Candy Cane Zigzag Board (Printable Version)

A colorful arrangement of cheeses, meats, and fresh produce in a festive candy cane zigzag design.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or in small balls (bocconcini)
02 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, optional, sliced or crumbled

→ Meats

03 - 7 oz dry-cured salami, sliced
04 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, optional, rolled

→ Accompaniments

05 - 3.5 oz cherry tomatoes, halved
06 - 1 red bell pepper, sliced into strips
07 - 1.75 oz pomegranate seeds (for garnish)
08 - 3.5 oz green or red grapes
09 - Fresh basil or rosemary sprigs (for garnish)

→ Crackers & Breads

10 - 5.3 oz assorted crackers or gluten-free crackers
11 - 1 small baguette, sliced, optional

→ Dips & Spreads

12 - 1 small bowl of whole-grain mustard or honey
13 - 1 small bowl of cranberry chutney or fig jam

# Preparation Steps:

01 - On a large rectangular or oval serving board, alternate overlapping slices of salami and mozzarella to form a bold, curving S-shape resembling a candy cane, starting at one corner toward the center and then curving to the opposite side.
02 - Fill in the curve with additional cheese such as goat cheese, if using, and rolled prosciutto to enhance color and texture.
03 - Position halved cherry tomatoes and red bell pepper strips beside the red sections for festive color.
04 - Distribute grapes, pomegranate seeds, and fresh herbs around the board for visual interest and freshness.
05 - Place crackers and baguette slices along the board’s edge or in a separate basket.
06 - Position small bowls of mustard and chutney on or near the board for easy access.
07 - Tuck sprigs of basil or rosemary into the arrangement for a holiday touch and serve immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it, but honestly takes just twenty minutes and requires zero cooking skills
  • The candy cane shape becomes the conversation starter that lets you actually enjoy your party instead of hovering over appetizers
  • It's naturally gluten-free and easily adaptable for vegetarian guests without feeling like an afterthought
  • Red and white colors feel intentional and festive without screaming forced holiday cheer
02 -
  • Room temperature matters more than you'd think. Pull cheeses out thirty minutes before assembling so mozzarella and goat cheese have a creamier texture and actually meld slightly with the crackers.
  • Pomegranate seeds and grapes will roll if your board isn't completely level—assemble on a flat surface, then carefully move the board to its final location.
  • The mustard-to-chutney ratio should be balanced. Use roughly equal amounts so no one flavor overwhelms the board. If guests are piling chutney on crackers, you haven't used enough spreads.
  • Prep everything except final assembly the morning of your event. Wrap cheeses and meats separately, halve tomatoes, and arrange herbs in damp paper towels. Assembly takes only minutes, which means you can greet guests instead of fumbling with a board in the kitchen.
03 -
  • If you're making this the day before, assemble everything except the pomegranate seeds and herb garnish. Cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate. Add the final flourish thirty minutes before guests arrive for maximum visual impact and freshness.
  • Buy the best mozzarella and salami you can access—this isn't a board where ingredient quality fades into the background. One exceptional salami beats three mediocre ones.
Go Back