22 Birthday Charcuterie Board Ideas

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A birthday charcuterie board is one of the easiest ways to feed a birthday party: meat, cheese, crackers and fruit go out on one big board, everyone grazes, and the cake still gets its moment. You can shape it into the birthday person's age or first initial, spell out happy birthday in cheese, or build the whole board around the cake.

Below are 22 birthday charcuterie board ideas for every kind of celebration, from number charcuterie boards for a first, 16th, 30th, 40th or 50th birthday and a letter charcuterie board to a kids' birthday board, a surprise party board, a milestone grazing table and four birthday dessert boards. They are charcuterie board ideas for a birthday party of any size, and every board lists exactly what's on it, with amounts and how many it serves.

Number and letter charcuterie board ideas

1. Number 1 Charcuterie Board for a First Birthday

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A big number 1 built from brie, cheddar, salami, grapes and crackers: a grown-up board for the parents and grandparents at a first birthday party while the baby gets the smash cake. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 long board, about 12 x 24 inches
• 1 sheet of parchment paper, cut into a number 1 about 20 inches tall with 5-inch-wide strokes
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 6 oz sliced hard salami (about 18 slices), folded
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 12 oz red grapes, snipped into small bunches
• 8 strawberries
• 64 round crackers
• 1/4 cup fig jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Cut a number 1 about 20 inches tall out of parchment paper, with 5-inch-wide strokes, a short flag at the top and a flat base, and lay it on the board. The food covers it completely.
2. Line both long edges of the number with overlapping crackers so the shape has a crisp outline.
3. Set the brie near the top of the stem and the jam bowl in the base.
4. Fold the salami into a winding river down the middle of the stem and shingle the cheddar slices beside it.
5. Drape the prosciutto in loose ribbons to fill the flag, then tuck the grapes and strawberries into every gap, keeping the food inside the outline.

My recommended tip: Put some of the crackers on the board and the rest in a bowl beside it. The board stays uncrowded, and refilling is easy.

2. Sweet 16 Number Charcuterie Board

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Pink and red foods in the shape of a 16 for a sweet sixteen party: 16 strawberries, raspberries, prosciutto, a salami rose, white cheddar and Havarti. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 extra-large board, about 16 x 24 inches
• 2 sheets of parchment paper, cut into a number 1 and a number 6, each about 14 inches tall with 3 1/2-inch-wide strokes
• 8 oz white cheddar (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz Havarti (a block), sliced (about 16 slices)
• 10 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 30 slices): 10 for 1 salami rose, 20 folded
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 16 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 8 oz red grapes
• 17 round crackers
• 1/4 cup raspberry jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Cut a number 1 and a number 6 out of parchment paper, each about 14 inches tall with 3 1/2-inch-wide strokes, and lay them side by side on the board with a 2-inch gap.
2. Make the salami rose: overlap 10 slices in a row, fold the row in half lengthwise and roll it up from one end. Set it at the top of the 1.
3. Fill the rest of the 1 with the cheddar cubes, raspberries and 10 of the crackers, and set the jam bowl at its base.
4. Run the folded salami around the loop of the 6, shingle the Havarti beside it and drape the prosciutto up the stem.
5. Fill the gaps in the 6 with the strawberries, grapes and the rest of the crackers.

3. 30th Birthday Number Charcuterie Board

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A bold, spicy 30 for a 30th birthday party: soppressata, pepperoni, pepper jack, aged white cheddar, pepperoncini and hot honey, with crackers tucked into both numbers. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 extra-large board, about 16 x 24 inches
• 2 sheets of parchment paper, cut into a number 3 and a number 0, each about 14 inches tall with 3 1/2-inch-wide strokes
• 10 oz sliced soppressata (about 40 slices), folded
• 4 oz sliced pepperoni (about 60 slices)
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz aged white cheddar (a block), thinly sliced (about 30 slices)
• 6 pepperoncini, patted dry
• 1 lb red grapes
• 16 round crackers
• 1/4 cup hot honey, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Cut a number 3 and a number 0 out of parchment paper, each about 14 inches tall with 3 1/2-inch-wide strokes, and lay them side by side on the board.
2. Set the hot honey bowl in the middle point of the 3.
3. Fold the soppressata into a winding river along both curves of the 3, then fill in beside it with the pepper jack cubes, grapes and pepperoncini.
4. Shingle the pepperoni in a ring around the outside of the 0 and the cheddar slices in a ring inside it.
5. Tuck the crackers into the open spaces in both numbers, keeping everything inside the paper.

