Santas Beard Hat Board (Printable)

A festive board combining white cheeses and cured meats in a fun holiday display with peppers and crackers.

# What you need:

→ Beard

01 - 7 oz brie cheese, sliced
02 - 7 oz goat cheese, crumbled
03 - 5 oz white cheddar, cubed
04 - 5 oz mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
05 - 3.5 oz cream cheese, shaped into small balls (optional)
06 - 7 oz assorted white crackers (rice crackers, water crackers, etc.)

→ Hat

07 - 5 oz sliced Genoa salami
08 - 3.5 oz prosciutto, rolled
09 - 3.5 oz pepperoni slices
10 - 2 large roasted red bell peppers, sliced into strips
11 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes or mini red peppers

→ Garnishes

12 - Fresh rosemary sprigs for decoration
13 - 1 black olive as Santa’s pom-pom

# Directions:

01 - On a large wooden board or platter, outline a triangle at the top for the hat and a rounded bottom section for the beard.
02 - Fill the bottom half generously with brie slices, goat cheese crumbles, cheddar cubes, and halved mozzarella balls to mimic a fluffy beard. Tuck cream cheese balls throughout for extra texture.
03 - Place rows of assorted white crackers at the base and sides of the beard section.
04 - In the triangle, layer slices of salami and pepperoni overlapping for a rich red effect. Add rolled prosciutto and strips of roasted red pepper for color and variety.
05 - Place cherry tomatoes or mini red peppers at the tip and along the hat to add brightness.
06 - Use fresh rosemary sprigs to outline the hat and beard for a festive touch.
07 - Place the black olive at the tip of the hat as Santa's pom-pom.
08 - Serve immediately and replenish as needed during the gathering.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required, yet it looks like you spent hours in the kitchen—pure magic for holiday hosting
  • It's genuinely fun to assemble, and honestly, building it with family or friends becomes the party entertainment itself
  • Everyone finds something they love on the board, from creamy cheese lovers to cured meat enthusiasts
  • The festive Santa design gets people smiling the moment they walk in, setting the perfect holiday mood
02 -
  • Bring your cheeses to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before assembling, or they'll taste muted and won't spread as nicely. Cold cheese is a flavor killer.
  • Assemble this no more than two hours before serving. The longer it sits uncovered, the more the cheeses dry out and the crackers get soft. Fresh assembly, fresh taste.
  • If you're making this ahead, arrange everything except the cured meats, and add those within an hour of serving. Cured meats can dry out and lose their vibrant color if they sit too long.
  • The rosemary isn't just pretty—it anchors your design and makes the 'hat to beard' transition clear. Without it, the board can look disorganized.
03 -
  • Buy your cured meats from the deli counter same-day if possible. Pre-packaged deli meats taste noticeably less fresh and don't have that same visual sheen.
  • Use a decorative serving spread. The board itself is part of the presentation—if it's beautiful wood or ceramic, let it show. A beautiful base makes everything on top look better.
  • Keep backup ingredients nearby. As the party goes on and people eat, you'll want to refresh key items. Have extra crackers and a few extra cubes of cheese ready to refill gaps. It keeps the board looking intentional, not picked over.
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