you think—cold cheese from the fridge will crack and crumble when you cut it, while cheese that's been sitting out for 20 minutes cuts like a dream
  • Those little cookie cutter scraps are your secret stash, not waste; save them for snacking while you arrange, or crumble them as a surprise garnish
  • Fresh fruit will brown if exposed to air, so slice your apples and pears no more than 30 minutes before serving, or toss them in a tiny bit of lemon juice to buy yourself more time
  • A wooden board is worth the investment because it doesn't slide around while you're arranging, and it photographs beautifully in that golden hour before Thanksgiving dinner
03 -
  • Buy leaf-shaped cookie cutters a few sizes larger than you think—small cutters mean tiny little pieces that look elegant but disappear in seconds, while medium ones create satisfying bites and look more substantial
  • Warm your knife under hot water and dry it between cuts if cheese is sticking; this simple step makes every slice look professional and clean
  • If any of your dried fruits feel hard or old, soak them in warm water for five minutes before cutting—they'll soften just enough to cut easily without becoming mushy
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