Autumn Harvest Cornucopia Centerpiece (Printable)

A vibrant centerpiece bursting with dried fruits, assorted nuts, and rustic cheeses for seasonal gatherings.

# What you need:

→ Fruit & Nuts

01 - 1 cup dried apricots
02 - 1 cup dried figs
03 - 1 cup dried cranberries
04 - 1 cup dried apple rings
05 - 1 cup seedless grapes (optional)
06 - 1 cup walnuts
07 - 1 cup pecans
08 - 1 cup almonds

→ Cheeses

09 - 6 oz aged cheddar, cubed
10 - 6 oz creamy goat cheese, sliced
11 - 6 oz rustic blue cheese, crumbled
12 - 6 oz aged gouda or similar hard cheese, cubed

→ Crackers & Bread

13 - 2 cups rustic crackers or gluten-free crackers
14 - 1 small baguette, sliced

→ Garnishes

15 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
16 - Fresh thyme sprigs
17 - Edible flowers or seasonal leaves (optional)

→ Cornucopia Base

18 - 1 large wicker cornucopia basket or edible bread horn (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place the cornucopia basket or bread horn on a large serving platter or board.
02 - Fill the opening of the horn with assorted cheeses, allowing some to spill outward for abundance.
03 - Layer dried fruits and nuts around and spilling out of the horn, mixing colors and textures attractively.
04 - Tuck crackers and bread slices along the sides or in clusters among the fruits and nuts.
05 - Decorate with fresh rosemary, thyme sprigs, and edible flowers for a festive touch.
06 - Present at room temperature, allowing guests to serve themselves.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a centerpiece that does double duty—stunning enough to photograph, but designed to be eaten and enjoyed by everyone gathered around your table
  • No cooking required means you can spend your energy on other dishes and still create something that feels showstopping and intentional
  • It naturally accommodates different tastes and dietary preferences; everyone finds something they love without you having to make separate platters
  • The textures and flavors work together in unexpected ways—creamy cheese with tart cranberries, crunchy walnuts with soft figs—creating little flavor moments of discovery with each bite
02 -
  • Don't assemble this more than 2-3 hours ahead, or the crackers will begin to soften and the goat cheese will dry out at the edges. It's better to assemble it closer to when guests arrive.
  • If you're using a wicker cornucopia, make sure it's food-safe or line it carefully; some older baskets can have treatments that aren't meant for food contact.
  • The arrangement will look less full than you think it should as you're building it—trust the process. Once everything is tucked and layered, it will feel overflowing and abundant.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts for 5-7 minutes at 350°F right before assembling—they'll taste more vibrant and fill the room with the smell of autumn, which is half the magic of serving this
  • Keep everything at room temperature; cold cheese tastes muted, and cold dried fruits seem dense rather than chewy. Take everything out of the fridge 30 minutes before arranging
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