Chocolate and Bourbon Cheeseboard Recipe

ByIsabella Vance
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Introduction

This Chocolate and Bourbon Cheeseboard is a delightful mix of savory, sweet, and boozy flavors that’s perfect for entertaining or cozy nights in. Combining a variety of cheeses with rich chocolates, crunchy nuts, and luscious bourbon, it offers something for every palate to enjoy.

A large white marbled surface filled with layers of various snack foods arranged closely. There is a layer of different nuts like pecans, walnuts, and cashews scattered all over. Multiple layers of cheese blocks and wedges in white and light yellow sit near the center-right, with round slices of white cheese below them. Several round and square crackers with a golden-brown color are spread around the image. Three circular layers of sliced red salami are placed in two spots on the right and bottom-left. Dark chocolate bars and small round chocolate pieces are layered in several places. Slices of red apple with white flesh appear in multiple layers. Small dried fruit clusters, including cranberries and apricot bits, dot the spread. Three glasses with ice cubes and golden liquid are positioned in different corners. Bowls filled with caramel popcorn, dark chocolate-covered nuts, and walnuts add texture. Multiple pretzels form small layers near the top and bottom parts. A bowl of fig jam sits near the center-bottom. The whole image is bright and colorful with rich textures and a busy, inviting look photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • Aged cheddar
  • White stilton with apricots*
  • Mini wheels of brie*
  • Cinnamon Bellavitano cheese*
  • Cranberry crusted goat cheese
  • Your favorite crackers
  • Baguette slices
  • Pretzels
  • Caramel corn
  • Chocolove bars
  • Chocolove cups
  • Chocolove gourmet candy bars
  • Dried fruit of your choice (such as dried cranberries, raisins, mango, coconut, and dried blueberries)
  • Fruit preserves of your choice (such as fig jam)
  • Candied pecans and/or walnuts
  • Apple slices
  • Fresh cranberries
  • Cookies or other baked holiday treats
  • Shots or glasses of bourbon

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Arrange the cheeses on your serving board, placing any ramekins filled with fig jam or your chosen fruit preserves alongside them.
  2. Step 2: Surround the cheeses with crackers, baguette slices, and pretzels, creating a base for the board.
  3. Step 3: Add the Chocolove bars, cups, and gourmet candy bars, spacing them evenly around the board to balance the look.
  4. Step 4: Fill in smaller gaps with glasses or shots of bourbon, dried fruits, candied nuts, caramel corn, apple slices, fresh cranberries, and any baked treats you like.
  5. Step 5: Adjust the arrangement as needed to create a visually appealing and easy-to-navigate spread for your guests.

Tips & Variations

  • Substitute or add cheeses based on your preferences or seasonal availability, such as sharp gouda or blue cheese for more depth.
  • Use a variety of textures and flavors in the dried fruits and nuts to keep each bite interesting.
  • For a non-alcoholic version, replace bourbon with sparkling apple cider or flavored sodas served in small glasses.
  • Consider adding fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme sprigs for a fragrant touch and festive look.

Storage

If you have leftovers, wrap the cheeses tightly in wax paper or cheese paper and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Keep crackers and baked treats sealed in airtight containers to maintain freshness. Store chocolates and nuts in a cool, dry place. When ready to serve again, bring cheeses to room temperature for the best flavor. Bourbon should be stored in a cool, dark place and does not require refrigeration.

How to Serve

A top view of a snack spread on a white marbled surface featuring layers of different foods: in the center is a clear glass filled with amber liquid and a large ice cube; around it to the right are three chunky cookies with chocolate chips and dried cranberries on top, and scattered fresh cranberries; above the glass are round dark chocolate disks, golden brown salted pretzels, and stacked slices of reddish salami; to the left are a dark chocolate bar with a grid pattern, broken pieces of chocolate, creamy white cheese rounds, and thin, crispy seeded crackers laid out in overlapping layers; scattered throughout are caramel popcorn, dark chocolate-covered nuts or coffee beans, and whole cashews; two dark chocolate bars with labels sit at the bottom right next to some apple slices. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I prepare the cheeseboard in advance?

