Winter Wonderland Grazing Tray

Featured in: All-American Desserts

This Winter Wonderland grazing tray brings together a vibrant assortment of cheeses, cured meats, fresh and dried fruits, nuts, sweet chocolate treats, and crisp crackers arranged artfully on a large board. It's perfect for holiday celebrations, providing a variety of flavors and textures that delight every guest. Garnished with rosemary and edible flowers, it offers a festive visual appeal.

No cooking is needed, only 25 minutes to prepare a stunning spread. Vegetarian options are easily accommodated by omitting meats and adding extra cheese or roasted vegetables. Tips include pairing with crisp white or light red wine and preventing fruit browning with lemon juice. Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to an hour.

Updated on Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:42:00 GMT
Winter Wonderland Grazing Tray: A stunning board overflowing with cheeses, fruits, and meats, ready for your guests. Save
Winter Wonderland Grazing Tray: A stunning board overflowing with cheeses, fruits, and meats, ready for your guests. | dashofstates.com

A festive, wintry-themed grazing tray featuring a beautiful selection of cheeses, charcuterie, seasonal fruits, nuts, and sweet treats—perfect for holiday gatherings.

This grazing tray has become our holiday centerpiece each year, loved by family and friends alike.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 150 g Brie cheese sliced, 150 g aged Cheddar cubed, 120 g blue cheese crumbled, 100 g goat cheese log sliced into rounds
  • Charcuterie (optional for vegetarian version omit): 120 g prosciutto, 100 g salami sliced, 100 g smoked turkey breast sliced
  • Seasonal Fruits: 1 cup red grapes washed and halved, 1 cup green grapes washed, 1 large pomegranate seeded, 2 pears sliced, 1 apple sliced, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1/2 cup dried apricots
  • Nuts & Savory Snacks: 1/2 cup roasted almonds, 1/2 cup candied pecans, 1/2 cup pistachios (shelled), 1/2 cup marinated olives
  • Sweet Treats: 100 g white chocolate bark broken into pieces, 100 g dark chocolate squares, 1/2 cup mini meringues
  • Crackers & Bread: 200 g assorted crackers, 1 small baguette sliced, 1/2 cup breadsticks
  • Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs, Edible flowers (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
Choose a large wooden board or platter as your base.
Step 2:
Arrange cheese selections evenly around the board spacing them apart for visual appeal.
Step 3:
Fold or roll charcuterie slices and place them in clusters beside cheeses (omit for vegetarian version).
Step 4:
Fill in spaces with fresh and dried fruits fanning out slices for color and accessibility.
Step 5:
Add nuts olives and sweet treats in small piles or in decorative bowls.
Step 6:
Position crackers baguette slices and breadsticks in rows or stacks around the board edges.
Step 7:
Garnish with fresh rosemary and edible flowers for a wintery touch.
Step 8:
Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve (up to 1 hour in advance).
This Winter Wonderland Grazing Tray features an appealing assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, and festive ingredients. Save
This Winter Wonderland Grazing Tray features an appealing assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, and festive ingredients. | dashofstates.com

This has become a holiday tradition our family looks forward to sharing and enjoying together.

Required Tools

Large serving board or platter Small bowls (for olives nuts or spreads) Cheese knives Small tongs or forks

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese chocolate) Tree nuts (almonds pecans pistachios) Gluten (crackers bread) Eggs (meringues possibly in some breads crackers) Meats are present (charcuterie) unless omitted Always check labels for gluten nut or dairy cross-contamination if allergies are a concern

Nutritional Information

Calories ~380 Total Fat 22 g Carbohydrates 32 g Protein 13 g

Delicious Winter Wonderland Grazing Tray for holiday gatherings, showcasing colorful fruits, nuts, and amazing cheeses. Save
Delicious Winter Wonderland Grazing Tray for holiday gatherings, showcasing colorful fruits, nuts, and amazing cheeses. | dashofstates.com

This grazing tray is easy to assemble and looks stunning on any holiday table.

