Cheese & Chocolate Dessert Board, #52WeeksofSweets: Forks and Folly

Dessert has never been easier with our Holiday Cheese and Chocolate Dessert Board. Perfect for grazing during an afternoon soiree or served after the big feast! Enjoy with your favorite Cameron Hughes wine for the ultimate treat.

When it comes to holiday entertaining, I spend days and days pouring over recipes I’ve ripped from magazines and browsing my curated Pinterest boards. I rifle through family recipes, and pare it down to the best of the best. I spend days prepping and cooking. And I enjoy every minute. Except for the dessert.

For me dessert is always an after thought. Not being a sweet-treat gal, I’m one to opt for another glass of wine in lieu of a slice of pie. Which is why, this year… I going rogue. Instead of pumpkin pie or laborious chocolate cake, I’m making a Holiday Cheese and Chocolate Dessert Board.

It’s perfect for grazing after the big meal, and it has a little something for everyone. Cheese, fruit, chocolate, nuts, and cookies….

And when served with a variety of wines? There are bound to be some great pairings! With this Cheese and Chocolate Dessert Board, I’ve proven that a great dessert doesn’t have to be laborious to be enjoyed. To eating, drinking, and being merry!

Holiday Cheese and Chocolate Dessert Board

Here, I’ve added in-shell nuts, candied ginger and caramel wafers.

This cheese and chocolate board can be as elaborate or simple as you make it. I like to start by placing a few items in bowls and placing them in off-center spaces on a large cutting board. I like to place items that crumble easily or tend to roll away in the bowls. 😉

Next, I’ve layered white cheddar, spiced honey and apricots.

Now it’s time to have some fun with it. I had a large block of white cheddar, so I sliced up a little bit for a layered effect, then added some spiced honey and apricots to begin filling up the board.

Here, fresh apples, dried cranberries, clementines, and dark and milk chocolate are added to the board.

Although not much of a dessert eater, I do love a chocolate and red wine pairing, so I made sure to add some great chocolate. I’ll be drinking that with the Cameron Hughes 2014 Cabernet!

Once you’ve filled up the tray with enough goodies, fill in the spaces with fresh herbs and holly. Tip: Be sure to shake out the branches before bringing them inside. Bugs on the cheese board are a real buzz-kill.

And if you need a few more easy recipe ideas for holiday entertaining, try our Pumpkin Spice Cookie Tarts or our recipe for Homemade Sundried Tomato Hummus.