Gilded Acorn Nut Board (Print View)

Elegant nut and cheese presentation with gold-dusted almonds and whimsical acorn-shaped cheese pieces.

# Components:

→ Nuts

01 - 1 cup whole almonds
02 - ½ cup pecans
03 - ½ cup walnuts
04 - ½ cup hazelnuts

→ Gold-Sprinkled Almonds

05 - ½ cup whole almonds
06 - ½ 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 (optional)

→ Accompaniments

10 - ½ cup dried apricots
11 - ½ cup dried figs, halved
12 - ½ cup seedless red grapes
13 - ½ cup fresh apple slices
14 - ¼ cup honey or fig jam

→ Crackers & Bread

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

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Place ½ cup almonds in a small bowl. Lightly mist or brush with water to help the 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 ¼-inch thick slabs. Use a small acorn-shaped cookie cutter to cut shapes. Optionally, add detail or create a 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 across a large board or platter.
04 - Distribute the acorn-shaped cheese cutouts around the board, interspersed with cubes or wedges of brie or camembert for texture contrast.
05 - Place dried apricots, figs, grapes, and apple slices in small piles or fan shapes to add color and freshness.
06 - Pour honey or fig jam into a small serving dish alongside a spoon or honey dipper.
07 - Fill remaining spaces with assorted crackers and baguette slices.
08 - Serve immediately or cover lightly and refrigerate for up to one hour prior to serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but actually requires no cooking, just thoughtful arrangement and a few minutes of prep.
  • The gold-dusted almonds and acorn cheese cutouts give you that Instagram moment without trying too hard.
  • You can customize every single element to match what you have on hand, making it endlessly adaptable to your pantry.
02 -
  • Don't mist your almonds too much before applying gold dust, or it will pool and create blotchy patches instead of an even, elegant coating.
  • Cut your cheese shapes right before serving, as they can dry out if exposed to air too long, especially thin slices.
  • Assemble your board no more than an hour before serving to keep everything looking fresh, though you can prep all components well in advance.
03 -
  • Warm your cheese slightly before cutting acorns from it—cold cheese tends to crack, while slightly cool cheese (not room temperature) cuts cleanly without shattering.
  • Layer your board on a wooden surface rather than marble or ceramic; wood's natural grain and warmth makes everything look more inviting and expensive than it is.
Return