How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (2024)

Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to show your loved ones how much they mean to you and Valentine Charcuterie Boards are an easy way to celebrate this special day!

How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (1)

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Lets Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards

I mean, really, what better way is there to show someone that you love them than with a delicious and beautifully crafted Valentines day charcuterie board?

Everyone seems to love cheese boards, so why not kick it up a notch and make a Valentines Day dessert board with sweet treats like holiday candies and chocolate?

Valentine Charcuterie Boards Tips

Whether you're planning a romantic evening for your significant other or a fun and cozy gathering with friends, Valentines day charcuterie boards are a must-have!

How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (2)

Start with a Valentine's day charcuterie board theme

The first step in making perfect Valentine charcuterie boards is to choose a theme. Do you want a traditional Valentine's Day color scheme, with shades of pink, red, and white?

Do you want it to be a Valentines day snack board, a heart shaped charcuterie board or a Valentines dessert charcuterie board?

I'm going to share a few of our different Valentines charcuterie board ideas! Whatever your preference, pick a theme that resonates with your special someone and just have fun with it.

Do you need Valentine Charcuterie Boards Ideas?

We have shared a few different Charcuterie boards over the years, including a Breakfast Charcuterie Board, and Valentine Charcuterie Boards filled with store bought Valentine's Day candy and sweets that makes a perfect Galentines Charcuterie Board!

  • Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board
  • Mothers Day Charcuterie Board
  • Pickle Charcuterie Board
  • Chicken Wing Charcuterie Board

See more Charcuterie Boards →

Today we're sharing our new Valentine dessert board with homemade heart shaped charcuterie board cookies with *pink* vanilla buttercream frosting!

How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (7)

Choose your meats and cheese for your Valentines day charcuterie

Charcuterie boards are usually all about the meats and cheese, so take your time when selecting them for your Valentine Charcuterie Boards. For Valentine's Day, you can add some heart-shaped slices of salami, prosciutto, and cheese.

For our Galentines Day Charcuterie Board that we shared last year, we included salami and white cheddar slices for the protein component.

How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (8)

You can find the full tutorial for putting together this version of our Valentine's Day Dessert Board by clicking here!

You can also choose cheeses with pink or red hues, like cranberry or red pepper jack for your Valentine Charcuterie Boards. Make sure to have a variety of textures and flavors, from soft cheeses to hard and salty meats.

Add some fruit and nuts to your Valentines Day Snack Board

Apart from meats and cheese, you can't have a traditional charcuterie board without fresh fruit and nuts. Choose fruits that match the season, such as strawberries or pomegranate, and add them to your Valentine Charcuterie Boards.

For instance, in this Breakfast Charcuterie Board that we made for Mother's Day last year, we included raspberries!

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They add a sweet and refreshing touch and complement the saltiness of the meats and cheese. As for nuts, consider some candied pecans or almonds to add a crunchy texture!

If your sweetie likes spicy snacks, you may want to try our Sriracha Spiced Pecans recipe! These spicy snacks are a nice addition to the sweetness of Valentines Day Charcuterie boards!

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Don't forget the dips and spreads for your Valentine Charcuterie Boards!

No charcuterie board is complete without dips and spreads. You can make your own or buy some ready-made ones, like hummus or spinach dip.

They add flavor to the board and make it easier to spread the cheese and meats on crackers and bread. For example, on our Mother's Day Charcuterie Board, we used honey fig preserves!

But today we have a vanilla buttercream that we're going to put right on our Valentine Charcuterie Boards to use as a dip and spread!

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How to Arrange your Valentine Charcuterie Boards

Now that you have all your ingredients, it's time to arrange them on the board. Start with the larger items, like the cheese and meats, and then fill in the gaps with crackers, bread, and fruit.

Make sure that everything is easily accessible and take some arranging each item so that your Valentine's day charcuterie board is visually appealing.

You can use heart-shaped cookie cutters to add some creative touches, or use flowers or leaves to decorate the board like we did with this Dessert Charcuterie for Valentine's Day!

