Winter Solstice Cheese Board (Printable)

A balanced winter board featuring savory olives, figs, Brie, pears, nuts, and honey for rich, fresh flavors.

# What You Need:

→ Dark Side (Olives & Figs)

01 - 3.5 oz Kalamata olives, pitted
02 - 3.5 oz oil-cured black olives
03 - 4.25 oz dried mission figs, halved
04 - 2 tbsp fig jam
05 - 1.4 oz dark chocolate, broken into pieces
06 - 2.1 oz roasted almonds
07 - 1 sprig fresh rosemary (for garnish)

→ Light Side (Brie & Pears)

08 - 7 oz ripe Brie cheese, wheel or wedge
09 - 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
10 - 2 tbsp honeycomb or honey
11 - 1.4 oz toasted walnuts
12 - 2.1 oz seedless green grapes
13 - 1 small bunch fresh thyme (for garnish)

→ Accompaniments

14 - 1 small baguette, sliced
15 - 3.5 oz assorted crackers

# How to Make It:

01 - On a large rectangular or round serving board, create a dividing line using a sprig of rosemary or a row of crackers to separate the board into two equal halves.
02 - On the dark side of the board, artfully arrange Kalamata olives, oil-cured black olives, dried figs, fig jam, dark chocolate pieces, and roasted almonds. Garnish with a sprig of fresh rosemary.
03 - On the light side, display Brie cheese, thinly sliced pears, honeycomb or a drizzle of honey, toasted walnuts, and seedless green grapes. Garnish with fresh thyme.
04 - Place sliced baguette and assorted crackers along the center line or serve them on separate plates alongside the board.
05 - Present immediately at room temperature to preserve optimal flavors and textures.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like edible art but takes just 15 minutes to pull together, making you look far more impressive than you actually worked.
  • The half-board concept means everyone finds something they crave, whether they lean toward dark chocolate and olives or soft cheese and honey.
  • It's a conversation starter that tastes intentional and seasonal without requiring any cooking skill whatsoever.
02 -
  • Slice your pears as late as possible—even 20 minutes in advance can leave you with browning edges that undermine the board's fresh-side aesthetic.
  • If your Brie isn't quite ripe when you're assembling, you can gently warm it in a 200°F oven for 3-4 minutes just before serving, but watch it closely so it doesn't collapse into a puddle.
  • The dark and light sides should feel like equals in weight and visual interest, not like one side is more important—this is what makes the solstice symbolism actually work.
03 -
  • Assemble the board no more than 2 hours before serving; after that, the pears begin to oxidize and the Brie can sweat slightly on its surface.
  • If you're serving prosciutto on either side for non-vegetarians, drape it loosely just before guests arrive so it stays crisp rather than absorbing moisture from the board.
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