Gilded Acorn Nut Board (Printer-friendly)

Nut-forward board with gold almonds, acorn-shaped cheese, dried fruits, and assorted crackers for elegant gatherings.

# Required Ingredients:

→ Nuts

01 - 120 grams whole almonds
02 - 60 grams pecans
03 - 60 grams walnuts
04 - 60 grams hazelnuts

→ Gold-Sprinkled Almonds

05 - 60 grams whole almonds
06 - 1/2 teaspoon edible gold dust or gold leaf flakes

→ Cheeses

07 - 225 grams sharp cheddar cheese block
08 - 225 grams gouda cheese block
09 - 225 grams brie or camembert cheese (optional)

→ Accompaniments

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

→ Crackers & Bread

15 - 100 grams assorted crackers (gluten-free if needed)
16 - 1 small baguette, sliced

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place 60 grams almonds in a small bowl. Lightly mist or brush with water to help the gold dust adhere. Sprinkle edible gold dust evenly and toss gently to coat. Set aside to dry for a few minutes.
02 - Slice cheddar and gouda into 6 mm thick slabs. Use a small acorn-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Optionally, add details or create two-tone effects by stacking cheese layers with a paring knife.
03 - Place all nuts including gold-sprinkled almonds, pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts into small clusters or bowls on a large board or platter.
04 - Distribute acorn-shaped cheese pieces around the board, adding cubes or wedges of brie or camembert for variety.
05 - Arrange dried apricots, dried figs, red grapes, and apple slices in small piles or fan shapes to enhance color and freshness.
06 - Place honey or fig jam in a small serving dish with a spoon or honey dipper alongside the board.
07 - Fill remaining spaces with assorted crackers and baguette slices to complete the presentation.
08 - Serve immediately, or cover lightly and refrigerate for up to one hour before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • Gold-dusted almonds catch the light and make guests actually gasp—it's theatrical without tasting expensive.
  • Acorn-shaped cheese turns an appetizer into conversation, especially when people realize you cut them by hand.
  • The whole thing comes together in 25 minutes, meaning you can impress without spending your evening stressed in the kitchen.
  • It works for any season or occasion, from holiday parties to intimate weeknight gatherings.
02 -
  • Water is your friend when applying gold dust—it's the adhesive that makes it stick instead of sliding off the almonds like makeup on a sweaty face.
  • Cut your cheese when it's very cold; room-temperature cheese will crumble instead of cleanly separating, and your acorns will lose their sharp edges.
  • Arrange your board only 30 minutes to 1 hour before guests arrive; the longer it sits, the more the apples brown and the more the fresh elements wilt or weep onto the cheese.
03 -
  • If you don't have an acorn cutter, use a small leaf cutter, star, or even a small knife to cut wedges and call it rustic charm—the intention matters more than perfection.
  • Keep extra nuts and dried fruit on hand to refill gaps as guests eat; a full board always looks more inviting than a picked-over one.
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