Making a Valentine charcuterie board is all about creativity and personalization. Don't be afraid to experiment with different ingredients and arrangements until you find what works best for you.

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Whether you're celebrating a romantic Valentine's Day with your significant other or doing a Galentine's Day celebration with a group of your girlfriends, delicious and fun Valentine Charcuterie Boards will undoubtedly impress everyone.

So, get your ingredients ready, put on a great playlist, and have fun making the perfect Valentine charcuterie board. Happy Valentine's Day!

How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards

Prep/Chill Time: 30 min | Cook Time: 13 min |Total Time: 43 min

Servings: Makes 1 cup of frosting, 2 DZ cookies, use as many additional ingredients as needed to fill your size board

Shortbread Cookie Ingredients

  • salted butter
  • all purpose flour
  • light brown sugar
  • 1” heart cookie cutter
How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (13)

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Ingredients

  • unsalted room temp butter
  • powdered sugar
  • pure vanilla extract
  • heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt (to taste)
  • Red food coloring
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Extra Goodies you will need for your Valentine Charcuterie Boards

  • Graham crackers
  • Pink wafers
  • Chocolate wafers
  • Pretzels
  • Red m & ms
  • Sprinkles
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries
How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (15)

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Directions for how to make Valentine Charcuterie Boards

First prepare the cookie dough by cutting the cold butter into tiny cubes.

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Add the butter and sugar to a large stand mixing bowl with a paddle attachment and mix on medium speed until combined.

This should take approximately 30 seconds.

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On low speed, slowly add 1.5 cups of the all purpose flour to the bowl until it is mostly combined. Pause to scrape the sides.

The mixture should be crumbly but somewhat combined.

Sprinkle ¼ cup of the remaining flour onto a clean surface. Transfer cookie dough onto the surface and knead until a soft playdough like consistency forms.

How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (18)

Add the remaining flour if necessary. The dough should not be sticky.

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Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 30 min.

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

Meanwhile, make the frosting by adding the butter to a large mixing bowl. Mix on medium - high speed for 1 minute.

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On medium speed, slowly add the powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla. Pause to scrape the sides and taste.

Add salt if necessary. Finish mixing until a light fluffy frosting has formed.

Add drops of red food coloring to frosting until desired shade of pink has been reached.

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Then transfer the buttercream frosting to a piping bag and set it aside.

Once the cookie dough has chilled, place on a floured surface. Roll out until dough is approximately ¼ inch thick.

Then use a cookie cutter to cut out heart shaped cookies.We used a 1" cookie cutter, but you can use any size you like!

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Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 13 minutes. Cookies should be just slightly brown on the bottom. Be careful not to overcook them!

To assemble the board, first pipe two hearts onto the charcuterie board using the vanilla butter cream frosting.

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Then add your cookies, wafers, graham crackers and pretzels.

Fill in the spaces with your M&Ms, sprinkles and fruit, or any other sweets you're adding to your Valentines Dessert Board!

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How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (26)

Valentine Charcuterie Boards

Jennifer

Valentine Charcuterie Boards are easy snacks! See our Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board ideas for the BEST Valentines day charcuterie boards!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 20 minutes mins

Course Dessert, Holiday Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 4 servings

Ingredients

  • Shortbread Cookie Ingredients:
  • 1 cup cold salted butter
  • 2 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup light brown sugar
  • 1 ” heart cookie cutter
  • Frosting Ingredients:
  • ½ cup unsalted room temp butter
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 tablespoon heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt to taste
  • Red food coloring
  • Extra Ingredients for board:
  • Graham crackers
  • Pink wafers
  • Chocolate wafers
  • Pretzels
  • Red m & ms
  • Sprinkles
  • Strawberries
  • Raspberries

Instructions

  • First prepare the cookie dough by cutting the cold butter into tiny cubes. Add the butter and sugar to a large stand mixing bowl with a paddle attachment and mix on medium speed until combined. Approximately 30 seconds.

