Gilded Acorn Nut Board (Print Version)

Nut and cheese spread with gold almonds and acorn-shaped cutouts for festive gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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

# Steps to Follow:

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 6 mm thick slabs. Use a small acorn-shaped cookie cutter to cut out acorn shapes. Optionally, add detail with a paring knife or stack cheese layers for a two-tone effect.
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 cheese cutouts evenly around the board, interspersed with cubes or wedges of brie or camembert for texture variety.
05 - Arrange dried apricots, figs, grapes, and apple slices in small piles or fan shapes to enhance color and freshness.
06 - Place honey or fig jam in a small serving dish with a spoon or honey dipper.
07 - Fill remaining spaces with assorted crackers and baguette slices to complete the arrangement.
08 - Serve immediately, or cover lightly and refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It requires zero cooking but feels impressively sophisticated, perfect for when you want to shine without stress.
  • The gold-dusted almonds and acorn-shaped cheeses become natural conversation starters that guests actually photograph.
  • You can prep everything ahead, leaving you calm and present during your gathering instead of stuck in the kitchen.
02 -
  • Let your apples and other cut items sit briefly in lemon juice before arranging, or they'll oxidize and turn brown, ruining the visual magic you've created.
  • The gold dust only adheres if the almonds are slightly damp—completely dry almonds won't hold it, and wet ones will clump it together into useless flakes.
03 -
  • If you can't find an acorn-shaped cutter, use a small star or heart shape instead—it's the intentionality of the cutout that matters, not the exact shape.
  • Toast your baguette slices lightly under the broiler for 90 seconds, and they'll stay crisp on the board far longer than soft bread.
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