Thanksgiving Leaf Fall Snack (Printable Version)

A vibrant autumn snack board featuring leaf-shaped cheeses, dried fruits, crackers, and nuts in fall tones.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz sharp cheddar cheese
02 - 5.3 oz gouda cheese
03 - 5.3 oz brie cheese

→ Crackers

04 - 7 oz whole wheat crackers
05 - 5.3 oz multigrain crackers

→ Dried Fruits

06 - 2.8 oz dried apricots
07 - 2.8 oz dried mango
08 - 2.1 oz dried cranberries
09 - 2.1 oz dried figs

→ Nuts

10 - 2.1 oz pecan halves
11 - 2.1 oz walnuts

→ Fresh Fruits & Garnishes

12 - 1 small apple, thinly sliced
13 - 1 small pear, thinly sliced
14 - Fresh rosemary sprigs (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Cut sharp cheddar, gouda, and brie into assorted leaf shapes using small leaf-shaped cookie cutters.
02 - Press the same cookie cutters into large crackers and dried apricots, mango, and figs to create leaf shapes; reserve small scraps for garnish or snacking.
03 - Distribute the leaf-shaped cheeses, crackers, and dried fruits randomly across a large wooden board or platter, creating a cascading fall leaves effect in warm brown, red, and orange hues.
04 - Fill remaining spaces with pecans, walnuts, dried cranberries, and fresh apple and pear slices, fanning the fruit slices to add texture and visual appeal.
05 - Add fresh rosemary sprigs for an aromatic accent. Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like autumn itself arranged on a board, earning genuine gasps when guests arrive
  • Everything comes together in just 40 minutes with zero cooking, so you're free to set the table and greet people
  • The leaf shapes make it feel intentional and special, even though it's honestly just cheese and crackers with style
  • You can prep it hours ahead and keep it cool, then simply garnish right before serving
02 -
  • Cold cheese is your secret weapon—room temperature cheese tears and won't hold crisp leaf edges. Give yourself time to chill.
  • Press your cutter down and straight up rather than twisting; twisting can smudge soft cheeses and compress crackers. Straight pressure creates clean lines.
  • Add fresh fruit just before serving, not hours ahead, or your beautiful apple and pear slices will brown and weep moisture onto the board.
  • The smallest leaf cutter shapes work beautifully for individual bites, but medium-sized leaves create more visual impact—choose based on your board size and desired abundance.
03 -
  • Invest in good leaf-shaped cutters—they make this project feel professional and inspired rather than amateur. Keep them as part of your Thanksgiving kit so they're always ready when November arrives.
  • Pat dried fruits dry with a paper towel before cutting; any surface moisture will make your cutter stick and create ragged edges.
  • Arrange on a wooden board or dark surface, never white or pale—the autumn colors pop dramatically against warm wood tones and create the photo-worthy effect that makes people linger.
  • If you're serving nut-free guests, replace pecans and walnuts with toasted pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds—they offer similar crunch and complement the board's aesthetic perfectly.
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