Autumn Harvest Horn Plenty (Print Version)

A bountiful autumn centerpiece featuring dried fruits, assorted nuts, and a variety of rustic cheeses.

# Ingredient List:

→ Fruit & Nuts

01 - 1 cup dried apricots
02 - 1 cup dried figs
03 - 1 cup dried cranberries
04 - 1 cup dried apple rings
05 - 1 cup seedless grapes (optional)
06 - 1 cup walnuts
07 - 1 cup pecans
08 - 1 cup almonds

→ Cheeses

09 - 6 oz aged cheddar, cubed
10 - 6 oz creamy goat cheese, sliced
11 - 6 oz rustic blue cheese, crumbled
12 - 6 oz aged gouda or similar hard cheese, cubed

→ Crackers & Bread

13 - 2 cups rustic crackers or gluten-free crackers
14 - 1 small baguette, sliced

→ Garnishes

15 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
16 - Fresh thyme sprigs
17 - Edible flowers or seasonal leaves (optional)

→ Cornucopia Base

18 - 1 large wicker cornucopia basket or homemade edible bread horn (optional)

# Recipe Steps:

01 - Place the cornucopia basket or bread horn on a large serving platter or board.
02 - Place cheeses inside the opening of the horn, allowing some pieces to spill outward for an abundant appearance.
03 - Layer dried fruits and nuts around and spilling out of the horn, mixing colors and textures for visual appeal.
04 - Tuck crackers and bread slices along the sides or in small bunches among the fruits and nuts.
05 - Add fresh rosemary, thyme sprigs, and edible flowers or seasonal leaves for a festive, harvest-inspired touch.
06 - Serve at room temperature, allowing guests to select their favorite bites.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's the kind of showstopper that arrives on the table and immediately becomes the conversation starter—no cooking required, just strategic arranging that makes you look like a culinary genius
  • Everyone finds something they love because you're offering such a beautiful range of textures and flavors, from tangy goat cheese to buttery pecans to chewy dried apricots
  • It doubles as your centerpiece and your appetizer, which means less setup work and more time enjoying the moment with people you care about
02 -
  • Assemble this no more than 2 hours before serving—the crackers stay crispier and the fresh grapes (if using) don't weep moisture onto everything else, which is the one way this beautiful board can go slightly sad
  • If your cheeses are cold from the fridge, let them sit at room temperature for 20 minutes before arranging—they're more pliable and flavor is more pronounced when cheese isn't stone cold
  • The trick to making this look effortlessly abundant is to actually cluster and layer, not spread things too thin—overflowing is the whole point, so don't hold back
03 -
  • If you want to add honey or fig jam, drizzle it into a small shallow dish tucked into the arrangement rather than trying to spread it on everything—this keeps it from soaking into crackers while still being available for those who want extra richness
  • The secret to people reaching for more than they think they want is making sure every single thing is visible and accessible—if something's hidden under other items, they won't think to try it
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