Build a black, white, and gold themed 50th birthday charcuterie board in under 30 minutes. This snack platter is filled with sausage, cheese, fruit, and nuts.
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Whether you're hosting a 50th birthday party or just want a fun birthday snack, this charcuterie board is the perfect way to celebrate.
The black, white, and gold items on this board provide a chic and upscale color scheme for this milestone birthday. Plus, the fun elements like the disco balls and glittery star toothpicks push this platter over the top.
In under 30 minutes, you'll be able to assemble this DIY 50th birthday charcuterie platter. Don't worry, I'll help you through the entire process.
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What You'll Learn In This Recipe
- How to fold salami into a beautiful rose shape.
- A step-by-step photo guide for plating the cheese board.
- How to make this board ahead of time if you're serving it at a party.
Don't forget to grab my go-to cheese board shopping list with over 100 food ideas to help you build your next platter or grazing table.
Ingredients You Need
Here are the individual ingredients you'll need to build a birthday cheese platter. Feel free to substitute the ingredients below to fit your guests' preferences and food allergies.
- Brie: If you don't like brie, try a wheel of gouda cheese.
- Thinly sliced cheddar cheese: You'll just need one or two slices to cut out the number 50. However, I like to have a few slices on hand in case I mess up.
- Cheddar/white cheddar cheese cubes: You can either cut these cubes from a block of cheese or opt for pre-cut ones if you're short on time.
- Italian dry salami: For the salami roses, make sure your sausage is thin and cut into small circles.
- Chocolate covered açai: You can also use chocolate-covered almonds or another chocolate-coated candy for a touch of sweetness.
- Black olives: Kalamata olives can be a great substitute if you prefer them.
- Pistachios: Be sure to purchase pistachios that are salted so they're ready to eat straight out of the bag. I like to buy pistachios with the shell on them so it fits with the theme of the board.
- Popcorn: For a convenient addition, grab a bag of pre-popped popcorn.
- Assorted crackers: Any type of crackers will complement this 50th birthday charcuterie board.
- Black grapes: Dark purple grapes can work if black grapes are unavailable, maintaining the gold, black, and white theme.
- Blackberries: Remember to wash and dry the berries before adding them to the board.
- Dried mango: I prefer unsweetened dried mango, as it pairs better with the other ingredients on this board.
- Garnishes: Enhance the aesthetic appeal of the cheese board with decorative elements such as mini disco balls, glitter star toothpicks, and golden bamboo skewers. I also love these disco ball toothpicks.
How To Make This Recipe
Frist time making a charctuerie platter? No problem! Here's your step-by-step guide for assembling this party board.
1. First, it's time to prep the cheese. Start by cutting the brie into small wedges. It's best to do this while the brie is cold, straight out of the fridge since it sticks less to the knife. You can then allow the cheese to come to room temperature before it's served.
Next, grab a small pairing knife and cut the cheddar cheese slices into the shape of the number 50. You can free-hand this (like I did) or print out a guide and use that as a template.
Don't worry if it's not perfect, it will still look great on your board!
2. Add a few pieces of cheddar and white cheddar mini cheese cubes onto the decorative toothpicks. I find that three pieces of cheese is the perfect amount for an individual serving.
3. Up next, let's make two salami roses. Begin by placing a circle of salami on the rim of a circular glass, preferably a stemless wine glass.
Continue constructing the salami rose by stacking additional pieces on top of each other. When the rose reaches your desired thickness, invert the glass and gently release the rose.
4. I like to add certain elements on the board to small serving bowls. This helps add visual interest and some height to the board, as well as prevents ingredients that have juices (like olives) from leaking onto the board. Plus, it can be helpful for ingredients that are small and could get lost on the board once it's all assembled.
5. For assembly, grab a round, wooden board. Then, position the sliced brie at the board's center.
6. Situate a sausage rose on either side of the brie.
7. Arrange serving bowls of chocolate-covered açai, black olives, pistachios, and popcorn on and around the board. I prefer having certain elements off the board for added visual appeal.
8. Scatter crackers around the brie and along the board's outer edges.
9. Place the cheddar cheese toothpicks around the outer edges of the board. Make sure the pretty tops of the toothpicks are sticking up where people can see them.
10. Fill in the remaining spaces with grapes, blackberries, and dried mango.
11. Finally, complete the board with some garnishes. The garnishes help to finish the board by pulling all of the elements together.
Add the '50' cheese cut-out on top of the brie. Optionally, nestle in the non-edible disco balls around the board.
Expert Tips
- Charcuterie boards are best served with a glass of wine! If you're looking for a delicious wine-based cocktail to pair, try this sparkling Lambrusco sangria.
- This recipe fits perfectly on a 14 inch (35 cm) round platter. Don't use a much larger platter, otherwise you will not be able to achieve this full and beautiful look.
- I'd suggest allowing the cheese to warm slightly to room temperature before serving. You can pull the cheese board out of the refrigerator about 15 - 30 minutes before your guests arrive.
Recipe FAQs
If you're hosting a birthday party, it's best to stick with common cheeses that you know everyone will love! Cheeses like cheddar, provolone, Swiss, and brie are normally a good bet.
Yes, you can assemble this board ahead of time. However, there are a few things that you should wait until the last minute to add. Wait to add the crackers and chocolate covered açai until right before you're ready to serve.
All the other items can be assembled up to 24 hours before your party. Then, wrap the entire cheese board in plastic wrap before placing it in the refrigerator to store.
On average, each individual will consume about 2 - 3 ounces of cheese and 4 - 6 slices of meat. If you're hosting a big party, you can simply increase the amount of each ingredient on the board.
Yes! Make sure to have some small tongs for serving, along with some spoons to assist with picking up the small items on the board.
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50th Birthday Charcuterie Board
Equipment
- cheese board
- mini serving bowls
- decorative toothpicks
Ingredients
- 8 ounces brie wheel
- 2 slices thinly sliced cheddar cheese
- 4 ounces cheddar cheese cubes
- 4 ounces white cheddar cheese cubes
- 4 ounces spicy Italian dry salami
- 5 ounces chocolate covered açai
- 3 ounces pitted black olives
- 2.5 ounces roasted, salted pistachios
- 1 ounces salted popcorn
- 5.5 ounces assorted crackers
- 14 ounces black grapes cut into small clusters
- 6 ounces blackberries
- 2 ounces dried mango
Instructions
- Slice brie cheese into wedges. Using a pairing knife, cut cheddar cheese slices into the shape of 50. Thread cubes of cheddar and white cheddar cheese onto decorative toothpicks. Set aside.
- Make two salami roses by placing a ring of salami on the lip of a round glass. Continue building up the salami by layering pieces on top of each other. Once the rose has achieved the thickness you like, flip the glass over and release the rose.
- Add chocolate covered açai, black olives, pistachios, and popcorn to small serving bowls.
- To assemble, place the sliced brie in the center of the board. Place a salami rose on each side of the brie.
- Place the chocolate covered açai, black olives, pistachios, and popcorn serving bowls on and around the board.
- Pile crackers around the brie cheese and on the outer edges of the board.
- Place the cheddar cheese on toothpicks around the outer edges of the board.
- Fill in the remaining spaces with grapes, blackberries, and dried mango.
- Top the brie cheese with the number 50 cheese cut-out. Optionally garnish with non-edible disco balls. Serve immediately.
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