Pro tip: Wrap leftover cheese in cheese paper, or in parchment or wax paper with a loose layer of foil over it, instead of tight plastic wrap. Eat leftover soft cheeses first, since they don't keep as long as firm, aged ones.

4. 40th Birthday Number Charcuterie Board

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An Italian-style 40 for a 40th birthday party, built with Genoa salami, capicola, provolone, little mozzarella balls, cherry tomatoes and green olives. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 extra-large board, about 16 x 24 inches
• 2 sheets of parchment paper, cut into a number 4 and a number 0, each about 14 inches tall with 3 1/2-inch-wide strokes
• 8 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 4 oz sliced capicola (about 8 slices)
• 8 oz sliced provolone (about 15 slices), each folded in half
• 8 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine), drained and patted dry (about 20)
• 20 cherry tomatoes
• 20 pitted Castelvetrano olives
• 12 oz green grapes
• 18 round crackers

How to make it

1. Cut a number 4 and a number 0 out of parchment paper, each about 14 inches tall with 3 1/2-inch-wide strokes, and lay them side by side on the board.
2. Fold the salami into a river down the long stroke of the 4 and shingle the folded provolone along the crossbar and the short stroke.
3. Fill the gaps in the 4 with the olives, grapes and 7 of the crackers.
4. Around the 0, alternate the mozzarella balls and cherry tomatoes in a ring, then drape the capicola in loose ribbons inside it.
5. Fill the rest of the 0 with the remaining crackers.

Why it works: Mild fresh mozzarella and juicy cherry tomatoes take the edge off salty capicola.

5. 50th Birthday Golden Number Board

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A golden 50 for a 50th birthday party: aged gouda, Havarti, Manchego, dried apricots, honey and Marcona almonds, with salami and prosciutto for color. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 extra-large board, about 16 x 24 inches
• 2 sheets of parchment paper, cut into a number 5 and a number 0, each about 14 inches tall with 3 1/2-inch-wide strokes
• 7 oz aged gouda (a wedge), cut into small cubes (about 38 cubes)
• 8 oz Havarti (a block), sliced (about 13 slices)
• 6 oz Manchego (a wedge), cut into thin triangles (about 12)
• 6 oz sliced hard salami (about 18 slices), folded
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 13 dried apricots
• 12 oz green grapes
• 2 oz Marcona almonds
• 22 round crackers
• 1/4 cup honey, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Cut a number 5 and a number 0 out of parchment paper, each about 14 inches tall with 3 1/2-inch-wide strokes, and lay them side by side on the board.
2. Set the honey bowl at the top corner of the 5.
3. Shingle the Havarti slices along the top bar of the 5, fold the salami down its short stroke and fill its curve with the gouda cubes, apricots and almonds.
4. Line the 0 with a ring of Manchego triangles and drape the prosciutto inside it.
5. Fill the gaps in both numbers with the grapes and crackers.

6. Initial Letter Charcuterie Board

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The birthday person's first initial, laid out in salami, prosciutto, cheddar, pepper jack, berries and crackers. An M is shown here, and any letter works. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 sheet of parchment paper, cut into the birthday person's first initial, about 14 inches tall with 3-inch-wide strokes
• 8 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), sliced (about 13 slices)
• 12 oz red grapes
• 6 oz blackberries
• 19 round crackers
• 1 1/2 oz pecan halves

How to make it

1. Draw the letter on parchment paper, about 14 inches tall with 3-inch-wide strokes, cut it out and lay it on the board.
2. Outline the letter with overlapping crackers so it has crisp edges.
3. Give each stroke its own food: folded salami down one, shingled pepper jack down the next, cheddar cubes and prosciutto ribbons in the others.
4. Fill the gaps with grapes, blackberries and pecans, keeping everything inside the outline.
5. Letters with straight lines (A, E, H, M, N, T) are the easiest to build; for curved letters, use folded salami on the curves, since it bends.

