Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (2024)

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This candy Valentine’s charcuterie board is filled with candy hearts, heart marshmallow’s, chocolate hearts and other sweet treats! Make this Valentine’s Day charcuterie board with our easy step by step pictures and instructions.

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (1)

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If you are looking to make the perfect Valentine’s charcuterie board with your favorite Valentine’s Day candy, you are in luck!

There are so many different candies and sweet treats you can choose from to make the perfect Valentine’s candy board.

Plus, you can riff and make other Valentine’s charcuterie board ideas such as a heart shaped candy board, heart shaped charcuterie box, romantic charcuterie board or Galentine’s Day charcuterie board!

The sky is the limit and creative liberty is where it’s at! Hearts galore, vibe with that love and romance! If you love sweet treat, don’t miss this Edible Sugar Cookie Dough and this Strawberry Cheesecake Martini.

Now, before you start shouting, “but Aubrey, charcuterie means meat!” You are correct. TheMerriam-Webster definition of charcuterieis “a delicatessen specializing in dressed meats and meat dishes, also:the products sold in such a shop.”

That being said, we are seeing a broadened interpretation of the words charcuterie board to mean a bountiful board with anything from meats and cheeses (Trader Joe’smeat and cheese board), to vegetables, to candy and fun holiday and themed boards (ex:Easter Charcuterie Board and Halloween Charcuterie Board).

So, technically, this Valentine’s Day charcuterie board is a Valentine’s candy board. Are we good now?

And speaking of boards, check out this Thanksgiving charcuterie board, Fall charcuterie board and Christmas charcuterie board for when those leaves and snow start to fall!

And since we are discussing Valentine’s Day, romance and all things love, be sure to check out these Red Velvet Cake Mix Cookies, Espresso Martini and Lobster Ravioli Sauce for a well rounded romantic Valentine’s Day meal!

Why this recipe works

  • You can make asmall, medium or large size candy boardor a combination thereof.
  • There is no limit to the types of candy and sweet treats you can use. The beautiful part about creating a Valentine’s inspired board is that you can becompletely creative with the look and flavors.
  • All of the candy ingredients for this dessert board can be purchased online or at your local store such as Walmart, Target, Trader Joe’s or, my personal favorite for a great budget shop, the Dollar Store making this areasonably priced Valentine’s party dessert!

Ingredients

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (2)

Depending on the size of the board you are using, I recommend the following rough numbers. If you prefer more variety on your board, you can always buy extra bags of different Valentine’s Day candy. Trust me, the extra candy won’t go to waste!

  • 10-12packagesValentine’s Day candy, assorted choices(large board)
  • 6-8packagesValentine’s Day candy, assorted choices(medium board)
  • 4-6packagesValentine’s Day candy, assorted choices(small board)
Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (3)

See also below for myextensive list of different candy optionsyou can buy for your Valentine’s charcuterie board.

You can click the links if you want to buy online or to get an idea of what they look like so you can buy them at your local retail store.

How to make a Valentine’s charcuterie board

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (4)

Build a Foundation

Place any bowls first. Then, place any larger candy (such as the cupcakes, chocolate Valentine characters (unicorn and raccoon), large candy packages and twizzlers around the edges).

This sets your foundation. From there, you will want to arrange your items in descending order focusing on next heaviest or large items. The items should get gradually smaller and fill in the gaps.

Create Movement on the Board

You want to utilize movement to create a beautiful board. Experiment with placing your bowls off-center in a variety of places on the board.

When placing the foods, you can create a combination of wavy patterns or more uniform placements. Don’t be afraid to play.

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (5)

Contrast your Colors

When placing your foods, contrast your colors indifferent areas of the board.

For example, if you have pink candy, you might place them near white or red candy instead of near the same color. This creates visual excitement.

Vary your Sizes

Play around with placing larger items next to smaller items. You can also experiment with different sizes of Valentine’s candy.

Vary Flavors

Depending on your preferences, it is always great to have a variety of flavors on the plate.

Use different chocolates, gummies, sour candy, lollipops, twizzlers, marshmallows etc. This variety is part of the fun of this Valentine candy charcuterie boards.

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (6)

Amounts:The amounts of each item will depend on the size of your board and your taste preferences.

