Save to Pinterest A vibrant, seasonal grazing tray arranged in the shape of a maple leaf, featuring an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, nuts, and crackers—perfect for autumn entertaining.
This grazing tray has become my go-to for autumn gatherings because it's easy to prepare and impresses guests every time.
Ingredients
- Cheeses: 100 g aged cheddar, cubed, 100 g brie, sliced, 100 g goat cheese, crumbled
- Charcuterie (omit for vegetarian option): 100 g prosciutto, folded, 100 g salami, sliced, 100 g smoked turkey, rolled
- Fruits: 1 cup red grapes, halved, 1 cup green grapes, halved, 1 apple, sliced, 1 pear, sliced, ½ cup dried cranberries
- Nuts & Extras: ½ cup maple-glazed pecans, ½ cup walnuts, ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup fig jam
- Crackers & Bread: 1 baguette, sliced, 200 g assorted crackers
- Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs, Edible flowers (optional)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- On a large board or tray, outline the shape of a maple leaf using parchment paper or by arranging crackers and bread as a guide.
- Step 2:
- Arrange cheeses evenly throughout the maple leaf shape.
- Step 3:
- Artfully fold and place charcuterie slices around the cheeses, filling in gaps.
- Step 4:
- Fill in spaces with grapes, apple and pear slices, and dried cranberries for color contrast.
- Step 5:
- Scatter maple-glazed pecans and walnuts throughout the tray.
- Step 6:
- Place small bowls of honey and fig jam on the board.
- Step 7:
- Add crackers and baguette slices along the edges and within the shape to maintain the maple leaf outline.
- Step 8:
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers, if desired.
- Step 9:
- Serve immediately, replenishing items as needed.
Save to Pinterest This tray has created many memorable autumn family moments as we gather to enjoy food and conversation around it.
Required Tools
Large serving board or tray Small bowls for honey and jam Cheese knives Paring knife
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (cheese) Tree nuts (pecans walnuts) Gluten (crackers bread) Some charcuterie may contain allergens like mustard check labels For nut-free or gluten-free needs substitute as appropriate and ensure all packaged items are labeled allergen-free
Nutritional Information
Calories ~320 Total Fat 17 g Carbohydrates 32 g Protein 12 g
Save to Pinterest This grazing tray is a quick elegant way to impress guests and celebrate the flavors of fall.
Common Questions
- → How do I prevent apple and pear slices from browning?
Toss the slices in a bit of lemon juice before arranging to maintain their fresh appearance.
- → Can I make this tray suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, simply omit the charcuterie and add extra cheeses or marinated vegetables to keep the tray plentiful.
- → What cheeses pair well on this tray?
Aged cheddar, brie, and goat cheese provide a balanced mix of sharp, creamy, and tangy flavors ideal for this setup.
- → How should the tray be assembled to keep the maple leaf shape?
Use parchment paper or layer crackers and bread slices as a frame, then arrange ingredients inside and along the edges accordingly.
- → What beverages complement this grazing tray?
Dry Riesling or sparkling cider pairs beautifully, enhancing the autumnal flavors and balancing sweetness.