Winter Solstice Cheese Board (Printable)

A vibrant winter board featuring savory dark olives and figs with fresh brie and pears for contrast.

# What You'll Need:

→ Dark Side (Olives & Figs)

01 - 3.5 oz Kalamata olives, pitted
02 - 3.5 oz oil-cured black olives
03 - 4.2 oz dried mission figs, halved
04 - 2 tbsp fig jam
05 - 1.4 oz dark chocolate, broken into pieces
06 - 2.1 oz roasted almonds
07 - 1 sprig fresh rosemary (for garnish)

→ Light Side (Brie & Pears)

08 - 7 oz ripe Brie cheese, wheel or wedge
09 - 2 ripe pears, thinly sliced
10 - 2 tbsp honeycomb or honey
11 - 1.4 oz toasted walnuts
12 - 2.1 oz seedless green grapes
13 - 1 small bunch fresh thyme (for garnish)

→ Accompaniments

14 - 1 small baguette, sliced
15 - 3.5 oz assorted crackers

# How-To Steps:

01 - On a large rectangular or round serving board, create a central dividing line using a sprig of rosemary or a row of crackers to split the board evenly in half.
02 - On one half, neatly arrange Kalamata olives, oil-cured black olives, dried mission figs, fig jam, dark chocolate pieces, and roasted almonds. Garnish with rosemary.
03 - On the opposite half, arrange the Brie cheese, thinly sliced pears, honeycomb or a drizzle of honey, toasted walnuts, and seedless green grapes. Garnish with fresh thyme.
04 - Place sliced baguette and assorted crackers along the centerline or serve separately on plates.
05 - Present immediately at room temperature for optimal flavor and texture.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Zero cooking means you can pull it together while guests arrive, no stress required.
  • The visual drama does half the work—people are already impressed before they pick up a cracker.
  • Both sides feel completely different, so there's something for every mood and preference on one board.
  • It works for casual gatherings or fancy occasions without pretending to be fancier than it actually is.
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you think—a cold Brie is dense and disappointing, so always let it sit out for half an hour before guests arrive.
  • Pear oxidation is real, so slice them last or toss them lightly in lemon juice if you're prepping ahead, and your light side stays actually light colored.
  • The visual divide is the whole point, so resist the urge to mix ingredients across the center line no matter how aesthetically perfect it might feel.
03 -
  • Use odd numbers of everything if you want the board to feel naturally composed rather than symmetrical—three clusters instead of four, five pear slices instead of six.
  • Let your eye be the guide for spacing rather than measuring distances; your brain knows what looks intentional even if you can't explain why.
Go Back