Don’t be afraid to grab a few extras so you have a full and bountiful Valentine’s charcuterie board. I don’t know about you but leftover candy never seems to be a problem in my house!

Where to Purchase Candy: Dollar store (you can get almost all of the items on this board from here!), Target, Walmart and Trader Joe’s are my favorite stores to pick up reasonably priced Valentine’s Day candy options.

Best boards and bowls for charcuterie

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (7)

You can use any type of wood board for charcuterie. You can also use a plastic or glass platter as well.

Small, medium or large depends on how many people you are feeding and the visual aesthetic you are going for.

A few great wooden charcuterie boards you can buy online are this Basic Rectangle Board, a Board with Handle or this Rounded Board.

As far as bowls to use on your charcuterie or candy board, it is fun to use different shapes and sizes of bowls for visual contract.

A few of my favorites include a more traditional Round Bowl paired with a Square Bowl or Heart Shaped Bowl for Valentine’s Day!

FAQ and expert tips

Where to buy Valentine’s Day candy?

The best places to buy Valentine’s Day candy are the Dollar store, Target, Walmart and Trader Joe’s for reasonably priced Valentine’s Day candy options.

Should my candy be packaged or unpackaged on my Valentine’s candy board?

You can use packaged, unpackaged or a combination thereof. Adding variety to your board adds visual appeal. Sometimes the packaging on the candy is eye-catching and sometimes the unpackaged looks better. Let your creativity be your guide!

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (8)

Looking for other delicious Valentine’s Day recipes?

  • Best Valentine’s Day Wine
  • Godiva Chocolate Martini
  • Lobster Ravioli Sauce
  • Pistachio Crusted Salmon

Hungry for more? Subscribe to my EMAIL NEWSLETTER and follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest for all of the latest delicious food!

You can also comment below. I LOVE hearing from you! If you loved the recipe, a 5 STAR RATING is the ultimate compliment as food is my love language!

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (13)

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board

This candy Valentine's charcuterie board is filled with candy hearts, heart marshmallow's, chocolate hearts and other sweet treats! Make this Valentine's Day charcuterie board with our easy step by step pictures and instructions.

5 from 8 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Appetizer, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 people

Calories: 440kcal

Author: Aubrey

Cost: $20

Equipment

  • Charcuterie board, various smaller bowls

Ingredients

Ingredients Based on Size of Board

  • 10-12 packages Valentine's Day candy, assorted choices (large board)
  • 6-8 packages Valentine's Day candy, assorted choices (medium board)
  • 4-6 packages Valentine's Day candy, assorted choices (small board)

Valentine's Day Charcuterie Candy Options

Instructions

Build a Foundation

  • Place any bowls first. Then, place any larger candy (such as the cupcakes, chocolate Valentine characters (unicorn and raccoon), large candy packages and twizzlers around the edges). This sets your foundation. From there, you will want to arrange your items in descending order focusing on next heaviest or large items. The items should get gradually smaller and fill in the gaps.

Create Movement on the Board

  • You want to utilize movement to create a beautiful board. Experiment with placing your bowls off-center in a variety of places on the board. When placing the foods, you can create a combination of wavy patterns or more uniform placements. Don’t be afraid to play.

Contrast your Colors

  • When placing your foods, contrast your colors indifferent areas of the board. For example, if you have pink candy, you might place them near white or red candy instead of near the same color. This creates visual excitement.

Vary your Sizes

  • Play around with placing larger items next to smaller items. You can also experiment with different sizes of Valentine's candy.

Vary Flavors

  • Depending on your preferences, it is always great to have a variety of flavors on the plate. Use different chocolates, gummies, sour candy, lollipops, twizzlers, marshmallows etc. This variety is part of the fun of this Valentine candy charcuterie boards.

Notes

Amounts: The amounts of each item will depend on the size of your board and your taste preferences. Don’t be afraid to grab a few extras so you have a full and bountiful Valentine’s charcuterie board. Leftovers are always great!

Where to Purchase Candy: Dollar store (you can get almost all of the items on this board from here!), Target, Walmart and Trader Joe’s are my favorite stores to pick up reasonably priced Valentine’s Day candy options.

Step by Step: There are step by step process shots in the post if you want to build this exact Valentine’s Day candy board.

