Create Stunning Charcuterie Letter Boards for Every Occasion

Charcuterie Letter Platters: A Unique Way to Spell Out Messages

Charcuterie boards have become an incredibly popular way to serve appetizers at parties and gatherings. But did you know you can take the concept of a charcuterie board one step further by using the ingredients to spell out messages or names? Enter: the charcuterie letter platter!

What is a Charcuterie Letter Platter?

A charcuterie letter platter is a special type of charcuterie board where you arrange the meats, cheeses, fruits, nuts, jams, and other ingredients to spell out letters, names, or words. For example, you could spell out "Happy Birthday" in salami or create the first initials of the guest of honor from wedge of brie cheese and apricots.

Charcuterie letter platters are perfect for special occasions like:

• Baby showers
• Bridal showers
• Birthdays
• Anniversaries
• Graduation parties
• Weddings
• Holiday gatherings

How to Make a Charcuterie Letter Platter

Making a charcuterie letter platter is easier than it looks. Here are some tips:

1. Choose a letter style. Block letters tend to be the easiest when you're just starting out. You can make them as simple or elaborate as you like.
2. Gather your ingredients. Look for ingredients that have nice visual contrast and variety. For example, pair lighter and darker meats, different cheese types, fruits in multiple colors, etc.
3. Start with a base. Arrange charcuterie board classics like crackers or a baguette to serve as an anchor.
4. Build up your letters. Place ingredients close together, using toothpicks if needed for extra stability. Try different heights and shapes.
5. Embellish and fill in. Once your letters look complete, artfully scatter other ingredients into the negative spaces.
6. Style and label your letter platter. Consider placing your letters on a marble slab or wood board for serving. Include a decorative sign indicating what the letters spell out.

Ingredients to Use for Charcuterie Letter Boards

When stocking your charcuterie letter platter, look for ingredients in a variety of shapes, sizes, textures and colors. Here are some top options:

• Meats: Salami, prosciutto, soppressata, pepperoni, chorizo, etc.
• Cheeses: Cheddar, brie, goat cheese, blue cheese, Parmesan, etc.
• Fruits: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, figs, apricots, pomegranate arils, grapes, apple slices, etc.
• Vegetables: Cherry tomatoes, radishes, snap peas, mini pickles, olives, roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, etc.
• Crackers/Breads: Baguette slices, pita chips, lavash crackers, seeded water crackers, sliced sourdough, crostini, etc.
• Nuts and Seeds: Walnuts, pecans, smoked almonds, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, etc.
• Jams and Spreads: Fig jam, olive tapenade, hummus, honey, mustard, pesto, tapenades, etc.

Tips for Making Statement Charcuterie Letters

Looking to level up your charcuterie letter board skills? Keep these pro tips in mind:

• Palm a small cheese log or bundle of herbs to shape round letters like O’s.
• Skewer stacked ingredients like mozzarella balls or melon cubes for tall letters.
• Use a cheese plane or vegetable peeler to shave thin slices of aged cheese for delicate cursive.
• Line the edges of your board with whole fruits, nuts or floral garnishes.
• Make an acresent shape with a folded salami slice for playful block lettering.
• Pair dark purple figs with bright yellow cheeses for eye-catching color contrast.
• Switch up shapes by using round crackers for dots on I’s or oval vegetables for O’s.

Displaying and Serving Charcuterie Letter Boards

Once your masterpiece is complete, it’s time to wow your guests by unveiling the charcuterie letter platter in a memorable way. Depending on the occasion you have some options:

• At a baby shower, have the mom-to-be close her eyes and carry out the letter board as a surprise reveal of the baby's name.
• For a birthday, arrange candle numeral shapes from meats and cheese to display the birthday age.
• At a bridal shower or bachelorette party, spell out cheeky messages for the bride from the wedding party using charcuterie ingredients.
• On graduation let the grad pose behind a charcuterie letter board of their first initial and graduation year.

When it’s time to eat, invite guests to graze on the letter platter just as they would a regular charcuterie board. Provide small plates, napkins and a cheese knife for serving. Offer crackers, sliced baguette or even lettuce cups for piling ingredients into.

If you’re preserving special occasion letters, capture some photos first. Then carefully transition the platter to a tray or cutting board so guests can sample without disrupting the design. Add fresh crackers, fruits and nuts before serving.

Get Creative with DIY Charcuterie Letters!

The possibilities are endless when it comes to crafting custom charcuterie letter platters. Draw inspiration from the guest of honor’s hobbies, favorite things or even inside jokes within your group.

Hosting a fancy dinner party? Impress your guests with an elegant cursive charcuterie welcome message on a marble slab.

Celebrating your bestie’s birthday? Shape cheese and fruit kabobs into a playful letter banner that spells out their fun nickname.

Themed parties like fiestas, baby/bridal showers, football Sundays, book clubs or holiday gatherings also lend themselves perfectly to custom charcuterie letter platters. So unleash your inner artist to make a tasty conversation piece that also feeds the crowd!

FAQs

What foods can I use to make letters on a charcuterie board?

You can use a variety of foods like sliced salami and cheese, fruit like berries and grapes, nuts, jams, spreads, crackers and fresh herbs. Go for a mix of colors, textures and shapes.

How do you keep the letter shapes stable on the board?

Use toothpicks to secure stacked or awkward shaped ingredients. You can also start with a base layer of crackers, bread or nuts to provide an anchor for building up your letters.

What are some clever messages to spell out with a charcuterie letter platter?

The possibilities are endless! Spell out names, birthday messages, wedding phrases, baby name reveals, graduation years, holiday greetings and more. Get creative with inside jokes or puns too.

What is the best way to present my finished charcuterie letter platter?

Make a big visual impact by carrying your finished platter out on a decorative board or marble slab to surprise guests. Have someone like the guest of honor pose with it for photos before serving.

Can you eat the ingredients used to make the charcuterie letters?

Absolutely! Make sure to capture some photos of your completed edible letter creation first. Then artfully transfer ingredients to a separate platter or board so guests can enjoy sampling without disrupting the original design.