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Wholesome Friendsgiving Charcuterie Board with Fall Fruit

Friendsgiving Charcuterie Board with Fall Fruit - featured image

A quick and easy charcuterie board featuring sharp cheddar, brie, honeycrisp apples, pears, toasted pecans, and a drizzle of honey. Perfect for Friendsgiving or any fall gathering, this board comes together in under 20 minutes and is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, sliced or cubed
  • 8 ounces brie cheese, whole wheel
  • 4 ounces goat cheese log, sliced into rounds (optional)
  • 2 large Honeycrisp apples, thinly sliced
  • 2 ripe but firm Bartlett pears, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup dried figs, halved
  • 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
  • 1 cup pecans, toasted
  • 1/2 cup almonds, raw or roasted
  • 1 box crackers (mix of water crackers and whole wheat)
  • 1 small baguette, sliced and lightly toasted
  • 1/4 cup local honey
  • 23 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • Pinch of sea salt flakes (e.g., Maldon)
  • Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
  • 4 ounces prosciutto, thinly sliced (optional)
  • 1/4 cup fig jam (optional)
  • 2 ounces dark chocolate, shaved or broken into pieces (optional)

Instructions

  1. Toast the nuts: Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add the pecans and almonds, stirring frequently, until fragrant and lightly browned, about 3-4 minutes. Transfer to a plate to cool completely.
  2. Prep the fruit: Wash and dry the apples and pears. Slice them thinly (about 1/4 inch thick) and toss with a squeeze of lemon juice to prevent browning. Halve the dried figs and set aside.
  3. Prepare the cheese: Leave the brie wheel intact. Slice the cheddar into cubes or thin triangles. Slice the goat cheese into rounds about 1/2 inch thick. Let all cheese sit at room temperature for at least 15 minutes before serving.
  4. Arrange the board: Place the brie wheel in the center or slightly off-center. Add small bowls for honey and any jam. Arrange the cheddar cubes and goat cheese rounds around the board, leaving space between them.
  5. Add the fruit: Fan out the apple and pear slices in clusters around the cheese. Scatter the dried figs and pomegranate seeds in small piles.
  6. Fill in the gaps: Add the toasted nuts in small clusters. Place crackers and baguette slices in groups around the board. Do not overcrowd.
  7. Finish with garnishes: Drizzle honey over the brie and goat cheese. Sprinkle a pinch of flaky sea salt over the whole board. Add fresh rosemary sprigs for color and aroma. Crack some black pepper over the pears.
  8. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate. If making ahead, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 4 hours. Let sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.

Notes

Don’t skip the room temperature step for the cheese. Toast nuts fresh for best flavor. Leave about 20% of the board visible for an inviting look. Prep components separately and assemble just before serving for best results.

Nutrition

Keywords: charcuterie board, Friendsgiving, fall fruit, cheese board, appetizer, easy entertaining, holiday party