Nutrition

Calories: 440kcal | Carbohydrates: 71g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 111mg | Potassium: 141mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 56g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 25mg | Calcium: 30mg | Iron: 1mg

Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AubreysHealthyKitchen or tag #aubreyshealthykitchen!

Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts

Introduction

I am an expert and enthusiast assistant. I have access to a wide range of information and can provide assistance on various topics. I am here to help you with any questions or information you need.

Valentine's Charcuterie Board

The concept of a Valentine's Charcuterie Board involves creating a visually appealing and delicious display of various candies and sweet treats for Valentine's Day. It is a creative and fun way to celebrate the holiday and indulge in a variety of flavors and textures.

Ingredients

The ingredients for a Valentine's Charcuterie Board can vary depending on the size of the board and personal preferences. Here are some common ingredients that can be used:

  • Valentine's Day candy (assorted choices)
  • Valentine's Day cupcakes, cookies, or bars
  • Palmer Valentine's Day Cuddly Cuties Chocolate Candy
  • Sour Patch Kids Hearts
  • Sour Patch Kids Strawberry
  • Sour Patch Kids Black Raspberry Sour Hearts
  • Original Twizzlers
  • Cherry Twizzlers
  • Pink Marshmallow Peeps
  • Pink Hershey Kisses
  • Red Hershey Kisses
  • Valentine Colored M&M's
  • Smarties Valentine Hearts
  • Haribo Sweet and Sour Gummy Hearts
  • Palmer Double Crisp Hearts
  • Palmer Fudge Hearts
  • Palmer Cookies & Cream Hearts
  • Heart Shaped Marshmallows
  • Chocolate truffles
  • Trader Joe's Peppermint Pretzel Slims

Please note that the quantities of each item will depend on the size of the board and personal taste preferences. It is recommended to have a variety of flavors and textures to create an exciting and enjoyable experience.

Building the Board

To create a Valentine's Charcuterie Board, follow these steps:

  1. Build a Foundation: Start by placing any bowls first. Then, arrange larger candies, such as cupcakes, chocolate Valentine characters, large candy packages, and twizzlers, around the edges. This sets the foundation of the board.

  2. Create Movement on the Board: Utilize movement to create a visually appealing board. Experiment with placing bowls off-center in different areas of the board. When placing the candies, create a combination of wavy patterns or more uniform placements. Don't be afraid to play around with the arrangement.

  3. Contrast Colors: When placing the candies, consider contrasting colors in different areas of the board. For example, if you have pink candies, place them near white or red candies instead of grouping them together. This creates visual excitement and adds to the overall appeal of the board.

  4. Vary Sizes: Play around with placing larger items next to smaller items. Experiment with different sizes of Valentine's candies to create visual interest and variety.

  5. Vary Flavors: It is recommended to have a variety of flavors on the board. Use different chocolates, gummies, sour candies, lollipops, twizzlers, marshmallows, and other treats to provide a range of flavors and textures.

Remember, the amounts of each item will depend on the size of the board and personal preferences. Don't hesitate to add a few extra candies to ensure a full and bountiful Valentine's Charcuterie Board.

Where to Purchase Candy

You can purchase Valentine's Day candy from various stores, including:

  • Dollar store: Dollar stores often offer a wide selection of affordable Valentine's Day candy options.
  • Target: Target is known for its seasonal candy displays and offers a variety of Valentine's Day treats.
  • Walmart: Walmart is another popular option for purchasing Valentine's Day candy, with a range of choices available.
  • Trader Joe's: Trader Joe's is known for its unique and high-quality candy options, including seasonal treats.

These stores offer reasonably priced options and can provide a wide selection of candies for your Valentine's Charcuterie Board.

I hope this information helps you create a delightful and visually appealing Valentine's Charcuterie Board. Enjoy your Valentine's Day celebration!

Valentine’s Charcuterie Board (2024)

FAQs

What is the 3-3-3 rule for charcuterie? ›

What is the 3-3-3-3 Rule for Charcuterie Boards? No matter the style of the wood charcuterie board, you can always follow the 3-3-3-3 rule. Every charcuterie board should have three meats, three cheeses, three starch options, and three accompaniments, such as fruit, nuts, or veggies.

