Name: Cheese and Charcuterie Heart Box
Ingredients: prosciutto; salami; mortadella; mini Brie bites cheese rounds; sharp cheddar cheeses; cheese cubes; aged white cheddar; crumbled blue cheese; heart-shaped crackers; beet crackers; Fig and Olive crisps; strawberries; raspberries; blueberries; apple slices; red grapes; green grapes; cherries with the stem; fresh figs; dried figs; dried apricots; dried apricots, cut into heart-shapes; dried cherries; Marcona almonds; candied pecans; sesame cashews; black olives; pimento stuffed green olives; cornichons; honey with honeycomb

Jump to Recipe

Don’t throw away that cute box your Valentine’s Day chocolates came in! Use it to make an extra special Cheese and Charcuterie Heart Box to snack on with your love.

I Love a Yummy Tradition

Got Valentine’s Day chocolates? Hold onto that box! I’ve been making a variation of this Cheese and Charcuterie Heart Box for years (see here and here) and I am so excited to share it with you! It’s such a super cute, versatile, and yummy way to serve your Valentine’s Day appetizer. Whether it’s just you and your someone special, or you’re sharing it with the whole family, it’s a festive way to celebrate the day. So easy to customize and serve! I’ve used the same box (and lid!) several years in a row, and each time it’s so delicious and fun.

Ingredient Options

Because you’re making this in a container with limited space, there’s no need to go overboard on ingredients. A little of this, a bit of that. Use what you have on hand and keep favorites handy to replenish, if you like. Be sure to reference my How We Charcuterie and Cheese Board post for details on all of our favorite meats, cheeses and accompaniments. Here are some of the ingredients we’ve enjoyed in our cheese and charcuterie heart boxes over the years:

Charcuterie (Meat):

prosciutto
salami
mortadella

Cheese:

mini Brie bites cheese rounds
sharp cheddar cheeses
cheese cubes
aged white cheddar
crumbled blue cheese

Crackers:

heart-shaped crackers
beet crackers
Fig and Olive crisps

Fresh Fruits:

strawberries
raspberries
blueberries
apple slices
red grapes
green grapes
cherries with the stem
fresh figs

Dried Fruits:

dried figs
dried apricots
dried apricots, cut into heart-shapes
dried cherries

Nuts:

Marcona almonds
candied pecans
sesame cashews

Pickled Items:

black olives
pimento stuffed green olives
cornichons

Spreads:

honey with honeycomb
mustard with mustard seeds
strawberry jam
pepper jelly
fig preserves

Valentine’s-Inspired Additions:

M&M’s Valentine’s Cupid’s Mix Chocolate Candies
Reese’s Valentine’s Pink Peanut Butter Hearts
Sour Pucker Lip Candies
Cherry Hearts
Twizzler Nibs
Jelly Belly Hearts
Chocolates, of course!

How to Make a Cheese and Charcuterie Heart Box

Wash fresh fruits and set aside to dry. Drain olives and cornichons. Cut apricots into heart shapes using a mini-heart-shaped cookie cutter. Cut a heart out of the middle of the mini Brie bites with a mini heart-shaped cookie cutter, *you can use both parts of the round in the box. Cut strawberries into heart-shapes. Roll slices of prosciutto and other cut meats into rose shapes or cut into heart shapes using a heart-shaped cookie cutter.

Fill each compartment with charcuterie, cheese, accompaniments and other festive Valentine-inspired goodies. Serve and enjoy! After enjoying it, remove the plastic tray from the box and clean the tray with soap and water to save and use again next year!

Tips:

Check out the “orphan” cheese box at Whole Foods or Central Market for small portions of cheese.
Order your meats from the meat counter where you can order as many slices of each meat as you wish.
Check your pantry & fridge for nuts, dried fruits, fresh fruits, olives, crackers, etc.
Check the refrigerated snack section of your store for snack-sized containers of meat, cheese & crackers. Usually near the lunchables or grab & go prepared section of the store.
To keep the apples from browning, slice them and add them to the box last and expose as little of the white portion as possible.

Watch for more!

Join me in the kitchen as I create this incredible Cheese and Charcuterie Heart Box!

Bonus Valentine’s Dessert Board!

Using the lid of your candy box, make a super sweet Valentine’s Dessert Board to share with those you love! Just mix plain and peanut M&M candies in a small heart-shaped bowl. Place the bowl in the center of the chocolate box lid and arrange Valentine inspired treats around the bowl, filling the lid completely. Here are some of my favorite ingredient options:

Little Debbie Be My Valentine Snack Cakes
Red Velvet Chips Ahoy!
Strawberry flavored yogurt covered pretzels
Gummy X’s and O’s (sold at Trader Joe’s and Target)
Strawberry Creme Wafer Cookies
Dark Chocolate Lava Cake Hershey’s Kisses
M&M’s Valentine’s Cupid’s Mix Chocolate Candies
M&M’s Valentine’s Peanut Chocolates
Trader Joe’s Dark Chocolate Mini Heart Cookies (these work, too!)
Lady Gaga Oreos
Cupid corn
Heart sugar cookies (found in the bakery section of most grocery stores – I get mine at Target)

More Ways to Say I Love You, Let’s Eat!”

This February 14th, shower the ones you love with festive eats and treats from Our Favorite Lovey-Dovey Valentine’s Day Boards. From the sweet to the salty, and everything in between, these snack boards are the perfect way to say, “I love you, now let’s eat!”

If you make this Cheese and Charcuterie Heart Box, be sure to snap a picture and share it with me or tag me on Instagram @thebakermama so I can see. I love seeing how inspired and creative y’all get with the recipes I share. Enjoy!

The BakerMama’s VALENTINE’S DAY GATHERING GUIDE

Hosting a Valentine’s party? Make it extra easy and enjoyable with The BakerMama’s Valentine’s Day Gathering Guide. I’ve got sweet decor, festive treats and fun activities that make the holiday extra special. There’s even a romantic gift guide to help you spread the love.

Valentine's Day Gathering Guide by The BakerMama

xoxo,