Autumn Harvest Horn Centerpiece (Print Version)

A festive autumn centerpiece overflowing with dried fruits, assorted nuts, and a selection of rustic cheeses.

# Components:

→ Fruit & Nuts

01 - 1 cup dried apricots
02 - 1 cup dried figs
03 - 1 cup dried cranberries
04 - 1 cup dried apple rings
05 - 1 cup seedless grapes (optional)
06 - 1 cup walnuts
07 - 1 cup pecans
08 - 1 cup almonds

→ Cheeses

09 - 6 ounces aged cheddar, cubed
10 - 6 ounces creamy goat cheese, sliced
11 - 6 ounces rustic blue cheese, crumbled
12 - 6 ounces aged gouda or similar hard cheese, cubed

→ Crackers & Bread

13 - 2 cups rustic crackers or gluten-free crackers
14 - 1 small baguette, sliced

→ Garnishes

15 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
16 - Fresh thyme sprigs
17 - Edible flowers or seasonal leaves (optional)

→ Cornucopia Base

18 - 1 large wicker cornucopia basket or homemade edible bread horn (optional)

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Position the cornucopia basket or bread horn on a large serving platter or board.
02 - Place cheeses inside the opening of the horn, allowing some pieces to spill outward for visual abundance.
03 - Layer dried fruits and nuts around and spilling out of the horn, mixing colors and textures for an appealing presentation.
04 - Tuck crackers and bread slices along the sides or in small bunches among the fruits and nuts.
05 - Decorate with fresh rosemary, thyme sprigs, and optional edible flowers or leaves to evoke a festive harvest theme.
06 - Present at room temperature, inviting guests to select preferred combinations.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires no cooking—just thoughtful arrangement and maybe 25 minutes of your time.
  • You get to play with colors and textures in a way that feels like edible art, and your guests will talk about it for weeks.
  • Every bite is a different surprise: creamy cheese, tart cranberries, buttery nuts, all mingling together in unexpected ways.
  • It works beautifully as both a centerpiece and an appetizer, earning its spot at any harvest celebration.
02 -
  • Cheese temperature matters more than you'd think—room-temperature cheese is creamy and approachable; cold cheese feels stingy. Pull it out of the fridge at least 15 minutes before assembling.
  • If you're worried about stability, a shallow bowl filled with crumpled parchment paper under the board gives everything an extra anchor, and nobody will ever know.
  • Start arranging about an hour before serving. Yes, it takes a little longer, but the fruits soften slightly, the nuts settle into the arrangement, and somehow it all feels more intentional and less 'just thrown together.'
03 -
  • If you're short on time, buy pre-cut cheese cubes—nobody needs to know, and you'll still have hours instead of minutes to arrange everything beautifully.
  • Toast your nuts lightly in a dry pan for 3-4 minutes just before building. That small step makes a noticeable difference in flavor and crispness, and it takes almost no time.
  • A wooden board or dark ceramic platter makes the colors of the fruits and cheeses pop in ways you won't expect. Presentation is part of this recipe.
Return