Birthday charcuterie board ideas for adults

7. Happy Birthday Charcuterie Board

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Cheddar letters spelling HAPPY BIRTHDAY on a row of crackers, plus a brie "cake" with a candle, a salami rose, smoked gouda and fruit. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 set of small alphabet cookie cutters (about 1 1/2 inches)
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block): 13 letters spelling HAPPY BIRTHDAY, the scraps cubed (about 16 cubes)
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole, with 1 birthday candle
• 7 oz smoked gouda (a small round), left whole
• 10 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 30 slices): 10 for 1 salami rose, 20 folded
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 1 lb red grapes
• 10 strawberries
• 23 round crackers: 13 topped with the cheese letters, 10 plain
• 1/4 cup fig jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Cut the cheddar into 1/4-inch slabs and press out H, A, P, P, Y, B, I, R, T, H, D, A and Y with the alphabet cutters. Cube the scraps.
2. Set each letter on a cracker and lay the lettered crackers in two lines across the top of the board, HAPPY over BIRTHDAY.
3. Set the brie, the smoked gouda and the jam bowl below the letters.
4. Make the salami rose (overlap 10 slices in a row, fold the row in half lengthwise and roll it up) and set it beside the brie, then fold the rest of the salami into a winding river.
5. Drape the prosciutto, then fill the gaps with grapes, strawberries, cheddar cubes and the plain crackers.
6. Push the candle into the brie right before singing, and pull it out before anyone cuts the cheese.

My tip: For special events like a birthday, my boards focus on meat and cheese, since that's what people go for.

Where to get it

Small alphabet cookie cutter sets are sold with the baking supplies and cake decorating tools.

8. Birthday Wine and Cheese Board

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Four cheeses that go well with wine (brie, aged gouda, a blue and Manchego) with soppressata, prosciutto, figs and dark chocolate, for an adult birthday party. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 7 oz aged gouda (a wedge), part of it sliced (about 5 slices)
• 6 oz gorgonzola or other blue cheese (a wedge)
• 6 oz Manchego (a wedge), cut into thin triangles (about 12)
• 4 oz sliced soppressata (about 16 slices), folded
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 1 lb red grapes
• 3 dried figs, halved (6 halves)
• 2 oz Marcona almonds
• 1 3/4 oz dark chocolate (half a 3.5 oz bar), broken into 8 pieces
• 15 water crackers
• 1/4 cup fig jam, in a small bowl
• 2 tbsp honey, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the four cheeses well apart on the board, slicing part of the gouda and fanning the slices beside the wedge.
2. Set the honey bowl next to the blue cheese and the fig jam beside the brie.
3. Fold the soppressata and drape the prosciutto between the cheeses.
4. Fill in with the grapes, fig halves, almonds and dark chocolate, then line the crackers along one edge.
5. Serve wine on the side: sparkling wine with the brie, a Spanish red with the Manchego and gouda, and port with the blue cheese, plus sparkling grape juice for anyone skipping alcohol.

9. Birthday Charcuterie Board for Two

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A small birthday board for a night in: goat cheese, aged cheddar, prosciutto, salami, berries and dark chocolate, with two cupcakes and candles in place of a whole cake. Serves 2.

What's on the board

• 1 small board, about 10 x 14 inches
• 4 oz goat cheese (a log)
• 4 oz aged white cheddar (a small block), sliced (about 10 slices)
• 2 oz prosciutto (about 4 slices)
• 2 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 6 slices), folded
• 2 frosted cupcakes, each with 1 birthday candle
• 8 strawberries
• 3 oz raspberries
• 6 oz red grapes
• 1 oz dark chocolate (about 4 squares)
• 7 round crackers
• 2 tbsp honey, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the goat cheese log and the honey bowl on the board.
2. Fan the cheddar slices, drape the prosciutto and fold the salami beside them.
3. Set the two cupcakes in one corner with a candle in each.
4. Fill the gaps with the strawberries, raspberries, grapes, dark chocolate and crackers.

