Easy, flexible, and adorable! This festive appetizer is the perfect little snacking situation for all your holiday get-togethers. Easy to customize for any diet!
Yield: 8
Ingredients
2ounceswhite cheddar1/2 cup; sliced
1pepperoni linksliced; or meatless pepperoni
4ouncesgoat cheesecrumbled
1/2cupfresh raspberries
1cupwhite chocolate covered pretzels
1/2cupsugared or dried cranberries
2ouncesMonterey Jack cheese1/2 cup; cubed
1ouncedry salamiabout 8 slices; or meatless substitute
4ouncescherry 'ciliegine' size mozzarella ballsabout 1/2 cup
Fresh rosemary sprigsfor decorating
Mini candy canesfor decorating
Equipment
1 Wooden board or platter Recommend a minimum of 14" tall by 10" wide
Instructions
Beginning in the lower right corner of your board or platter, arrange a two-inch-tall row with the white cheddar. Add a row of the sliced pepperoni and repeat with the goat cheese and then the raspberries. Continue with the pretzels, creating a slight curve to the left to start the top of the "candy cane." Add the cranberries next to create the top of the candy cane. Add the cubed Monterey Jack cheese curving the opposite way of the pretzels, fold the salami and continue the shorter candy cane curve, and lastly add the mozzarella balls to finish the arrangement. Decorate with sprigs of rosemary and mini candy canes.
Notes
Make-ahead tips
The board is easiest to make right before serving so that the ingredients don't move around or dry out (or, if you're using mozzarella balls, so that they don't form little puddles). However, you could always make the board as-is without the mozzarella or other delicate ingredients, cover carefully with plastic wrap, then add the mozzarella just before serving.
Serving tips
The board can be left out for up to two hours; beyond that it's best to put any leftovers back in the fridge.
Quantity note
Exact amount of ingredients can vary depending on the size of your board or platter and how large you want to make your candy cane charcuterie.
Vegan & Vegetarian Options
Scroll up into the main blog post for tons of ingredient ideas for a vegan or vegetarian version.