Heart Romance Charcuterie Board (Printable)

Visually striking heart-shaped board with cheeses, meats, fruits, and vibrant dips for an elegant appetizer.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz brie, cut into wedges
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, shaped into small rounds
03 - 3.5 oz manchego, thinly sliced

→ Cured Meats (omit for vegetarian)

04 - 2.8 oz prosciutto, folded
05 - 2.8 oz salami, rolled
06 - 2.1 oz coppa, fanned out

→ Fresh Fruits

07 - 1 cup strawberries, halved
08 - 1 cup raspberries
09 - 1 cup red grapes, halved
10 - ½ cup pomegranate seeds

→ Vegetables

11 - 8–10 mini sweet red peppers, sliced
12 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved

→ Accompaniments

13 - ½ cup pink beet hummus
14 - ½ cup red pepper jelly
15 - ½ cup candied pecans
16 - ½ cup dark chocolate–covered almonds
17 - ¼ cup heart-shaped candies (optional)

→ Crackers & Bread

18 - 1 cup heart-shaped crackers or thinly sliced baguette

# How To Make It:

01 - On a large platter, use parchment paper to create a heart shape or use a heart-shaped tray if available.
02 - Position small bowls of beet hummus and red pepper jelly in the upper curves of the heart.
03 - Distribute the cheeses evenly within the heart, spacing them for balanced visual appeal.
04 - Fold or roll cured meats and arrange them strategically along the heart shape to add texture and accentuate the outline.
05 - Sprinkle strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and pomegranate seeds focusing on vibrant red and pink tones throughout the heart.
06 - Use mini red peppers, halved cherry tomatoes, and candied pecans to fill in empty spaces for fullness.
07 - Place dark chocolate–covered almonds and optional heart-shaped candies to enhance the romantic presentation.
08 - Position crackers and bread slices along the edges or in small piles within the heart to complete the board.
09 - Ensure the board looks lush and abundant by filling any remaining gaps. Serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when really, it only takes twenty-five minutes—the perfect deception for impressing someone special.
  • Everyone finds something they love on this board, from the creamy brie to the crispy candied pecans, so there's no awkward moment of someone having nothing to eat.
  • It's a conversation starter and a centerpiece all at once, turning snack time into an experience.
02 -
  • Arrange this board no more than an hour before serving; after that, some of the softer items will start to weep and lose their visual impact, and that would be heartbreaking.
  • Keep everything except the meats at room temperature or slightly cool—cold cheese tastes muted and loses its creamy magic, which defeats the entire purpose.
  • The heart shape is the soul of this board; make sure it remains visible throughout. When in doubt, arrange in a way that emphasizes that outline rather than filling it in completely.
03 -
  • If you want to get really fancy, cut some of your cheeses with tiny heart-shaped cookie cutters and arrange those pieces strategically throughout—it's a small gesture that makes people know they're loved.
  • Make this board the day before up to the point of adding soft fruits and cured meats, which you should add just before serving; this takes the pressure off and lets you enjoy your guests instead of panicking in the kitchen.
  • Use a heart-shaped tray if you can find one, but don't stress if you can't—parchment paper and a beautiful round platter work just as well, and the heart shape will be obvious once everything is arranged.
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