Maple Leaf Grazing Tray

Featured in: Seasonal Pastries

This colorful tray celebrates the flavors of fall with a distinctive maple leaf arrangement. Layers of aged cheddar, brie, and goat cheese mingle with prosciutto, salami, and smoked turkey, complemented by fresh grapes, apple and pear slices, dried cranberries, and maple-glazed pecans. Crackers and baguette slices outline the shape, while honey and fig jam add sweet contrast. Garnished with rosemary and optional edible flowers, this platter offers an inviting combination ideal for gatherings or easy entertaining.

Updated on Sat, 29 Nov 2025 09:42:00 GMT
Vibrant Maple Leaf Grazing Tray bursting with colorful fruits, cheeses, meats, and crackers for autumn entertaining. Save
Vibrant Maple Leaf Grazing Tray bursting with colorful fruits, cheeses, meats, and crackers for autumn entertaining. | butterhearth.com

A vibrant, seasonal grazing tray arranged in the shape of a maple leaf, featuring an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, nuts, and crackers& perfect for autumn entertaining.

This grazing tray is always a hit at our family gatherings, bringing color and variety to the table.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 100 g aged cheddar, cubed, 100 g brie, sliced, 100 g goat cheese, crumbled
  • Charcuterie (omit for vegetarian option): 100 g prosciutto, folded, 100 g salami, sliced, 100 g smoked turkey, rolled
  • Fruits: 1 cup red grapes, halved, 1 cup green grapes, halved, 1 apple, sliced, 1 pear, sliced, ½ cup dried cranberries
  • Nuts & Extras: ½ cup maple-glazed pecans, ½ cup walnuts, ¼ cup honey, ¼ cup fig jam
  • Crackers & Bread: 1 baguette, sliced, 200 g assorted crackers
  • Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs, Edible flowers (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
On a large board or tray, outline the shape of a maple leaf using parchment paper or by arranging crackers and bread as a guide.
Step 2:
Arrange cheeses evenly throughout the maple leaf shape.
Step 3:
Artfully fold and place charcuterie slices around the cheeses, filling in gaps.
Step 4:
Fill in spaces with grapes, apple and pear slices, and dried cranberries for color contrast.
Step 5:
Scatter maple-glazed pecans and walnuts throughout the tray.
Step 6:
Place small bowls of honey and fig jam on the board.
Step 7:
Add crackers and baguette slices along the edges and within the shape to maintain the maple leaf outline.
Step 8:
Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers, if desired.
Step 9:
Serve immediately, replenishing items as needed.
A visually appealing Maple Leaf Grazing Tray, showcasing creamy brie, salty prosciutto, and sweet grapes, ready to serve. Save
A visually appealing Maple Leaf Grazing Tray, showcasing creamy brie, salty prosciutto, and sweet grapes, ready to serve. | butterhearth.com

This tray always sparks conversation and brings everyone together during our fall celebrations.

Required Tools

Large serving board or tray, Small bowls for honey and jam, Cheese knives, Paring knife

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese), Tree nuts (pecans, walnuts), Gluten (crackers, bread). Some charcuterie may contain allergens like mustard check labels.

Nutritional Information

Per serving: Calories ~320, Total Fat 17 g, Carbohydrates 32 g, Protein 12 g

Festive Maple Leaf Grazing Tray with an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie and fruits, perfect for fall gatherings. Save
Festive Maple Leaf Grazing Tray with an assortment of cheeses, charcuterie and fruits, perfect for fall gatherings. | butterhearth.com

Enjoy this elegant and colorful grazing tray at your next gathering for a fuss-free yet impressive appetizer.

Recipe Questions

How can I make a vegetarian version?

Simply omit the charcuterie and add marinated vegetables or extra cheese varieties to maintain fullness and flavor.

What is the best way to keep apple and pear slices fresh?

Toss the slices in lemon juice before arranging to prevent browning and maintain a fresh appearance.

Can this tray be prepared in advance?

Arrange most ingredients shortly before serving to keep textures crisp and flavors fresh, especially fruits and garnishes.

What beverages pair well with this grazing tray?

This tray pairs beautifully with dry Riesling or sparkling cider, enhancing its autumnal flavors.

Are there allergen considerations to keep in mind?

Yes, this tray contains milk, tree nuts, and gluten. Substitute ingredients accordingly for dietary restrictions.

Maple Leaf Grazing Tray

An autumnal tray arranged in a maple leaf shape featuring cheeses, charcuterie, fruits, nuts, and crackers for sharing.

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


Skill Level Easy

Heritage North American

Output 9 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-Free

Components

Cheeses

01 3.5 oz aged cheddar, cubed
02 3.5 oz brie, sliced
03 3.5 oz goat cheese, crumbled

Charcuterie

01 3.5 oz prosciutto, folded
02 3.5 oz salami, sliced
03 3.5 oz smoked turkey, rolled

Fruits

01 1 cup red grapes, halved
02 1 cup green grapes, halved
03 1 apple, sliced
04 1 pear, sliced
05 ½ cup dried cranberries

Nuts & Extras

01 ½ cup maple-glazed pecans
02 ½ cup walnuts
03 ¼ cup honey
04 ¼ cup fig jam

Crackers & Bread

01 1 baguette, sliced
02 7 oz assorted crackers

Garnishes

01 Fresh rosemary sprigs
02 Edible flowers (optional)

Directions

Stage 01

Outline maple leaf shape: Use parchment paper or arrange crackers and bread on a large serving board to form the shape of a maple leaf.

Stage 02

Distribute cheeses: Evenly place cubed cheddar, sliced brie, and crumbled goat cheese within the maple leaf outline.

Stage 03

Arrange charcuterie: Fold and position prosciutto, salami, and smoked turkey slices around the cheeses, filling spaces.

Stage 04

Add fruits: Fill remaining gaps with halved red and green grapes, apple and pear slices tossed in lemon juice, and dried cranberries for vibrant contrast.

Stage 05

Scatter nuts: Distribute maple-glazed pecans and walnuts evenly across the tray.

Stage 06

Place honey and fig jam: Set small bowls of honey and fig jam on the board for accompaniment.

Stage 07

Add crackers and bread: Layer baguette slices and assorted crackers along the edges and inside the maple leaf shape to maintain definition.

Stage 08

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

Stage 09

Serve and replenish: Present the tray immediately and replenish items as needed during the gathering.

Necessary tools

  • Large serving board or tray
  • Small bowls for honey and jam
  • Cheese knives
  • Paring knife

Allergy details

Review each component for potential allergens and consider consulting with a healthcare provider if you're unsure about certain ingredients.
  • Contains milk (cheeses), tree nuts (pecans, walnuts), gluten (crackers, bread).
  • Charcuterie may contain mustard allergens; verify product labels.
  • Substitute ingredients accordingly for nut-free or gluten-free requirements, ensuring allergen-free packaging.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are estimates only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy Value: 320
  • Fats: 17 g
  • Carbohydrates: 32 g
  • Protein Content: 12 g