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Easy Kid-Friendly Cranberry Orange Charcuterie Board

kid-friendly cranberry orange charcuterie board - featured image
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A festive and fun charcuterie board designed for kids and adults alike, featuring a sweet and tangy cranberry orange cream cheese dip paired with star-shaped cheddar, pretzel bites, fresh fruit, and more. Perfect for Thanksgiving or any holiday gathering.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1/3 cup whole berry cranberry sauce
  • 2 tablespoons orange marmalade
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon honey (optional)
  • 8 oz cheddar cheese block
  • 6 oz mozzarella string cheese
  • 1 cup pretzel bites or mini pretzels
  • 1 cup animal crackers
  • 1 cup fresh cranberries
  • 1 cup seedless red grapes
  • 1 cup apple slices
  • 1/2 cup dried apricots or dried cranberries
  • 1/2 cup roasted and salted sunflower seeds
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs for garnish

Instructions

  1. Make the cranberry orange cream cheese dip: In a medium mixing bowl, combine softened cream cheese, whole berry cranberry sauce, orange marmalade, and orange zest. Beat with a hand mixer on medium speed until fully combined and fluffy, about 2 minutes. Add honey if desired. Scrape into a small serving bowl and set aside.
  2. Cut the cheese into shapes: Slice the cheddar block into 1/4-inch thick slabs. Use a star-shaped cookie cutter to cut stars. Cut string cheese into bite-sized pieces, about 1 inch each.
  3. Prep the fruit: Wash grapes and pat dry; break into small clusters. Slice apple into thin wedges and toss with lemon juice to prevent browning. Rinse fresh cranberries and pat completely dry.
  4. Arrange the dip and larger items first: Place the dip bowl near the center of a large board. Arrange star-shaped cheddar in a cluster on one side, string cheese nearby. Place pretzel bites and animal crackers in separate piles.
  5. Fill in with fruit and garnishes: Scatter grape clusters around the cheese and crackers. Tuck apple slices between pretzel bites and dip bowl. Sprinkle dried apricots or cranberries in gaps. Add sunflower seeds in small piles. Arrange fresh cranberries in small clusters.
  6. Add finishing touches: Tuck fresh rosemary sprigs around the board. Sprinkle extra orange zest over the dip if desired. Fill any bare spots with extra grapes or pretzel bites.
  7. Serve immediately or refrigerate: Best served within an hour of assembly. If making ahead, prepare components separately and assemble just before serving. Dip can be made up to 2 days in advance.

Notes

For best results, soften cream cheese to room temperature before mixing. Use room temperature cranberry sauce and marmalade to avoid graininess. Cut cheddar stars while cheese is still cold for cleaner edges. Keep wet and dry items separate on the board to prevent sogginess. Double the dip recipe if serving more than 6 people. Set board out 15 minutes before guests arrive for best flavor.

Nutrition

Keywords: kid-friendly charcuterie board, cranberry orange dip, Thanksgiving appetizer, easy charcuterie board, holiday snack board

Find it online: https://perkypan.com/easy-kid-friendly-cranberry-orange-charcuterie-board/