Gilded Acorn Nut Board (Printable)

Nut-forward board with gold almonds and acorn cheese shapes ideal for elegant social occasions.

# What You Need:

→ Nuts

01 - 1 cup whole almonds
02 - 1/2 cup pecans
03 - 1/2 cup walnuts
04 - 1/2 cup hazelnuts

→ Gold-Sprinkled Almonds

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

→ Cheeses

07 - 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese block
08 - 8 ounces gouda cheese block
09 - 8 ounces brie or camembert cheese (optional)

→ Accompaniments

10 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
11 - 1/2 cup dried figs, halved
12 - 1/2 cup seedless red grapes
13 - 1/2 cup fresh apple slices
14 - 1/4 cup honey or fig jam

→ Crackers & Bread

15 - 1 cup assorted crackers (gluten-free if preferred)
16 - 1 small baguette, sliced

# Directions:

01 - Place 1/2 cup almonds in a small bowl, lightly mist or brush with water to help gold dust adhere. Sprinkle edible gold dust evenly, tossing gently to coat. Set aside to dry for a few minutes.
02 - Slice cheddar and gouda into 1/4-inch thick slabs. Use a small acorn-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes. Optionally, add detail or two-tone effect by stacking cheese layers with a paring knife.
03 - Place all nuts, including gold-sprinkled almonds, pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts, in small clusters or bowls on a large board or platter.
04 - Distribute acorn-shaped cheese cutouts across the board, interspersed with cubes or wedges of brie or camembert for texture contrast.
05 - Arrange dried apricots, figs, grapes, and apple slices in small piles or fan shapes to add color and freshness.
06 - Place honey or fig jam in a small serving dish accompanied by a spoon or honey dipper.
07 - Fill remaining spaces with assorted crackers and sliced baguette to complete the presentation.
08 - Serve immediately or cover lightly and refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It looks breathtakingly elegant but takes just 25 minutes, so you can actually pull it off on a weeknight.
  • The acorn-shaped cheese cutouts feel playful and intentional without requiring any special skills.
  • Everyone finds something they love because the flavors dance between nutty, creamy, sweet, and bright.
  • Gold dust makes it feel celebratory without being pretentious.
02 -
  • Cut your cheese just before assembling, or it will start to sweat and lose its shape, especially if your kitchen is warm.
  • Don't skimp on the acorn cutter quality or use a too-thick slicing knife, because both lead to ragged edges that look less intentional.
  • The gold dust is a whisper, not a shout, so less is genuinely more or it will feel costume-y instead of elegant.
03 -
  • Keep a damp paper towel nearby while you cut and arrange, because cheese naturally sticks to itself and to your knife, and gently wiping your cutter between cuts saves you frustration.
  • Edible gold dust will look more luxe if you use it sparingly on just a portion of almonds rather than going overboard, because restraint reads as sophistication.
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