Santas Beard Hat Board (Print Version)

A festive board with creamy cheeses and cured meats crafted for holiday gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Beard

01 - 7 oz brie cheese, sliced
02 - 7 oz goat cheese, crumbled
03 - 5 oz white cheddar, cubed
04 - 5 oz mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
05 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, shaped into small balls (optional)
06 - 7 oz assorted white crackers (rice crackers, water crackers, etc.)

→ Hat

07 - 5 oz sliced Genoa salami
08 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, rolled
09 - 3.5 oz pepperoni slices
10 - 2 large roasted red bell peppers, sliced into strips
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes or mini red peppers

→ Garnishes

12 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
13 - 1 black olive

# How To:

01 - On a large wooden board or platter, outline a triangle at the top for the hat and a rounded shape below for the beard.
02 - Fill the bottom half generously with brie slices, crumbled goat cheese, white cheddar cubes, and halved mozzarella balls to mimic a fluffy beard. Insert cream cheese balls throughout for additional texture.
03 - Place rows of assorted white crackers at the base and sides of the beard section.
04 - Layer slices of Genoa salami and pepperoni within the triangle, overlapping to create a rich red appearance. Add rolled prosciutto and roasted red pepper strips for color and variety.
05 - Place cherry tomatoes or mini red peppers at the tip and along the hat for vibrant accents.
06 - Use fresh rosemary sprigs to outline both the hat and beard sections for a festive touch.
07 - Position the black olive at the tip of the hat to represent Santa’s pom-pom.
08 - Present immediately, replenishing serving components as needed throughout the gathering.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely showstopping but takes just twenty minutes to assemble—no cooking required, which means you can spend your holiday actually enjoying family instead of stressed in the kitchen
  • Everyone at the table gets involved in the conversation around it, asking which cheese is which and reaching for the perfect combination of meat and cracker, making it as much about connection as it is about eating
  • You can customize it completely based on what you have on hand or dietary needs, so there's no pressure to find exact ingredients
02 -
  • The order matters more than you'd think—if you arrange crackers first, the cheeses will shift as you layer; if you arrange soft cheeses last, you have a clean palette and they'll stay exactly where you put them looking pristine
  • Bring hard cheeses to room temperature for about thirty minutes before assembling; cold cheese is harder to arrange and doesn't show off its true flavor or creamy texture when guests eat it
  • The black olive pom-pom will roll if the board isn't level, so check before guests arrive and place it last, right before service
03 -
  • Use a wooden board rather than ceramic or glass—the warmth of wood complements the creams and reds beautifully, and it feels more natural and inviting to guests
  • Arrange everything on the bias—tilted diagonals look more intentional and elegant than straight rows, and it naturally guides the eye through the whole composition
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