Pin It A vibrant, seasonal grazing tray arranged in the shape of a maple leaf featuring an assortment of cheeses charcuterie fruits nuts and crackers perfect for autumn entertaining
Creating this tray has become my go-to for fall gatherings because it impresses guests and is surprisingly easy to assemble
Ingredients
- Cheeses: 100 g aged cheddar cubed 100 g brie sliced 100 g goat cheese crumbled
- Charcuterie (omit for vegetarian option): 100 g prosciutto folded 100 g salami sliced 100 g smoked turkey rolled
- Fruits: 1 cup red grapes halved 1 cup green grapes halved 1 apple sliced 1 pear sliced ½ cup dried cranberries
- Nuts & Extras: ½ cup maple-glazed pecans ½ cup walnuts ¼ cup honey ¼ cup fig jam
- Crackers & Bread: 1 baguette sliced 200 g assorted crackers
- Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs Edible flowers (optional)
Instructions
- Outline the Maple Leaf Shape:
- On a large board or tray outline the shape of a maple leaf using parchment paper or by arranging crackers and bread as a guide
- Arrange Cheeses:
- Arrange cheeses evenly throughout the maple leaf shape
- Add Charcuterie:
- Artfully fold and place charcuterie slices around the cheeses filling in gaps
- Fill with Fruits:
- Fill in spaces with grapes apple and pear slices and dried cranberries for color contrast
- Add Nuts:
- Scatter maple-glazed pecans and walnuts throughout the tray
- Add Honey and Jam:
- Place small bowls of honey and fig jam on the board
- Add Crackers and Bread:
- Add crackers and baguette slices along the edges and within the shape to maintain the maple leaf outline
- Garnish:
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers if desired
- Serve:
- Serve immediately replenishing items as needed
Pin It My family loves gathering around this tray during fall it sparks great conversation and sharing
Required Tools
Large serving board or tray Small bowls for honey and jam Cheese knives Paring knife
Allergen Information
Contains Milk cheese Tree nuts pecans walnuts Gluten crackers bread Some charcuterie may contain allergens like mustard check labels For nut-free or gluten-free needs substitute as appropriate and ensure all packaged items are labeled allergen-free
Nutritional Information
Calories about 320 Total Fat 17 g Carbohydrates 32 g Protein 12 g per serving
Pin It This grazing tray is a showstopper for fall parties simple to customize and delightful to share
Recipe FAQs
- → How can I keep apple and pear slices fresh?
Toss apple and pear slices in lemon juice to prevent browning and maintain their fresh appearance throughout serving.
- → What are good vegetarian substitutions for the charcuterie?
Replace the charcuterie with marinated vegetables or extra varieties of cheeses to maintain flavor and texture variety.
- → How do I shape the tray into a maple leaf?
Use parchment paper or arrange crackers and bread slices as an outline guide on your board, then layer ingredients within that shape.
- → What nuts add the best flavor to this tray?
Maple-glazed pecans and walnuts provide a sweet and crunchy contrast that complements the creamy and savory elements.
- → Which drinks pair well with this autumn spread?
A dry Riesling or sparkling cider enhances the variety of flavors, balancing the rich cheeses and sweet fruits.
- → Can I prepare this tray ahead of time?
Arrange most items in advance but add delicate garnishes like rosemary and edible flowers just before serving to keep them fresh.