Gilded Acorn Nut Board (Print View)

Nut and cheese board with gold-dusted almonds and acorn-shaped cutouts, perfect for elegant entertaining.

# What You'll 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 (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 desired)
16 - 1 small baguette, sliced

# How To Make It:

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 briefly.
02 - Slice cheddar and gouda into 6 mm thick slabs. Use a small acorn-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Optionally, add detail or a two-tone effect by stacking slices 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 the acorn-shaped cutouts around the board, interspersed with cubes or wedges of brie or camembert to provide 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 with a spoon or honey dipper alongside the board.
07 - Fill any 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 Insights:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing when honestly it takes just 25 minutes, making you look like a hosting genius.
  • The combination of textures and flavors means every guest finds something they genuinely love without you needing to ask questions.
  • Acorn-shaped cheese cutouts spark conversation and bring an unexpected whimsical touch that elevates the entire vibe.
02 -
  • Slice your cheese blocks thicker than you think you need to, because anything thinner than a quarter-inch will crumble when you cut acorn shapes and ruin the effect you're going for.
  • The edible gold dust only adheres to almonds that have moisture on them; try applying it to completely dry nuts and you'll end up with gold dust everywhere except on your almonds, which I learned the frustrating way.
03 -
  • Quality matters most with the crackers and bread, so choose ones with real flavor and texture rather than bland vehicles for cheese; your guests will notice the difference immediately.
  • Chill your cheese blocks before slicing and cutting shapes, as cold cheese cuts cleaner and holds its form better than room-temperature cheese.
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