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The Best Dessert Charcuterie Board Ideas Inspired By California Grown
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We invite you to celebrate the festive holiday season with our favorite dessert charcuterie board ideas! This holiday dessert idea encourages you to explore your favorite flavors from the Golden State. From almond and pistachio-laced confections that lend an earthy, sweet crunch, to clusters of crisp California table grapes and decadent slices of Chocolate Salami made with California prunes, this festive treat has something for everyone.
Artisanal Elegance: Crafting the Ultimate California Grown Dessert Board.
The first question to ask yourself when planning a showstopping dessert like this one: whether to build a large dessert charcuterie board or a small one. The elements of the board you build will be unique to you, and that’s part of the excitement. No two are ever really alike, but they are guaranteed to all be delicious!
Here are a few things to consider besides size when building a dessert charcuterie board:
- You should consider including a variety of fresh and dried components in your dessert charcuterie board, like juicy California pomegranates, fresh citrus, chewy raisins, figs or prunes.
- Pick at least one and up to three homemade components. A small batch of homemade jam for spreading on crostini with the perfect slice of dessert cheese is a great, simple idea that can come together quickly. If you love making homemade candy and nut brittles for the holidays, they’re perfect for a dessert grazing board like this.
- Not sure what types of cheese to choose? We’ve got ya covered! Aged Gouda, blue cheese, fontina, havarti, mascarpone, fresh ricotta, and brie from California all make wonderful dessert cheeses.
Embracing the Golden State’s Bounty: Unique Dessert Charcuterie Board Ideas for Your Holiday Gathering.
When it comes to building an epic charcuterie board for dessert, the choices can be overwhelming. Here are a few of our favorite California Grown items that we include on almost every board we build.
Pistachios: A Nutty Revelation
Pistachios, a vibrant and nutritious gem, are the heart of California’s agricultural prowess. Grown across 312,000 acres in 22 counties, these nuts are harvested from late August to early October when their shells naturally split open, signaling perfect ripeness. This process is nature’s way of telling us that these little powerhouses are ready to add crunch and color to our charcuterie boards.
Honey: The Golden Touch
California’s diverse honey varietals, from the rich, buttery Avocado honey to the fragrant Orange Blossom, add a sweet, nuanced flavor to our boards. The unique flavors, from floral to smoky, can elevate any dish, making honey a versatile and indispensable addition to your dessert charcuterie creations.
Table Grapes: Jewels of the Vine
California grapes are a staple in the state’s agriculture, bringing a burst of freshness and natural sweetness to our boards. The varying textures and flavors complement the richness of cheeses and other charcuterie components, making them a must-have for any dessert board.
Prunes: The Underrated Stars
Prunes, while often overlooked, are a culinary delight. Originating from the Petit D’Agen French Plum, California prunes are known for their subtle natural sweetness and health benefits, like promoting heart health and stable blood sugar levels. Their versatility in both savory and sweet dishes makes them an ideal component for our dessert boards.
Now that you have a few of our favorite ideas for ingredients to include on a dessert charcuterie board, it’s time that we share a few of our favorite homemade sweets and treats to really put your dessert-themed charcuterie board over the top.
The Best Recipes to Make When Building a Dessert Charcuterie Board.
Trust me when I say that none of the recipes below are hard. In fact, they are all incredibly easy and insanely delicious. A few signature nibbles are all you need to really take your dessert board to the next level. Click on any of the images below to see the recipe.
What Type of Wine Should You Serve with a Dessert Charcuterie Board?
When it comes to what type of wine to serve with your next dessert board, we highly suggest sparkling wine from California. The bright, effervescent bubbles play so nicely with sweet dishes that the combination is hard to resist.
Share your favorite dessert charcuterie board ideas with us by snapping a pic and tagging us on social using #CAGROWN.
Craving more CA Grown goodness? Follow us on Pinterest for fresh and fabulous recipe inspiration!
Dessert Charcuterie Board
Ingredients
- 1-2 bottles Sparkling wine from California. 1 bottle of sparkling wine will pour approximately 6 glasses. Add more bottles as needed to suit your gathering.
Choose two or more fresh/dried fruit and nuts to fill your dessert charcuterie board.
- 2 cups various nuts. California almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are all great choices. Choose only one or use a variety.
- 1 pound table grapes. Choose one variety or multiples to bring lost of color and flavor to your board.
- 1 large pomegranate, broken open to reveal arils.
- 2-3 oranges, mandarins, or other citrus fruit, segmented or sliced into wedges.
- 1 cup dried fruit. California prunes, figs, raisins, or dried apricots are great choices.
Choose one or more of the recipes below to customize your dessert charcuterie board.
- 1 batch Pistachio Almond Honeycomb Candy. Click here for the recipe.
- 1 batch Mandarin & Fig Jam. Click here for the recipe.
- 1 batch Sweet & Salty Pistachio Brittle. Click here for the recipe.
- 1 batch Chocolate Salami from California Prunes. Click here for the recipe.
- 1 batch Honey Roasted Nuts from A Girl Defloured. Click here for the recipe.
Choose one or more types of cheese for your dessert charcuterie board.
- 1-2 types of cheese, depending on how many people you are serving. Aged Gouda, blue cheese, fontina, havarti, mascarpone, fresh ricotta, and brie from California all make wonderful dessert cheeses.
Additional dessert charcuterie elements
- Assorted crackers or crostini
- Assorted charcuterie, such as salami, Mortadella, or any kind you prefer.
Instructions
- Use your favorite cheeseboard or serving platter to assemble the chosen ingredients from the list above. You can use a variety of small bowls and jars for items like nuts, dried fruit, or jam.
- To assemble, place the larger items on your serving vessel first like cheeses, large clusters of grapes, and any special items you made for the board like nut brittle or homemade jam. Fill in any spaces on the board with lose ingredients like nuts, small individual pieces of fresh fruit, or dried fruit.
- Serve with chilled sparkling wine (from California, of course!)