  • On low speed, slowly add 1.5 cups of the flour to the bowl until mostly combined. Pause to scrape the sides. The mixture should be crumbly but somewhat combined.

  • Sprinkle ¼ cup of the remaining flour onto a clean surface. Transfer cookie dough onto the surface and knead until a soft playdough like consistency forms. Add the remaining flour if necessary. The dough should not be sticky.

  • Wrap dough in plastic wrap and chill for 30 min. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.

  • Meanwhile, make the frosting by adding the butter to a large mixing bowl. Mix on medium - high speed for 1 minute.

  • On medium speed, slowly add the powdered sugar, heavy cream and vanilla. Pause to scrape the sides and taste. Add salt if necessary. Finish mixing until a light fluffy frosting has formed.

  • Add drops of red food coloring to frosting until desired shade of pink has been reached. Transfer frosting to a piping bag.

  • Once the cookie dough has chilled, place on a floured surface. Roll out until dough is approximately ¼ inch thick. Use a cookie cutter to cut out heart shaped cookies.

  • Place on a parchment lined baking sheet and bake for 13 minutes. Cookies should be just slightly brown on the bottom. Be very careful not to overcook.

  • To assemble the board, first pipe two hearts using the buttercream frosting onto the cookies.

  • Add cookies, wafers, graham crackers and pretzels. Fill in with m&ms, sprinkles and fruit.

Video

Keyword Charcuterie, Valentines Day

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About Me

I am an expert in a wide range of topics, including cooking, entertaining, and special occasions like Valentine's Day. I have a deep understanding of various cuisines, cooking techniques, and food presentation. My expertise is demonstrated through my ability to provide detailed and accurate information on a variety of culinary topics. I stay up to date with the latest trends and developments in the culinary world, ensuring that I can offer the most relevant and helpful advice to users.

Valentine's Day Charcuterie Boards

Valentine's Day charcuterie boards are a delightful way to celebrate this special day with loved ones. These boards offer a creative and visually appealing way to showcase a variety of sweet and savory treats, making them perfect for romantic evenings or fun gatherings with friends. Here's a breakdown of the concepts used in the article about Valentine's Day charcuterie boards:

Theme Selection for Charcuterie Boards

  • The first step in creating a perfect Valentine's Day charcuterie board is to choose a theme that resonates with your special someone. This can include traditional Valentine's Day color schemes, heart-shaped designs, or dessert-themed boards. The key is to have fun and be creative with the theme selection [[1]].

Selection of Meats and Cheese

  • When preparing Valentine's Day charcuterie boards, it's essential to carefully select a variety of meats and cheeses. For this occasion, consider adding heart-shaped slices of salami, prosciutto, and cheese. Additionally, cheeses with pink or red hues, such as cranberry or red pepper jack, can add a festive touch to the board [[2]].

Inclusion of Fruits, Nuts, and Dips

  • In addition to meats and cheese, fresh fruits and nuts are essential components of a traditional charcuterie board. Consider incorporating seasonal fruits like strawberries and pomegranate, along with candied pecans or almonds for added texture. Dips and spreads, such as hummus or honey fig preserves, complement the flavors of the board and make it easier to enjoy the meats and cheese [[3]].

Arrangement of Ingredients

  • The arrangement of ingredients on the board is crucial for creating a visually appealing Valentine's Day charcuterie board. Start with larger items like cheese and meats, then fill in the gaps with crackers, bread, fruit, and other treats. Creative touches, such as using heart-shaped cookie cutters or decorative elements like flowers, can enhance the board's presentation [[4]].

Recipe for Heart-Shaped Cookies and Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

  • The article provides a detailed recipe for preparing heart-shaped cookies and vanilla buttercream frosting to complement the Valentine's Day charcuterie board. The recipe includes ingredients and step-by-step instructions for creating these delightful treats, adding a personalized touch to the board [[5]].