10. Make-Ahead Surprise Party Board

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A sturdy meat and cheese tray built ahead and kept covered in the fridge, so it is ready the moment the guest of honor walks in. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 large rimmed serving tray, about 14 x 20 inches
• 7 oz smoked gouda (a small round), left whole
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), cubed (about 16 cubes)
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), sliced (about 16 slices)
• 8 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 4 oz sliced pepperoni (about 60 slices)
• 1 lb red grapes
• 12 oz green grapes
• 24 green olives, patted dry
• 36 round crackers, kept in their sleeves until serving
• 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Build everything except the crackers on the tray: the gouda and the mustard bowl first, then a salami river, rows of pepperoni and pepper jack, the cheddar cubes and the grapes, with the olives in the gaps.
2. Cover the tray tightly with plastic wrap and keep it in the fridge for up to 3 hours.
3. When the guest of honor is on the way, uncover the tray and tuck the crackers into the open spaces.
4. Keep the board out no more than 2 hours.

11. Birthday Brunch Charcuterie Board

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A birthday morning board with mini croissants, mini muffins (one with a candle), brie, ham, prosciutto, eggs and berries, for a brunch birthday party. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 mini croissants
• 13 mini muffins (a mix of blueberry, chocolate chip and double chocolate), 1 with a birthday candle
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 6 oz white cheddar (a block), sliced (about 15 slices)
• 6 oz deli ham (about 6 slices), rolled
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 4 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved (8 halves)
• 12 strawberries
• 6 oz blueberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 1/4 cup strawberry jam, in a small bowl
• 1/4 cup honey, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Set the brie and the jam and honey bowls on the board.
2. Pile the croissants and muffins in two groups and push the candle into one muffin.
3. Roll the ham, drape the prosciutto and fan the cheddar slices between the pastries.
4. Add the egg halves, then fill the gaps with the strawberries, blueberries and grapes.
5. Serve coffee and orange juice on the side, or mimosas with sparkling cider for anyone skipping alcohol.

Where to get it

Peeled hard-boiled eggs are sold in packs near the regular eggs, and mini croissants and mini muffins are in the bakery section.

Charcuterie board ideas for a birthday party

12. Milestone Birthday Grazing Table

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A whole table of meat, cheese, fruit and bread for a 40th, 50th or 60th birthday party, built on butcher paper so everyone can graze. Serves 25.

What's on the board

• 1 long table, about 2 x 6 feet, covered with brown butcher paper
• 2 brie rounds (8 oz each), left whole
• 1 smoked gouda round (7 oz), left whole
• 24 oz sharp cheddar (three 8 oz blocks): two sliced (about 40 slices), one cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 30 cubes)
• 32 oz sliced hard salami (about 96 slices), folded
• 8 oz sliced pepperoni (about 120 slices)
• 8 oz prosciutto (about 16 slices)
• 3 lb red grapes
• 2 lb green grapes
• 2 lb strawberries (about 32)
• 12 oz blackberries
• 6 oz roasted almonds
• 2 baguettes, sliced (about 48 slices)
• 96 round crackers
• 1/2 cup fig jam, split between 2 small bowls
• 1/2 cup honey, in a small bowl
• 1/2 cup whole-grain mustard, split between 2 small bowls

How to make it

1. Cover the table with butcher paper and tape it underneath at the ends.
2. Set the five bowls and the three cheese rounds down first, spaced along the table, with a fig jam and a mustard bowl near each end and the honey in the middle.
3. Run two long salami rivers down the table and shingle the pepperoni and cheddar slices in rows beside them.
4. Pile the cheese cubes, grapes, strawberries and blackberries into the big gaps, then fan the baguette slices and crackers along both long edges.
5. Drape the prosciutto in loose ribbons and fill the last small spaces with almonds.
6. Set out about half the meat and cheese at first and keep the rest covered in the fridge for refills, since meat and cheese shouldn't sit out more than 2 hours (USDA FSIS).

Where to get it

Brown butcher paper comes in rolls with the food wrap and kitchen supplies; it is made to touch food, unlike craft paper.

13. Birthday Balloon Charcuterie Board

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Six round "balloons" of salami, prosciutto, cheddar, gouda, green grapes and purple grapes, with pretzel-stick strings: a bright, colorful board for any birthday party. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), cubed (about 27 cubes)
• 7 oz aged gouda (a wedge), cubed (about 24 cubes)
• 12 oz green grapes, pulled off the stems
• 12 oz red grapes, pulled off the stems
• 6 oz blackberries
• 18 thin pretzel sticks
• 24 round crackers

How to make it

1. Pile each food in its own tight circle, about 5 inches across, in a cluster in the top two thirds of the board like a bunch of balloons: salami, prosciutto, cheddar cubes, gouda cubes, green grapes, and red grapes mixed with blackberries.
2. Lay 3 pretzel sticks end to end below each balloon as its string, angling all six strings in so they meet near the bottom of the board.
3. Fan the crackers in rows in the two bottom corners, on either side of the strings.

