Santas Beard Hat Board (Print View)

A festive holiday board combining creamy white cheeses and vibrant cured meats for joyful gatherings.

# Components:

→ 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 for decoration
13 - 1 black olive for Santa's pom-pom

# Directions:

01 - On a large wooden board or platter, outline a triangle at the top for the hat and a rounded bottom section for the beard.
02 - Fill the bottom half generously with white cheeses: arrange brie slices, goat cheese crumbles, cheddar cubes, and mozzarella balls to mimic a fluffy beard. Tuck cream cheese balls throughout for extra texture.
03 - Add rows of assorted white crackers at the base and sides of the beard section.
04 - For the hat, layer slices of salami and pepperoni in the triangle, overlapping for a rich red effect. Add rolled prosciutto and strips of roasted red pepper for color and variety.
05 - Place cherry tomatoes or mini red peppers at the tip and along the hat for added brightness.
06 - Use fresh rosemary sprigs to outline the hat and beard for a festive touch.
07 - Place the black olive at the tip of the hat as Santa's pom-pom.
08 - Serve immediately, replenishing as needed during your gathering.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely show-stopping but takes barely twenty minutes to assemble—no cooking required, just creative arranging
  • Everyone eats it, from the pickiest cheese lovers to those who want prosciutto draped over everything
  • It's become my secret weapon for making any gathering feel special without stressing over a hot stove
02 -
  • Take everything out of the fridge about 15 minutes before serving if possible. Warm cheese tastes better, slices more easily, and looks more inviting. This was a lesson learned the hard way after serving cold, stiff brie to very disappointed guests.
  • Arrange your board no more than 2 hours before serving. Crackers can get soft in a moist environment, and cream cheese balls can lose their shape. I've learned that a beautiful board that sits around actually deteriorates in appeal as the gathering goes on.
  • The black olive truly makes the design click. Without it, people see a pretty board. With it, they immediately understand it's Santa and break into smiles. Never skip this detail.
03 -
  • Arrange your board on the largest surface you have—people instinctively gather around more generous displays, and bigger boards look more impressive and are actually easier to navigate without everything looking picked over
  • Keep small cheese knives nearby and label nothing—the mystery and self-discovery of tasting unfamiliar cheeses is part of the joy of a board like this. People become explorers rather than just consumers.
Return