Thanksgiving Leaf Fall Display (Print view)

Autumn snack board with leaf-shaped cheeses, crackers, dried fruits, nuts in cascading fall hues.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese
02 - 5.3 oz gouda cheese
03 - 5.3 oz brie cheese

→ Crackers

04 - 7 oz whole wheat crackers
05 - 5.3 oz multigrain crackers

→ Dried Fruits

06 - 2.8 oz dried apricots
07 - 2.8 oz dried mango
08 - 2.1 oz dried cranberries
09 - 2.1 oz dried figs

→ Nuts

10 - 2.1 oz pecan halves
11 - 2.1 oz walnuts

→ Fresh Fruits & Garnishes

12 - 1 small apple, thinly sliced
13 - 1 small pear, thinly sliced
14 - Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Using small leaf-shaped cookie cutters, cut slices of cheddar, gouda, and brie into assorted leaf shapes.
02 - Press the same cutters gently into large crackers and dried apricots, mango, and figs to form leaf shapes; reserve small scraps for snacking or garnish.
03 - Randomly arrange leaf-shaped cheeses, crackers, and dried fruits across a large wooden board or platter, creating a scattered falling leaves effect with warm brown, red, and orange hues.
04 - Fill gaps with pecan halves, walnuts, dried cranberries, and fanned fresh apple and pear slices to add texture and color.
05 - Garnish with rosemary sprigs for a fresh aromatic touch. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning—guests always photograph it before touching a single piece, making you feel like a culinary artist.
  • Everything can be prepped ahead, leaving you stress-free while others are cooking in cramped kitchens.
  • It's naturally vegetarian and can easily accommodate nut-free guests with simple swaps, so nobody feels left out.
02 -
  • Cold cheese doesn't cut cleanly into shapes—this is the lesson I learned the hard way on my first attempt when I had shattered cheddar everywhere and considered using the pieces for a grilled cheese sandwich instead.
  • The order of arrangement matters: cheese and crackers first create your foundation, then fruits and nuts fill the landscape, and fresh herbs finish the composition as aromatic accents that ground everything.
03 -
  • Wet your cookie cutter briefly before each press—just a quick dip in cool water helps shapes release cleanly from both cheese and dried fruits without sticking.
  • Arrange your board on a wooden surface rather than white ceramic or glass, which makes the warm fall colors glow and photograph like they're lit from within.
Go Back