14. Birthday Present Charcuterie Board

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A square board laid out like a wrapped gift, with a "ribbon" of folded salami running both ways and a prosciutto bow in the center. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large square board, about 16 x 16 inches
• 16 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 48 slices)
• 3 oz prosciutto (about 6 slices)
• 8 oz brie (a small round), left whole
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 20 slices)
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 16 cubes)
• 1 lb red grapes
• 28 round crackers
• 1/4 cup fig jam, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Shingle the salami slices in a 3-inch-wide stripe across the middle of the board, then a second stripe the other way, so the board is split into four squares like a wrapped present.
2. Make the bow in the center: pinch 2 prosciutto slices into loops on either side, lay 2 more below as tails and bunch the last 2 in the middle as the knot.
3. Fill one square with the brie, the jam bowl and some crackers, one with shingled cheddar slices, one with the pepper jack cubes and the rest of the crackers, and one with the grapes.

15. Kids' Birthday Party Charcuterie Board

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The birthday child's age cut out of cheddar and Colby Jack, with rolled turkey and ham, crackers, pretzels, fruit and frosted animal crackers. Mild and easy for little hands. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 1 number cookie cutter (about 2 1/2 inches) in the birthday child's age
• 8 oz sliced mild cheddar (about 10 slices)
• 8 oz sliced Colby Jack (about 10 slices)
• 6 oz thin-sliced deli turkey (about 9 slices), rolled
• 6 oz thin-sliced deli ham (about 9 slices), rolled
• 13 round crackers
• 20 mini pretzel twists
• 12 strawberries
• 6 oz blueberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 16 frosted animal crackers

How to make it

1. Press the number cutter into each cheese slice to cut out the birthday child's age (15 numbers), and save the scraps for snacking.
2. Lay the cheese numbers in rows down the middle of the board, alternating the two colors.
3. Roll the turkey and ham slices into tight logs and line them up on both sides of the cheese.
4. Fill in with crackers, pretzels, strawberries, blueberries, grapes and animal crackers.
5. For toddlers and preschoolers, cut the grapes into quarters lengthwise.

Where to get it

Number cookie cutters are sold with the baking supplies and cake decorating tools, often in sets of 0 to 9.

16. Office Birthday Charcuterie Board

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A sturdy, easy-to-carry board of salami, summer sausage and three cheeses, built at home and brought in for a coworker's birthday. Serves 15.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 12 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 36 slices), folded
• 1 summer sausage (about 12 oz), thickly sliced (about 14 slices)
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), cubed (about 18 cubes)
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 18 cubes)
• 8 oz Colby Jack (a block), sliced (about 12 slices)
• 1 lb red grapes
• 12 oz green grapes
• 31 round crackers, packed separately
• 1/3 cup honey mustard, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Build the board at home with everything except the crackers: a salami river, rows of summer sausage and Colby Jack, stacks of cheese cubes and the grapes, with the mustard bowl in one corner.
2. Leave nuts off, since you may not know every coworker's allergies.
3. Wrap the board tightly in plastic wrap and carry it to work in a cooler with ice packs, then keep it in the office fridge until the party.
4. Unwrap it, tuck in the crackers and keep it out no more than 2 hours.

17. Backyard Birthday Party Board

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A summer birthday board for the backyard: salami, pepperoni, sturdy hard cheeses, sweet cherries, strawberries and cherry tomatoes, set out in the shade. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 8 oz sliced hard salami (about 24 slices), folded
• 4 oz sliced pepperoni (about 60 slices)
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 14 slices)
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 22 cubes)
• 6 oz Parmesan (a wedge), broken into bite-size chunks (about 20)
• 12 oz sweet cherries
• 12 oz strawberries (about 11)
• 9 cherry tomatoes
• 18 round crackers
• 1/4 cup whole-grain mustard, in a small bowl

How to make it

1. Keep the meat and cheese in a cooler with ice packs until the party starts.
2. Set the board in the shade, add the mustard bowl, and lay out the salami, pepperoni and cheeses first.
3. Fill in with the cherries, strawberries and tomatoes, and add the crackers last so they stay crisp.
4. On a day above 90°F, bring the board back inside after 1 hour; otherwise keep it out no more than 2 hours (USDA FSIS).
5. Set a small empty dish beside the board for cherry pits.

