Gilded Acorn Nut Board (Printable)

Nut-forward board with gold almonds, acorn-shaped cheeses, dried fruits, and assorted crackers for elegant occasions.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Nuts

01 - 1 cup whole almonds
02 - 1/2 cup pecans
03 - 1/2 cup walnuts
04 - 1/2 cup hazelnuts

→ Gold-Sprinkled Almonds

05 - 1/2 cup whole almonds
06 - 1/2 teaspoon edible gold dust or gold leaf flakes

→ Cheeses

07 - 8 oz sharp cheddar cheese block
08 - 8 oz gouda cheese block
09 - 8 oz brie or camembert (optional)

→ Accompaniments

10 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
11 - 1/2 cup dried figs, halved
12 - 1/2 cup seedless red grapes
13 - 1/2 cup fresh apple slices
14 - 1/4 cup honey or fig jam

→ Crackers & Bread

15 - 1 cup assorted crackers (gluten-free if needed)
16 - 1 small baguette, sliced

# How To Make It:

01 - Place 1/2 cup almonds in a small bowl. Lightly mist or brush with water to help gold dust adhere. Sprinkle edible gold dust evenly and toss gently to coat. Set aside to dry for a few minutes.
02 - Slice cheddar and gouda into 1/4-inch thick slabs. Use a small acorn-shaped cookie cutter to cut out shapes. Optionally, add detail or a two-tone effect by stacking cheese layers with a paring knife.
03 - Place all nuts, including gold-sprinkled almonds, pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts, in small clusters or bowls on a large board or platter.
04 - Arrange acorn-shaped cheese cutouts around the board, interspersed with cubes or wedges of brie or camembert for texture variety.
05 - Distribute dried apricots, figs, grapes, and apple slices in small piles or fan shapes to enhance color and freshness.
06 - Serve honey or fig jam in a small dish with a spoon or honey dipper.
07 - Place assorted crackers and sliced baguette to fill in gaps on the board.
08 - Serve immediately, or cover lightly and refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required, but looks like you spent hours planning it.
  • The gold-dusted almonds make people pause and smile before they even taste anything.
  • You can swap ingredients freely and nobody notices—it always feels intentional.
  • Comes together in 25 minutes but tastes like you've been thinking about it for days.
02 -
  • Water helps the gold dust stick, but too much makes the almonds clump—a light mist is all you need.
  • Cut your acorn cheeses as close to serving time as possible so the edges stay sharp and defined.
  • Apple slices brown quickly, so slice them last or brush them lightly with lemon juice if you're prepping ahead.
  • Your board doesn't need to be perfectly symmetrical; the human, slightly asymmetrical arrangement is what makes it feel real.
03 -
  • Make this board in a cool kitchen if possible; warm rooms cause cheese to soften and lose its shape quickly.
  • If gold dust feels intimidating, try edible gold leaf flakes instead—they're more forgiving and create the same luxe effect.
  • Buy your cheeses from a real cheese counter if you can; they'll slice you perfect blocks and sometimes have suggestions for seasonal swaps.
  • The best boards are made with ingredients you actually enjoy eating, so don't feel bound by these exact choices.
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