What are 5 things to avoid on a charcuterie board? ›

5 Mistakes You are Making on Your Charcuterie Board
  • Peppers: Whether green, red, or yellow, peppers are best avoided. ...
  • Tricky vegetables: Namely, tomatoes or Asparagus. ...
  • Jalapeno stuffed olives (or anything too spicy): Very hot foods simply don't work well with most wines, and they can overwhelm your taste buds.

Is a charcuterie board enough for a party? ›

Charcuterie boards—in whatever form they take—are a party staple and an excellent way to express yourself. Whatever you do with them, enjoy the creation process!

What are the best 3 cheeses for a charcuterie board? ›

Here's some of the best cheese for charcuterie boards: Hard cheese: chunks of parmesan, aged gouda, asiago. Firm cheese: gruyere, comte, manchego, colby, cheddar. Semi-soft cheese: havarti, butterkäse, muenster.

What is the key to a good charcuterie board? ›

Five Keys to a Great Charcuterie Board
  • Fruits Should Always Be Seasonal. Make sure whenever you're preparing the charcuterie board, you're using fresh, in-season fruits. ...
  • Keep Color in Mind. Fruits are a great way to bring color into the picture. ...
  • Pair Meats and Cheeses Creatively. ...
  • Presentation is Huge. ...
  • Keep Flow in Mind.
Sep 23, 2019

What pairs well on a charcuterie board? ›

Include creamy cheeses, crunchy pickles, crusty bread, and delicate slices of cured meats. The interplay of different textures can add depth and interest to your pairings. Think about visual appeal: Consider the visual aspect of your charcuterie board.

How do you make the most beautiful charcuterie board? ›

Divide your board into quadrants, and place one type of meat in the middle of each quadrant. There are different ways to place the charcuterie: You can shape slices into a rose-like shape, by rolling them like a cinnamon roll. Little clumps and swirls of cured hams are easy and fun.

How do you impress a charcuterie board? ›

Artfully arrange where you want your cheese selection and jars, bowls of olives, jams, and antipasti to go, then place varieties of meat slices and rolled up meats around. Scatter crackers and bread sticks to fill up space, then add your fruit, nuts, and herbs to make keep the colors balanced and beautiful.

Are there rules for charcuterie boards? ›

The flavors can be paired with the cheeses or chosen for their unique qualities, but always aim to have something spicy, something smoky, and something unexpected. Rule of thumb: 1 small salami, 1 large salami, 1 whole-muscle meat.

Can I put oranges on a charcuterie board? ›

Here is a list of great fruits to include on a Charcuterie board: Apples, strawberries, blueberries, cherries, grapes, oranges and pears. These can be sliced and presented beautifully.

What wood should not be used for charcuterie boards? ›

Avoid using woods with open pores, high toxicity, or prone to splintering for cutting boards. Examples include pine, cedar, and certain tropical hardwoods like rosewood or teak. Instead, opt for dense, closed-grain hardwoods like maple, cherry, or walnut, which are safer and more hygienic for food preparation.

What charcuterie board items don't need to be refrigerated? ›

In some cases, you don't need to refrigerate any of the products. Dry whole salami and American-style country ham are well-preserved, as with most other whole or vacuum sealed dry-cured meats.

How many pieces of meat per person for a charcuterie board? ›

Plan for about 1-2 ounces of meat per person. At the deli counter, ask for your meat selections to be sliced thin (at a 1-2 thickness) so they're easy to layer. Now it's time to pair your dry sausage selections with complimentary cheeses.

How long before an event should you make a charcuterie board? ›

*You can easily prep boards in advance. Prepare up to 24 hours in advance, cover, and store in the fridge until ready to serve. Continue scrolling down to get my charcuterie grocery list to give you a list of ideas!

What is the proper etiquette for eating charcuterie? ›

Charcuterie is best enjoyed on its own, naked (the charcuterie, not you). You do not ordinarily eat it on or in bread. But, where a board is being eaten as a de facto main course, bread is often added as a bulking agent, eaten at intervals to fill you up.

What are the three starches for charcuterie? ›

3 Starches: we like Taralli (a traditional Italian cracker almost like a small, circular breadstick), Artisan Crisps by Rustic Bakery, and baguettes from Gilles Baguettes.

References

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