Simple Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board

Sharing is caring!

This simple to put together Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board features heart shaped cheeses, pepperoni roses (including how to), Valentine's Day candies, gluten free crackers and raspberries.

I love a good charcuterie board. Any holiday will do. In fact, there doesn't even need to be a holiday. However, I know your going to love this simple Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board. If your into charcuterie boards, check out these readers favorites Easy Breakfast Charcuterie Board and How to Build an Easy Charcuterie Board for Two. Both theses boards in addition to the one today are 100% gluten free.

Well Valentine's Day is only two weeks away and I wanted something simple. There are alot of extravagant charcuterie boards out there and while they are nice, I just don't have the time and let's be real money to put together. This one here is easy, simple, won't break the bank yet still elegant enough to impress your significant other or guests. You can use a cutting board that you already have on hand, a cookie cutter for designer cheese and a shot glass to create these cute roses (which I'll show you how easy it is to do).

Let's get going on this Valentine's Day board!

WHY YOU'LL LOVE THIS BOARD

• Kid Friendly: This board is so easy to put together that even the kids can do it. They can have fun making the heart cheeses and placing the food on the board. I'm sure they will sneak a conversation heart or M&M too.

• Versatile: The Valentine's Day board can be made as is or can easily be customized for your liking. We are using a lot of red so red candies or fruits can be interchanged.

• Fun to Make: Who doesn't love a good charcuterie board? I've yet to meet someone who can't benefit from one. They are so fun to make and then enjoy. This one is so simple and easy to put together that it can be done in under 10 minutes. You can get the whole family involved, significant other or friends.

INGREDIENTS YOU'LL NEED FOR BOARD

• Cheddar Cheese

• Pepper Jack Cheese

• Pepperoni slices

• Gluten Free Crackers: I used Good Thins for this board.

• Raspberries

• Heart Shaped Chocolates (used Doves)

• Sweet Heart Conversation Candies

• Valentine's M&M Candies

TOOLS TO MAKE A VALENTINE'S DAY CHARCUTERIE BOARD

These are a few of the items you will need to create this board. You can use what you have on hand or use these suggestions.

• Heart Shaped Cutter

• Cutting Board

• Shot Glass

HOW TO ASSEMBLE BOARD

Step 1: Slice your blocks of cheese in half lengthwise so you have two rectangular blocks. Then make the cheese hearts using the cutter.

Step 2: Make the pepperoni roses. See the how to right below for exact instructions.

Step 3: Arrange the crackers onto your board, starting from the top left, then stacking down on an angle, 1-2 inches from the bottom right corner. Place a pepperoni rose above and below the crackers, in the center of your line of crackers.

Step 4: Arrange cheddar cheese hearts above the crackers, to the right of the pepperoni rose to help hold it in place. Do the same with the pepper jack cheese to the left of the bottom rose.

Step 5: Add Conversation Hearts under the bottom pepperoni rose and to the right, until you meet the crackers. Add another pepperoni rose under the cheddar cheese hearts, against the crackers.

Step 6: Add chocolate hearts under the pepperoni rose, filling the bottom corner of the board.

Step 7: Add raspberries all around the cheddar cheese hearts, meeting at the pepperoni roses, and also to the left of the pepperjack cheese, filling in that left side.

Step 8: Add M&Ms above and next to the top rose, and above the chocolate hearts. Then add the final pepperoni rose to the top right corner.

HOW TO MAKE THE PEPPERONI ROSES

Step 1: Grab a shot glass. Place the pepperoni slice on the rim, half inside and half outside the glass.

Step 2: Add the next slice of pepperoni halfway over that one, then halfway over the next, etc. You will use 10 slices total per rose.

Step 3: Push the pepperoni slices against the inside and outside of the shot glass, which will help keep the roses formed.

VARIATIONS

Here are a few variations you can either exchange out or if you decide can add to the board.

• Strawberries

• Red Grapes

• Cookies

• Cinnamon Heart Candies

• Nuts

• Fruit Dip

EXPERT TIPS

• Use a mix of shapes and colors. The heart shaped cheeses and heart shaped Dove chocolates really make this board special. The colors really compliment each other on this board.

• The pepperoni roses are a perfect accent to the board to make your significant other or guest think "wow". It really gives this board that extra "pop". And the best part is that it is super easy to make and can be done in minutes.

• Wash all produce before placing on tray. This might sound very basic but you want to make sure you wash off any dirt or grim that might be on the fruit before displaying then consuming.

• Keep meats and cheese at room temperature no more than 2 hours. Another rule that might sound redundant but it is best practice to not leave this board out too long or there might be risk of illness.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1.) What is a charcuterie board? A charcuterie board is a board usually filled with meats and cheeses. We here in the United States, have elaborated a bit and add in fruits, dips, nuts and candies. There are a variety of charcuterie style boards now. This Valentine's Day board is a wonderful combination of sweet and savory.

2.) Why make a Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board? Why not? These boards are so fun to put together for family and friends. They are absolutely delicious and an enjoyable way to have yummy snack based foods. Charcuterie boards are a great conversation starter at any event. In addition to Valentine's Day, this is a great board to also make for Galentine's Day if you celebrate with girlfriends.

3.) Can this be made ahead of time? Sure, just make sure you keep it refrigerated because you don't want to leave the meats and cheeses out. You can create this board a few hours before serving and set in refrigerator covered. Take out when ready to serve!

STORAGE

How to Store: If anything is left over for some reason, you can store the meats and cheeses in airtight containers or ziplock bags to go into the refrigerator. Any fruit can go into an airtight container or ziplock bag to be placed back in the refrigerator as well. The leftover candies and crackers can go in ziplock bags and be stored in the pantry.

I hope you give this Simple Valentine's Day Charcuterie Board a try! If you do give this recipe a try, please let me know!

Leave a comment with a star rating below. Your reviews and ratings help support Emily’s Wholesome Kitchen and make it possible for me to continue to create the best recipes you know and love.

Follow me on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook

Print

Sharing is caring!