Santas Beard Hat Board (Printable)

A festive board showcasing creamy cheeses and cured meats shaped like Santa’s beard and hat.

# Ingredient list:

→ 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

# Cooking steps:

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 by arranging brie slices, goat cheese crumbles, cheddar cubes, and halved mozzarella balls to mimic a fluffy beard. Tuck cream cheese balls throughout for extra texture if using.
03 - Place rows of assorted white crackers at the base and sides of the beard section.
04 - In the triangular hat section, layer slices of salami and pepperoni overlapping for a rich red effect. Add rolled prosciutto and strips of roasted red bell pepper for color and variety.
05 - Position 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 sections, then place the black olive at the tip of the hat as Santa's pom-pom.
07 - Serve immediately and replenish as necessary during your gathering.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes just 20 minutes to assemble, so you'll actually have time to enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • The combination of creamy whites and vibrant reds creates a visual feast that screams holiday spirit without requiring fancy culinary skills
  • It's endlessly customizable—swap cheeses, add your favorite meats, or go fully vegetarian depending on your crowd's preferences
02 -
  • Remove your cheeses from the fridge about 30 minutes before assembly—room temperature cheese spreads and blends together like actual beard, while cold cheese stays separate and looks disconnected
  • The black olive pom-pom needs to balance on top without rolling away, so place it in a slight divot or nestle it between two pieces of cheese; this one detail takes it from 'pretty board' to 'a character'
03 -
  • Slice your brie at a slight angle rather than straight across—it catches light differently and looks more intentional and artistic
  • Keep all your components cold until the very last moment before assembly, then work quickly; the contrast between cold cheese and room temperature during serving is part of what makes this so delicious
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