Why it works: Juicy sweet cherries play nicely against salty hard salami and nutty Parmesan.

In season: Sweet cherries are in season from late spring through summer; use red grapes the rest of the year.

Birthday cake and dessert charcuterie boards

18. Birthday Cake-Shaped Charcuterie Board

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Salami, cheddar and pepper jack laid out flat in the shape of a three-tier birthday cake, with prosciutto-wrapped breadstick candles and apricot flames. Serves 8.

What's on the board

• 1 board, about 12 x 18 inches
• 8 oz sharp cheddar (a block), sliced (about 16 slices)
• 10 oz sliced Genoa salami (about 30 slices), folded
• 8 oz pepper jack (a block), cubed (about 26 cubes)
• 6 oz white cheddar (a block), cubed (about 19 cubes)
• 6 oz raspberries
• 5 thin breadsticks, each broken to about 4 inches
• 2 1/2 oz prosciutto (5 slices)
• 5 dried apricots
• 16 round crackers

How to make it

1. Lay the crackers in one overlapping row across the bottom of the board as the cake stand.
2. Build the bottom tier just above them, about 11 inches wide: a row of folded salami, a row of shingled cheddar slices, then another row of salami.
3. Stack the pepper jack cubes in a narrower middle tier, about 8 inches wide, and the white cheddar cubes in a small top tier, about 5 inches wide.
4. Line the top edge of each tier with raspberries, like piped frosting.
5. Wrap each breadstick in a slice of prosciutto and lay them flat above the top tier as candles, with a dried apricot at the tip of each for the flame.

19. Birthday Cake Charcuterie Board

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A store-bought round birthday cake in the middle of a big round board, ringed with shortbread, white chocolate pretzels, sugar wafers, berries and candy. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large round board, about 18 inches across
• 1 frosted 6-inch round layer cake, set on a 7-inch parchment round
• 8 birthday candles
• 12 shortbread cookies
• 16 white chocolate-covered pretzels
• 16 sugar wafer cookies
• 15 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries
• 6 oz blueberries
• 3 oz candy-coated chocolates

How to make it

1. Set the cake on its parchment round in the middle of the board and push in the candles.
2. Arrange the shortbread, pretzels and sugar wafers in curved rows around the cake, like the spokes of a wheel.
3. Fill the spaces between them with the strawberries, raspberries, blueberries and candy.
4. After the candles are blown out, slice the cake right on the board.

Where to get it

Small 6-inch round frosted cakes are usually in the bakery case, and many bakery counters can write a name on top if you ask.

20. Confetti Dip Dessert Board

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A bowl of fluffy, sprinkle-filled confetti dip (it tastes like birthday cake frosting) surrounded by graham crackers, vanilla wafers, pretzels, animal crackers and strawberries. Serves 10.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• For the confetti dip (in a bowl): 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, 4 oz cream cheese, softened, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/2 tsp almond extract, a pinch of salt, 2 cups powdered sugar and 1/4 cup rainbow sprinkles
• 7 graham cracker sheets, broken in half (14 squares)
• 13 vanilla wafers
• 20 mini pretzel twists
• 20 animal crackers
• 9 strawberries

How to make it

1. Beat the butter and cream cheese with a mixer on medium-high until smooth, then beat in the vanilla, almond extract and salt.
2. Add the powdered sugar 1 cup at a time, beating well after each, then beat about 3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
3. Fold in most of the sprinkles, spoon the dip into a bowl and shake the rest over the top.
4. Set the bowl in the middle of the board and arrange the graham crackers, vanilla wafers, pretzels and animal crackers in curved rows around it.
5. Tuck the strawberries into the gaps.
6. Keep the dip covered in the fridge until the party, and keep the board out no more than 2 hours, since the dip is made with cream cheese and butter.