Recipe FAQ

What cheeses are ideal for this grazing tray?

Brie, aged Cheddar, blue cheese, and goat cheese provide a mix of soft, sharp, creamy, and tangy flavors that complement the tray's variety.

How can I make this tray vegetarian-friendly?

Simply omit the prosciutto, salami, and turkey slices, then increase cheese portions or add roasted vegetables to maintain variety.

What are good garnishes for a festive touch?

Fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers add color and a wintery, elegant finish to the presentation.

How should I arrange the tray for best effect?

Distribute cheeses evenly, cluster folded charcuterie slices, fan out fruit slices for color, and pile nuts and sweets in small bowls or heaps.

Can this tray be prepared ahead of time?

Yes, assemble and cover the tray, then refrigerate for up to one hour before serving to maintain freshness.

What drinks complement this grazing selection?

Crisp white wines or light-bodied reds work wonderfully to enhance the flavors without overpowering them.

Winter Wonderland Grazing Tray

Festive tray with cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, nuts, and sweets, ideal for holiday entertaining and snacking.

Prep duration
25 min
Cook duration
1 min
Complete duration
26 min
Created by Jordan Miller


Complexity Easy

Heritage International

Output 10 Portions

Nutritional considerations Meat-free

Components

Cheeses

01 5.3 oz Brie cheese, sliced
02 5.3 oz aged Cheddar, cubed
03 4.2 oz blue cheese, crumbled
04 3.5 oz goat cheese, sliced into rounds

Charcuterie (optional for vegetarian version)

01 4.2 oz prosciutto
02 3.5 oz salami, sliced
03 3.5 oz smoked turkey breast, sliced

Seasonal Fruits

01 1 cup red grapes, washed and halved
02 1 cup green grapes, washed
03 1 large pomegranate, seeded
04 2 pears, sliced
05 1 apple, sliced
06 ½ cup dried cranberries
07 ½ cup dried apricots

Nuts & Savory Snacks

01 ½ cup roasted almonds
02 ½ cup candied pecans
03 ½ cup shelled pistachios
04 ½ cup marinated olives

Sweet Treats

01 3.5 oz white chocolate bark, broken into pieces
02 3.5 oz dark chocolate squares
03 ½ cup mini meringues

Crackers & Bread

01 7 oz assorted crackers
02 1 small baguette, sliced
03 ½ cup breadsticks

Garnishes

01 Fresh rosemary sprigs
02 Edible flowers (optional)

Method

Phase 01

Prepare the base: Select a large wooden serving board or platter to arrange your items.

Phase 02

Arrange the cheeses: Distribute cheese selections evenly around the board, spacing them to create visual interest.

Phase 03

Add the charcuterie: Fold or roll charcuterie slices and cluster them beside the cheeses; omit if preparing a vegetarian tray.

Phase 04

Incorporate fruits: Fill gaps with fresh and dried fruits, arranging sliced pieces in a fanned manner for color and ease of access.

Phase 05

Place nuts and olives: Distribute nuts, olives, and sweet treats in small piles or decorative bowls across the board.

Phase 06

Add crackers and bread: Position crackers, baguette slices, and breadsticks in rows or stacks along the edges of the board.

Phase 07

Garnish: Enhance the arrangement with fresh rosemary sprigs and optional edible flowers for a festive touch.

Phase 08

Serve: Present immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to one hour before serving.

Necessary tools

  • Large serving board or platter
  • Small bowls for olives, nuts, or spreads
  • Cheese knives
  • Small tongs or forks

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and seek professional medical guidance if you're uncertain.
  • Contains milk, tree nuts, gluten, and eggs
  • Includes meats unless omitted for vegetarian option

Nutrient breakdown (each portion)

These figures are approximate and shouldn't replace professional health advice.
  • Energy: 380
  • Fats: 22 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Proteins: 13 g