Cheese and Charcuterie Horse

Featured in: Everyday Treats

Create an eye-catching horseshaped board by arranging cheeses, cured meats, fresh fruits, nuts, and crackers. Use a template to outline the horse on a large tray. Layer cheeses to form the horse's head and body, then add meats for texture. Fill in curves with grapes, apples, and vegetables. Scatter nuts and olives for detail, and finish with jam accents. Great for parties, this board offers a colorful blend of flavors and textures that please the palate and guests alike.

Updated on Sat, 29 Nov 2025 10:56:00 GMT
Horse-Shaped Grazing Board: A vibrant, artful appetizer platter brimming with cheeses, meats, and fruit. Save to Pinterest
Horse-Shaped Grazing Board: A vibrant, artful appetizer platter brimming with cheeses, meats, and fruit. | flourhollow.com

A whimsical and impressive appetizer platter arranged in the shape of a horse featuring a variety of cheeses charcuterie fruits nuts and accompaniments—perfect for parties or themed celebrations.

This grazing board offers a creative and fun way to impress guests with minimal cooking required It is always a hit at gatherings and easy to customize.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 100 g aged cheddar cubed 100 g brie sliced 100 g gouda cubed 100 g blue cheese crumbled
  • Charcuterie (omit for vegetarian option): 100 g prosciutto thinly sliced 100 g salami sliced 100 g smoked turkey sliced
  • Fresh Fruits: 1 cup red grapes halved 1 cup green grapes halved 1 apple thinly sliced 1 pear thinly sliced 1/2 cup dried apricots
  • Vegetables: 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved 1 cup cucumber sliced 1/2 cup baby carrots
  • Crackers & Bread: 2 cups assorted crackers 1 baguette sliced
  • Nuts & Extras: 1/2 cup roasted almonds 1/2 cup walnuts 1/4 cup olives (black or green) 1/4 cup cornichons or small pickles 1/4 cup honey or fig jam

Instructions

Step 1:
On a large clean board or tray sketch or outline the shape of a horse using parchment paper or use a horse-shaped template as a guide.
Step 2:
Begin by arranging the cheeses to define the horses head mane and body varying colors and shapes for visual interest.
Step 3:
Layer charcuterie slices to form contours and add texture such as the mane or legs.
Step 4:
Fill in with fruits and vegetables using grape clusters and sliced apples for curves and accents.
Step 5:
Place crackers and baguette slices along the border or as the horses ground.
Step 6:
Scatter nuts olives and pickles in small groupings to add detail and fill gaps.
Step 7:
Use a small dish of honey or fig jam as an eye or to accent the board.
Step 8:
Adjust and refine the arrangement for a clear horse shape ensuring even distribution of colors and textures.
Step 9:
Serve immediately providing cheese knives and serving utensils.
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This board has become a family favorite for entertaining and always sparks fun conversation and compliments.

Notes

For a vegetarian board omit charcuterie and add more cheeses roasted vegetables or marinated tofu Customize with favorite cheeses meats or seasonal produce Wine pairing Try with a light red (Pinot Noir) or a crisp white (Sauvignon Blanc)

Required Tools

Large serving board or tray Paring knife Cheese knives Small bowls or ramekins Cutting board

Allergen Information

Contains Dairy Tree Nuts Gluten (from bread crackers) possible Sulfites (in dried fruits cured meats) possible Egg (in some crackers) For allergies or intolerances substitute as needed and always check product labels

A delicious Horse-Shaped Grazing Board featuring assorted cheeses, charcuterie, and colorful fresh fruits, ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
A delicious Horse-Shaped Grazing Board featuring assorted cheeses, charcuterie, and colorful fresh fruits, ready to enjoy. | flourhollow.com

This grazing board is perfect for creating memorable gatherings with minimal effort and maximum impact.

Cheese and Charcuterie Horse

An artistic grazing board shaped like a horse with cheeses, fruits, nuts, and crackers for party occasions.

Prep Duration
30 mins
0
Overall Time
30 mins
Created by Megan Turner


Skill Level Medium

Cuisine Type International

Serves 9 Servings Count

Dietary Details Meat-Free

Ingredient List

Cheeses

01 3.5 oz aged cheddar, cubed
02 3.5 oz brie, sliced
03 3.5 oz gouda, cubed
04 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled

Charcuterie

01 3.5 oz prosciutto, thinly sliced
02 3.5 oz salami, sliced
03 3.5 oz smoked turkey, sliced

Fresh Fruits

01 1 cup red grapes, halved
02 1 cup green grapes, halved
03 1 apple, thinly sliced
04 1 pear, thinly sliced
05 ½ cup dried apricots

Vegetables

01 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
02 1 cup cucumber, sliced
03 ½ cup baby carrots

Crackers & Bread

01 2 cups assorted crackers
02 1 baguette, sliced

Nuts & Extras

01 ½ cup roasted almonds
02 ½ cup walnuts
03 ¼ cup olives (black or green)
04 ¼ cup cornichons or small pickles
05 ¼ cup honey or fig jam

Steps

Step 01

Prepare the base outline: Place parchment paper or a horse-shaped template on a large, clean serving board and sketch the horse outline.

Step 02

Arrange cheeses: Position cubed and sliced cheeses to form the horse’s head, mane, and body, alternating colors and shapes for visual appeal.

Step 03

Add charcuterie: Layer prosciutto, salami, and smoked turkey slices along contours such as the mane and legs to enhance texture (omit for vegetarian option).

Step 04

Incorporate fruits and vegetables: Fill remaining spaces with grape clusters, thinly sliced apples and pears, cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, baby carrots, and dried apricots to create curves and accents.

Step 05

Place crackers and bread: Arrange assorted crackers and sliced baguette along the outline edges and base to suggest the horse’s ground.

Step 06

Add nuts and garnishes: Distribute roasted almonds, walnuts, olives, and cornichons in small groups to fill gaps and add detail.

Step 07

Apply honey or jam accent: Use a small dish of honey or fig jam to represent the eye or add a final accent on the board.

Step 08

Finalize presentation: Refine the arrangement to ensure the horse shape is distinct and colors and textures are evenly balanced.

Step 09

Serve: Present immediately with cheese knives and serving utensils for guests to enjoy.

Equipment Needed

  • Large serving board or tray
  • Paring knife
  • Cheese knives
  • Small bowls or ramekins
  • Cutting board

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient to spot potential allergens. Always confirm with your healthcare provider if unsure.
  • Contains dairy, tree nuts, gluten (from bread/crackers), possible sulfites (in dried fruits and cured meats), and possible egg (in some crackers)

Nutrition Breakdown (per serving)

Nutrition details are for reference and can't substitute for professional advice.
  • Caloric Value: 340
  • Fat content: 19 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Protein Amount: 14 g