Flickering Fire Log Snack

Featured in: Comfort Baking

This vibrant snack board highlights smoked gouda, sharp cheddar, and brie paired with prosciutto and salami, complemented by dried apricots, cranberries, grapes, and roasted nuts. Breadsticks and pretzel rods mimic the stacked fire logs, while gummy candies and mango strips add blazing color. Fresh rosemary and edible flowers finish the display, perfect for gatherings or quiet nights.

Gluten-free and vegetarian options are easily accommodated, with versatile pairings such as bold red wine or spiced cider enhancing the cozy atmosphere. Rapid assembly and no cook time make this an effortless centerpiece full of textures and flavors that invite sharing and enjoyment.

Updated on Tue, 02 Dec 2025 09:32:00 GMT
Flickering Fire Log Snack Board, a colorful cheese and cracker appetizer for a cozy party, is ready to serve. Save
Flickering Fire Log Snack Board, a colorful cheese and cracker appetizer for a cozy party, is ready to serve. | butterhearth.com

A cozy, visually stunning snack board inspired by the warmth of a crackling fire, featuring a medley of sweet and savory treats arranged to resemble a flickering fire log. Perfect for gatherings or a festive night in.

This snack board was a hit at our last family gathering, sparking great conversations and smiles all around.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 100 g smoked gouda sliced into log shapes, 100 g sharp cheddar sliced, 100 g brie cut into wedges
  • Meats (optional): 75 g prosciutto, 75 g spicy salami
  • Breads & Crackers: 1 cup breadsticks to mimic fire logs, 1 cup multigrain crackers, 1 cup pretzel rods
  • Fruits & Nuts: 1/2 cup dried apricots, 1/2 cup dried cranberries, 1 cup red grapes, 1/3 cup roasted almonds, 1/3 cup candied pecans
  • Vegetables: 1/2 cup mini sweet peppers sliced, 1/2 cup carrot sticks
  • Sweet Elements (for flames): 1/2 cup orange and red gummy candies e.g. gummy bears, fruit slices, 1/2 cup dried mango strips
  • Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs to resemble pine needles, edible flowers optional for color

Instructions

Arrange Logs:
On a large wooden board or platter arrange breadsticks and pretzel rods in the center to mimic stacked fire logs.
Layer Ingredients:
Layer sliced cheeses and meats if using around and over the logs to add volume and interest.
Create Flames:
Place red grapes dried apricots cranberries mango strips and orange/red gummies above the logs to create a flame-like effect.
Add Vegetables:
Tuck in sliced sweet peppers and carrot sticks among the flames for extra color and crunch.
Scatter Snacks:
Scatter crackers nuts and candied pecans around the edges for easy grazing.
Garnish:
Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers for a festive touch.
Serve:
Serve immediately and encourage guests to enjoy the snack board with their favorite drinks.
Arrangement of the Flicker Fire Log Snack Board shows various cheeses and fruits, like a burning fire log. Save
Arrangement of the Flicker Fire Log Snack Board shows various cheeses and fruits, like a burning fire log. | butterhearth.com

This snack board brings the family together with its inviting look and shareable flavors.

Required Tools

Large wooden serving board or platter, Cheese knives, Small bowls for nuts or candies optional

Allergen Information

Contains Milk cheese Tree nuts almonds pecans Wheat crackers breadsticks Soy in some processed snacks Pork if using prosciutto salami Always check individual product labels for allergen statements.

Nutritional Information

Calories 320 Total Fat 15 g Carbohydrates 34 g Protein 12 g per serving

This Flicker Fire Log Snack Board recipe offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures, with fresh garnishes. Save
This Flicker Fire Log Snack Board recipe offers a delightful blend of flavors and textures, with fresh garnishes. | butterhearth.com

Enjoy this snack board as the perfect centerpiece for your next cozy gathering.

Recipe Questions

What cheeses work best for this board?

Smoked gouda, sharp cheddar, and brie offer a balanced range of creamy textures and smoky, tangy notes that complement the other ingredients beautifully.

Can the meats be omitted?

Yes, for vegetarian or vegan preferences, simply skip the prosciutto and salami and opt for plant-based cheese alternatives to keep the flavor and texture variety.

How can I mimic the fire log effect?

Arrange breadsticks and pretzel rods stacked in the center to resemble fire logs, then layer slices of cheese and meats around them before adding colorful fruits and candies on top.

Are there gluten-free options available?

Certainly. Use gluten-free crackers and breadsticks in place of the traditional ones to cater to gluten sensitivity without compromising the visual appeal.

What drinks pair well with this board?

Bold red wines or warmly spiced ciders complement the smoky and sweet flavors, enhancing the cozy, inviting character of the board.

How long can the board sit before serving?

Because this board involves no cooking, it can be assembled shortly before serving to maintain freshness, especially with perishable elements like cheese and fresh herbs.

Flickering Fire Log Snack

A cozy snack board arranged with cheese, meats, fruits, and nuts to evoke the warmth of a fire.

Prep duration
20 min
0
Complete duration
20 min
Created by Grace Mitchell


Skill Level Easy

Heritage American

Output 6 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-Free

Components

Cheeses

01 3.5 oz smoked gouda, sliced into log shapes
02 3.5 oz sharp cheddar, sliced
03 3.5 oz brie, cut into wedges

Meats (optional)

01 2.6 oz prosciutto
02 2.6 oz spicy salami

Breads & Crackers

01 1 cup breadsticks
02 1 cup multigrain crackers
03 1 cup pretzel rods

Fruits & Nuts

01 1/2 cup dried apricots
02 1/2 cup dried cranberries
03 1 cup red grapes
04 1/3 cup roasted almonds
05 1/3 cup candied pecans

Vegetables

01 1/2 cup mini sweet peppers, sliced
02 1/2 cup carrot sticks

Sweet Elements

01 1/2 cup orange and red gummy candies
02 1/2 cup dried mango strips

Garnishes

01 Fresh rosemary sprigs
02 Edible flowers (optional)

Directions

Stage 01

Arrange Fire Logs: Place breadsticks and pretzel rods in the center of a large wooden board to mimic stacked fire logs.

Stage 02

Layer Cheeses and Meats: Surround and layer cheeses and optional cured meats over and around the breadsticks to add volume.

Stage 03

Create Flame Effect: Arrange red grapes, dried apricots, cranberries, dried mango strips, and gummy candies above the logs to simulate flickering flames.

Stage 04

Add Vegetables: Nestle sliced mini sweet peppers and carrot sticks among the flame elements for added color and texture.

Stage 05

Scatter Crackers and Nuts: Distribute multigrain crackers, roasted almonds, and candied pecans around the edges for easy grazing.

Stage 06

Garnish: Decorate the board with fresh rosemary sprigs and optional edible flowers to enhance appearance.

Stage 07

Serve: Present immediately, inviting guests to enjoy with their preferred beverages.

Necessary tools

  • Large wooden serving board or platter
  • Cheese knives
  • Small bowls (optional)

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consider consulting with a healthcare provider if you're unsure about certain ingredients.
  • Contains milk, tree nuts, wheat, soy, and pork if using cured meats. Verify product labels for allergens.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy Value: 320
  • Fats: 15 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Protein Content: 12 g