Yes, you can arrange the cheeses and crackers a few hours before serving. However, add fresh fruits, nuts, and chocolates closer to serving time to keep them fresh and appealing.

What if I don’t drink bourbon?

You can omit the bourbon or replace it with a non-alcoholic drink like sparkling water or apple cider served in small glasses to maintain the festive feel of the board.

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Chocolate and Bourbon Cheeseboard Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 131 reviews
  • Author: Isabella
  • Total Time: 15 minutes
  • Yield: Serves 6-8 as an appetizer or snack
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Description

This decadent Chocolate and Bourbon Cheeseboard combines a rich assortment of cheeses, savory crackers, and an indulgent variety of chocolates paired perfectly with aromatic bourbon and a selection of complementary fruits, nuts, and treats. Ideal for holiday gatherings or sophisticated entertaining, this cheeseboard offers a delightful balance of sweet, savory, and boozy flavors that will impress any guest.

Ingredients

Cheeses

  • Aged cheddar, quantity as desired
  • White stilton with apricots, quantity as desired
  • Mini wheels of brie, quantity as desired
  • Cinnamon bellavitano cheese, quantity as desired
  • Cranberry crusted goat cheese, quantity as desired

Breads and Crackers

  • Your favorite crackers, quantity as desired
  • Baguette slices, quantity as desired
  • Pretzels, quantity as desired

Chocolate and Candy

  • Chocolove bars, quantity as desired
  • Chocolove cups, quantity as desired
  • Chocolove gourmet candy bars, quantity as desired

Fruit and Nuts

  • Dried fruit mix (dried cranberries, raisins, mango, coconut, dried blueberries), quantity as desired
  • Fruit preserves (fig jam recommended), quantity as desired
  • Candied pecans and/or walnuts, quantity as desired
  • Apple slices, quantity as desired
  • Fresh cranberries, quantity as desired

Other Treats and Beverages

  • Caramel corn, quantity as desired
  • Cookies or other baked holiday treats, quantity as desired
  • Shots or glasses of bourbon, quantity as desired

Instructions

  1. Arrange the cheeses: Begin by placing the various cheeses such as aged cheddar, white stilton with apricots, mini brie wheels, cinnamon bellavitano, and cranberry crusted goat cheese strategically on your serving board. Use small ramekins for fig jam or other fruit preserves and position them near the cheeses for easy pairing.
  2. Add crackers and breads: Surround the cheeses and preserves with an assortment of your favorite crackers, baguette slices, and pretzels. This creates a sturdy and tasty base for guests to sample the cheeses and accompaniments.
  3. Incorporate chocolates and candies: Fill in spaces around the cheeses and crackers with a variety of Chocolove chocolate bars, cups, and gourmet candy bars, adding a luxurious sweet element to the board.
  4. Fill smaller spaces: Use smaller gaps to place dried fruits like cranberries, raisins, mango, coconut, and blueberries; candied nuts; caramel corn; fresh apple slices; fresh cranberries; and cookies or holiday baked treats. This adds texture, color, and flavor variety to entice guests.
  5. Add the bourbon glasses: Finally, place shots or glasses of bourbon in available spaces on the board or serve alongside it, enhancing the overall tasting experience with a boozy kick that pairs beautifully with the cheeses and chocolates.

Notes

  • Use a large wooden or slate cheeseboard for an attractive presentation and enough space for all components.
  • Label cheeses if serving to guests unfamiliar with the varieties.
  • Adjust quantities depending on the number of guests and occasion size.
  • Substitute nuts and dried fruits based on seasonal availability or dietary preferences.
  • The bourbon is optional; consider offering non-alcoholic alternatives if preferred.
  • Keep perishables refrigerated until serving to maintain freshness.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Category: Appetizer
  • Method: No-Cook
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: chocolate cheeseboard, bourbon pairing, holiday appetizer, cheese platter, party snack, charcuterie alternative

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