Festive Candy Cane Zigzag (Printable)

A vibrant holiday board featuring salami, cheeses, fruits, and crackers styled in a candy cane shape.

# What you'll need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz mozzarella cheese, sliced or bocconcini balls
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 whole-grain mustard or honey
13 - 1 small bowl cranberry chutney or fig jam

# Method:

01 - On a large rectangular or oval serving board, arrange the salami and mozzarella alternately in overlapping slices to form a curving S-shape resembling a candy cane, starting at one corner and curving toward the center, then out to the opposite side.
02 - Fill the curve with goat cheese, if used, and rolled prosciutto to enhance color and texture.
03 - Position halved cherry tomatoes and red bell pepper strips along the red sections for vibrant festive color.
04 - Distribute grapes, pomegranate seeds, and fresh herb sprigs around the board to add visual interest and freshness.
05 - Place assorted crackers and baguette slices along the board edge or in a separate basket.
06 - Put whole-grain mustard or honey and cranberry chutney or fig jam into small bowls and set them on or near the board.
07 - Tuck sprigs of basil or rosemary into the arrangement for a festive touch before serving immediately.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning without requiring any actual cooking—just thoughtful arrangement and a bit of creativity
  • Everyone at your gathering will be talking about how you managed to make something so beautiful and delicious
  • It's naturally gluten-free if you make one small swap, and it accommodates almost any dietary preference without feeling like a compromise
  • You can prepare it entirely ahead of time, which means you're actually relaxing while your guests arrive instead of stressing in the kitchen
02 -
  • Slice your cheeses and meats as close to serving time as possible. They dry out faster than you'd think, and you want every bite to feel fresh and tender, not leathery.
  • If your board feels crowded, it's actually perfect—you want people reaching in, discovering new combinations with each grab. Sparse boards look unfinished; abundant boards feel celebratory.
  • Temperature matters more than you might think. Take your cheeses and meats out of the refrigerator about 15 minutes before serving. Cold mozzarella tastes muted, and cold prosciutto won't have that silky texture that makes it special.
03 -
  • If you're assembling this more than 2 hours before guests arrive, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and store it in a cool place. The moment your guests arrive, give it a final check and add the most delicate items (pomegranate seeds, fresh herbs) so everything looks dewy and fresh.
  • Position your board at a place where people naturally gather—not tucked in a corner. This simple placement decision transforms how the board functions at your party. It becomes the social center, the beautiful thing that brings people together.
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