21. Decorate-Your-Own Cupcake Board

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24 plain cupcakes with bowls of vanilla and chocolate frosting, sprinkles, mini chocolate chips and candy, so every guest decorates their own. A fun kids' birthday party activity. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 extra-large board, about 16 x 24 inches
• 24 unfrosted cupcakes in paper liners (from 1 box of white cake mix)
• 1 cup vanilla frosting, in a small bowl
• 1 cup chocolate frosting, in a small bowl
• 2 oz rainbow sprinkles, in a small bowl
• 3 oz mini chocolate chips, in a small bowl
• 3 oz candy-coated chocolates
• 2 oz mini marshmallows
• 12 strawberries
• 6 oz raspberries

How to make it

1. Bake the cupcakes as the cake mix box directs and let them cool completely before anyone frosts them.
2. Set the two frosting bowls with small spreaders and the sprinkle and chocolate chip bowls with spoons along one side of the board.
3. Line up the cupcakes in rows down the middle.
4. Pile the candy-coated chocolates and marshmallows in the gaps, tuck in the strawberries and raspberries, and let everyone frost and top their own.

Where to get it

Paper cupcake liners, sprinkles and mini chocolate chips are in the baking aisle.

22. Cake Pop Birthday Board

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Fourteen sprinkle cake pops in a starburst, with chocolate chip cookies, yogurt-covered pretzels, berries, grapes and dark chocolate. Serves 12.

What's on the board

• 1 large board, about 14 x 20 inches
• 14 cake pops with sprinkles
• 12 chocolate chip cookies
• 16 yogurt-covered pretzels
• 10 strawberries
• 6 oz blackberries
• 12 oz green grapes
• 3 1/2 oz dark chocolate (1 bar), broken into about 14 pieces

How to make it

1. Lay the cake pops flat in a starburst in the middle of the board, sticks pointing in toward the center.
2. Shingle the cookies in a curved row on one side and pile the pretzels on the other.
3. Fill the gaps with the strawberries, blackberries and grapes, then tuck in the dark chocolate pieces.

Where to get it

Cake pops are sold in some bakery sections, but stock varies; order them from a bakery a few days ahead, or use donut holes instead.

How to make a birthday charcuterie board

1. Pick the shape. A regular board works, or cut the birthday person's age or first initial out of parchment paper, lay it on a big board and build right on top of it.
2. Plan the amounts. Figure about 2 ounces each of meat and cheese per guest, and more if the board is the main food at the party.
3. Set the big things first. Place the cheeses and any small bowls of jam, honey or mustard, spread apart.
4. Add the meat, then fill. Fold the salami into rows or a winding river, then fill every gap with fruit, crackers and nuts.
5. Add the birthday touch last. A candle in the brie, cheese letters or the cake in the middle goes on right before guests arrive, and the board should be out no more than 2 hours (USDA FSIS).

Want a sweets-only spread? See our dessert charcuterie board ideas. Celebrating with just one or two people? Try our small charcuterie board ideas.

What to skip

Skip an all-strong cheese lineup. One bold cheese is plenty, so keep the rest mild.

Birthday charcuterie board FAQ

What do you put on a birthday charcuterie board?

Start with the classics: two or three cheeses (a soft one like brie and a firm one like cheddar or gouda), two cured meats such as salami and prosciutto, crackers, fruit and a jam or honey. Then add a birthday touch, like a candle in the brie, cheese letters spelling happy birthday, a few cupcakes or the cake itself in the middle.

How do you make a number charcuterie board?

Draw the number on parchment paper, about 14 to 20 inches tall with strokes 3 to 5 inches wide, cut it out and lay it on a large board. Outline the edges with crackers or folded salami, fill the inside with cheese, meat and fruit, and leave the board around it bare so the number is easy to read.

How much charcuterie do I need for a birthday party?

Plan about 2 ounces each of meat and cheese per guest for an appetizer board, and double that if the board is the main food. For a party of 25, that is about 3 pounds of meat and 3 pounds of cheese, plus crackers, bread and fruit.

How far ahead can I make a birthday charcuterie board?

Build the meat, cheese and fruit up to 3 hours ahead, cover it and keep it in the fridge. Add crackers right before serving so they stay crisp, and don't leave it out more than 2 hours.

What is a good birthday charcuterie board for kids?

Keep it mild and easy to pick up: rolled turkey and ham, mild cheddar or Colby Jack cut into the child's age with a number cutter, round crackers, pretzels, strawberries, blueberries and grapes. For toddlers and preschoolers, cut grapes into quarters lengthwise.

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