Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter

Featured in: Weekend Comfort Recipes

This holiday bow appetizer platter offers a festive centerpiece combining sharp cheddar, brie, gouda, and thinly sliced prosciutto and salami. Fresh clusters of red and green grapes, pomegranate seeds, and apple slices add natural sweetness and color. Crackers, baguette slices, roasted almonds, olives, and dried apricots provide contrasting textures. A touch of honey or fig jam and garnishes of rosemary sprigs and edible flowers complete the vibrant arrangement, perfect for easy entertaining and customizable with vegetarian options.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 16:29:00 GMT
Festive Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter arranged with colorful cheeses, meats, and fruit, ready to serve and enjoy. Save to Pinterest
Festive Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter arranged with colorful cheeses, meats, and fruit, ready to serve and enjoy. | saffronmoss.com

A festive and vibrant appetizer platter arranged in the shape of a holiday bow featuring an assortment of cheeses cured meats fresh fruits nuts and savory bites perfect for entertaining.

This appetizer platter has become a holiday tradition in my family everyone loves the mix of savory meats and fresh fruits arranged like a bow.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 120 g sharp cheddar cubed 120 g brie sliced 120 g gouda cubed
  • Cured Meats: 100 g prosciutto thinly sliced 100 g salami thinly sliced
  • Fresh Fruits: 1 cup red grapes 1 cup green grapes 1 pomegranate seeded 1 apple sliced
  • Crackers & Bread: 1 baguette sliced 150 g assorted crackers
  • Nuts & Extras: 1/2 cup roasted almonds 1/2 cup marinated olives 1/2 cup dried apricots 1/3 cup honey or fig jam
  • Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs Edible flowers (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
On a large rectangular or oval platter lightly sketch the outline of a bow using parchment paper as a guide if desired.
Step 2:
Arrange the cheeses along the loops and center of the bow spacing for visual appeal.
Step 3:
Fold and layer the cured meats in gentle waves or rosettes next to the cheeses.
Step 4:
Fill in the bow with clusters of grapes pomegranate seeds and apple slices.
Step 5:
Place crackers and baguette slices around the edges or in the tails of the bow.
Step 6:
Add nuts olives and dried apricots in small piles throughout to create color and texture contrast.
Step 7:
Spoon honey or fig jam into a small bowl and nestle it into the platter.
Step 8:
Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for a festive touch.
Step 9:
Serve immediately replenishing ingredients as needed.
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| saffronmoss.com

This platter always brings my family together during the holidays sparking joy and great conversation.

Notes

For a vegetarian platter omit meats and add extra cheeses marinated vegetables or hummus Use gluten-free crackers for a gluten-free option Try adding goat cheese blue cheese or cherry tomatoes for more variety Pairs well with sparkling wine or light white wine

Required Tools

Large serving platter or board Sharp knife Small bowls for jams and olives Cheese knives or spreaders

Allergen Information

Contains Milk cheese Tree nuts almonds Gluten crackers baguette May contain Sulfites cured meats possible cross-contamination in processed foods Always check product labels for allergens

A beautiful Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter overflowing with savory treats, featuring grapes and cheese in a festive arrangement. Save to Pinterest
A beautiful Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter overflowing with savory treats, featuring grapes and cheese in a festive arrangement. | saffronmoss.com

This holiday bow appetizer platter is sure to wow your guests and make entertaining effortless.

Recipe FAQs

How do I assemble the holiday bow platter?

Sketch a bow outline on the platter, arrange cheeses along loops and center, layer cured meats in waves, fill with fresh fruits, and add crackers, nuts, and garnishes for color and texture.

What cheeses work best for this platter?

Sharp cheddar, brie, and gouda provide a balanced range of flavors and textures that complement the fruits and meats.

Can I create vegetarian options with this platter?

Yes, omit cured meats and add extra cheeses, marinated vegetables, or hummus for variety while keeping the festive presentation intact.

What are good accompaniments for this serving board?

Sparkling wine or light white wine pair well with the mix of savory bites, fruits, and nuts on the platter.

How should I store leftovers safely?

Cover and refrigerate any leftovers promptly, keeping cheeses and meats separate to retain freshness for the next serving.

Holiday Bow Appetizer Platter

Colorful holiday bow platter with cheeses, meats, fruits, nuts, and savory bites for festive gatherings.

Prep Steps Duration
25 min
0
Overall Time Required
25 min
Created by Leah Winslow


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine Type International

Servings Made 9 Number of Portions

Diet Preferences None specified

List of Ingredients

Cheeses

01 4.2 oz sharp cheddar, cubed
02 4.2 oz brie, sliced
03 4.2 oz gouda, cubed

Cured Meats

01 3.5 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
02 3.5 oz salami, thinly sliced

Fresh Fruits

01 1 cup red grapes
02 1 cup green grapes
03 1 pomegranate, seeded
04 1 apple, sliced

Crackers & Bread

01 1 baguette, sliced
02 5.3 oz assorted crackers

Nuts & Extras

01 1/2 cup roasted almonds
02 1/2 cup marinated olives
03 1/2 cup dried apricots
04 1/3 cup honey or fig jam

Garnishes

01 Fresh rosemary sprigs
02 Edible flowers (optional)

How to Make It

Step 01

Outline the Bow: Lightly sketch the shape of a bow on a large rectangular or oval platter using parchment paper as a guide if desired.

Step 02

Arrange Cheeses: Place the cheeses along the loops and center of the bow, spacing them for visual appeal.

Step 03

Layer Cured Meats: Fold and layer the cured meats into gentle waves or rosettes beside the cheeses.

Step 04

Add Fresh Fruits: Fill the bow shape with clusters of red and green grapes, pomegranate seeds, and apple slices.

Step 05

Position Crackers and Bread: Place crackers and baguette slices around the edges or in the tails of the bow.

Step 06

Incorporate Nuts and Extras: Distribute small piles of roasted almonds, marinated olives, and dried apricots throughout the platter for color and texture.

Step 07

Add Jam: Spoon honey or fig jam into a small bowl and nestle it into the platter.

Step 08

Garnish and Serve: Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for a festive touch, then serve immediately, replenishing as needed.

Equipment List

  • Large serving platter or board
  • Sharp knife
  • Small bowls for jams and olives
  • Cheese knives or spreaders

Allergy Details

Double-check each ingredient for allergens. Ask your doctor if you're unsure.
  • Contains milk (cheese), tree nuts (almonds), gluten (crackers, baguette)
  • May contain sulfites (cured meats) and possible cross-contamination in processed foods

Nutrition Info (per serving)

Only use this info for reference—it won't replace expert advice.
  • Calorie Content: 260
  • Amount of Fat: 14 g
  • Carbohydrate: 22 g
  • Protein Amount: 10 g