Conclusion

Valentine's Day charcuterie boards offer a delightful and creative way to celebrate this special day with loved ones. By carefully selecting a theme, choosing meats and cheeses, incorporating fruits, nuts, and dips, and arranging the ingredients thoughtfully, you can create a visually appealing and delicious board that will impress everyone. Additionally, the inclusion of homemade heart-shaped cookies and vanilla buttercream frosting adds a personalized touch to the overall presentation. Whether you're celebrating with a significant other or a group of friends, Valentine's Day charcuterie boards are sure to make the occasion memorable and enjoyable.

How to Make Valentine Charcuterie Boards (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3-3-3 rule for charcuterie board? ›

Creating Interest with the 3-3-3-3 Rule

Choose three cheeses, three meats, three starches, and three accompaniments for a perfect and balanced board, every time!

What are 5 things to avoid on a charcuterie board? ›

There are a few that I would stay away from eggplants, brussels sprouts, turnips, beets, zucchini and mushrooms. Many of these vegetables taste best when cooked, and Charcuterie boards generally don't include steamed or cooked veggies.

What finger foods go on a charcuterie board? ›

Build the board with:
  • Cured meats.
  • Cheeses (we recommend using at least one soft cheese, hard cheese, and blue cheese)
  • Crackers.
  • Herbed nuts.
  • Cornichons.
  • Radishes.
  • Olives.
  • Grapes or figs.
Nov 16, 2023

What goes first on a charcuterie board? ›

Though there are many easy charcuterie board ideas out there, the process is somewhat formulaic. Start by adding structure with little dishes, then place your ingredients on the board starting with the largest elements like the cheeses and meats, followed by smaller items like crackers and fresh produce.

What is the secret to a great charcuterie board? ›

In general, a good charcuterie board will have 2-3 types of meat, 2-3 cheeses, 1-2 fruits, 1-2 crackers, nuts, bread, pickles, mustard and a dip or spread. The deliciousness of your board depends on the quality of your ingredients. Buy USDA Organic when possible and look for meats that are free from nitrates.

What are two main charcuterie items? ›

Here are the five key elements to a perfect charcuterie board:
  • Cheese. ~ You have limitless options in this category so you can not go wrong. ...
  • Sweet. ~ Cheese can pair well with sweet components like honey, fig jam, and/or a chutney. ...
  • Savory. ~ You need to have one or two savory elements to pair up to the meats. ...
  • Meat ~ ...
  • Bread.

How unhealthy are charcuterie boards? ›

Many ingredients used in charcuterie boards are high in sodium, including deli meats, dry sausages, cheeses, salted nuts, pretzels and crackers. The recommendation for daily sodium intake for adults is 2,300 milligrams or less. To reduce the sodium load on your board, add more fresh or dried fruits and raw veggies.

How do you make a cute charcuterie board? ›

There are different ways to place the charcuterie: You can shape slices into a rose-like shape, by rolling them like a cinnamon roll. Little clumps and swirls of cured hams are easy and fun. Salamis can be rolled or folded on themselves so they stand up.

How to cut fruit for charcuterie board? ›

Slicing the Fruit

You can cut them halfway down the center with the stem still on for a classic look, or get creative and carve the berry into a little rose. No matter how you slice your fruit, just be intentional.

What are the best 3 cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here's some of the best cheese for charcuterie boards:
  • Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago.
  • Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar.
  • Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster.
  • Soft cheese: burrata, mascarpone, stracchino.
  • Blue cheese: gorgonzola, dunbarton blue, marbled blue jack.

How do you calculate food for a charcuterie board? ›

Calculate Ingredient Amounts

If served as a light appetizer, plan for guests to take around 3 ounces each of meat and cheese. Up those portions to a hearty 6 ounces per person if the charcuterie board is the focal point. There should be at least one cracker or piece of bread for every slice of meat on the board.

What is the ratio for a charcuterie board? ›

I've found the following ratio works great: 4 types of cheese, 4 types of meat, 3 types of bread/crackers, 1 type of chocolate, 2-3 different nuts, 1 jam, 1 honey, and 1-2 types of olives.

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