As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, we encourage you to get together with friends and family for cozy get-togethers. And what better way to celebrate the season than with a beautiful fall-inspired charcuterie board? It’s the perfect blend of flavors, with something for everyone to enjoy. We make it easy by giving you our tips in our hosting guide If you are making a savory board, start with a selection of your favorite crackers. We love using rosemary and sea salt crisps for a savory touch. Wheat crackers are a staple, and buttery, flaky water crackers pair well with almost anything. For a hint of sweetness, include some fig jam. Its rich, fruity flavor is the perfect complement to both cheeses and meats. Now, for the cheese, we like to mix things up with a variety of flavors. Cambozola, with its creamy texture and subtle blue cheese notes, is always a hit. Sharp cheddar adds a nice contrast, and Dill Havarti brings a fresh, herby flavor that pairs beautifully with the other elements. Arrange these cheeses in small wedges or slices for easy serving.No charcuterie board is complete without some fresh fruit. Thinly sliced Honeycrisp, Ambrosia or Fuji apples add a delightful crunch and a touch of sweetness. Add a few easy-to-grab smaller clusters of grapes around the board for a pop of color, and don’t forget a handful of dried apricots or cranberries for a chewy, tart contrast. For the savory side, add some thinly sliced salami, fanned out in elegant layers or wrapped to form a rose pattern. Candied nuts—pecans or walnuts—work wonderfully and add a sweet, crunchy element that’s simply irresistible. This time of year, actually, any time of the year, we like to incorporate Shookhill Tailgate Almonds on our boards (recipe below). If you’re feeling festive, tuck a small pumpkin in the center of the board and serve it with festive luncheon-size napkins. It’s a charming seasonal touch that makes the presentation feel extra special. This also translates to any holiday; you can always tie your board into the season we are in or the holiday you’re celebrating. If you’re serving a playful crowd this fall, sprinkle in a few pieces of candy corn or candy pumpkins for a whimsical, sweet surprise. It’s a fun way to add a bit of fall spirit to your spread. This savory fall charcuterie board is the perfect centerpiece for any autumn gathering. It’s easy to assemble, endlessly customizable, and always a crowd-pleaser. We also love our guest’s reactions and the source ahead simplicity of creating seasonal dessert boards that are sweet and just a little savory. To make a seasonal dessert snacking board, we recommend sourcing sweet treats like cookies, petit-four cakes, brownies, pretzels, nuts, seeds, chocolates (dried fruit, nuts, toffee, peanut butter cups, nonpareils or other bite-size options), and festive candy with a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes. Combine this with dried and fresh fruits, and you have created a delicious dessert board.
Cooking
Our Favorite Cinnamon Rolls…
A Sweet Morning Treat! There’s something truly magical about the smell of yeasty dough baking in the morning—warm, sweet, and completely irresistible. Our favorite cinnamon rolls will have you making the effort to make them. Capture that magic with homemade cinnamon rolls. Our version is based on Joanne Chang’s beloved recipe from Flour Bakery in Boston. If you’ve ever tasted the cinnamon rolls at Flour, you know why we’re sharing this one! The dough is soft and pillowy, the filling is just the right mix of cinnamon and sugar, and the cream cheese glaze is pure perfection. This recipe is a little involved, but so worth the effort. All of the heavy lifting as we like to say is done the day before you are serving these treats. Using a KitchenAid mixer really makes this easy, but still time-consuming. Try it and bring a little bakery bliss to your own kitchen. Whether you’re planning a leisurely weekend brunch or just want to make a special morning a little extra special, these cinnamon rolls are sure to delight you. There’s nothing like waking up to the comforting aroma of freshly baked treats—it’s a simple pleasure that feels like a warm hug. Treat yourself and your family to these delicious cinnamon rolls. Enjoy every bite! This recipe is our version of the rolls we love at Flour Bakery in Boston.