Save to Pinterest I'll never forget the Valentine's Day I decided to stop buying complicated, fussy desserts and instead create something with my own hands. My partner had always appreciated simplicity over pretense, and that's when I realized a thoughtfully arranged board could say more than any store-bought confection. I remember standing in my kitchen, strawberries gleaming like tiny rubies, and thinking about how the most romantic gestures are often the ones where you actually take time to arrange something beautiful. That day, The Heart of Romance Board was born—not from a recipe book, but from the desire to make something that felt personal and looked absolutely stunning.
The first time I made this board was for an intimate dinner party where I was terrified of disappointing my guests. I arranged it in the shape of a heart using parchment paper as a guide, and when I set it on the table, the entire room went quiet for a moment. Then came the smiles, the comments about how thoughtful it was, and the realization that presentation is love language in the kitchen. That board became the centerpiece of our evening, and everyone kept returning to it throughout the night—picking at a piece of brie, stealing another strawberry, breaking off bits of salami. It wasn't just food; it was an invitation to linger together.
Ingredients
- Brie, 100g wedges: This is your creamy anchor—it should be soft enough to spread but not melting everywhere. Let it sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before arranging so it's at its most luxurious
- Goat cheese, 100g shaped into rounds: The tangy counterpoint that keeps things interesting. A small trick I learned: dust these rounds with cracked pepper and a whisper of thyme just before serving
- Manchego, 100g thinly sliced: This Spanish cheese adds a nutty sophistication and those beautiful translucent slices photograph wonderfully
- Prosciutto, 80g folded: Let it drape naturally—forced folds look awkward. The delicate saltiness will make people reach for cheese immediately after
- Salami, 80g rolled: Choose a good quality version; this is where you won't regret spending a bit extra. Roll it loosely for texture
- Coppa, 60g fanned: The marbling in this cured meat is visually stunning when fanned properly. It's the showstopper of your meat selection
- Strawberries, 1 cup halved: Buy them the day of serving. Red is essential for your heart shape's color story
- Raspberries, 1 cup: These are delicate, so handle gently. Their jewel-like quality is irreplaceable
- Red grapes, 1 cup halved: The sweetness here balances all the salty elements. Don't skip halving them—it makes them easier to eat and more elegant
- Pomegranate seeds, 1/2 cup: These little bursts of color are non-negotiable for the romantic aesthetic. They also add a bright tartness
- Mini sweet red peppers, 8–10 sliced: These are sweeter than regular peppers and fit the color palette perfectly
- Cherry tomatoes, 1/2 cup halved: Fresh and slightly acidic, they prevent the board from feeling too rich
- Pink beet hummus, 1/2 cup: This addition I discovered by accident when I was experimenting with vegetable dips. It's both practical and on-theme
- Red pepper jelly, 1/2 cup: The sweet and spicy combination here is addictive. Guests will use this with everything
- Candied pecans, 1/2 cup: A touch of sweetness and crunch that elevates everything around it. Make sure they're properly cooled before placing
- Dark chocolate–covered almonds, 1/2 cup: The romantic finishing touch. They shouldn't be competing, just adding a whisper of indulgence
- Heart-shaped crackers or thinly sliced baguette, 1 cup: The vehicle for your cheeses and spreads. If you can't find heart-shaped crackers, use a heart-shaped cookie cutter on thinly sliced bread for a special touch
Instructions
- Create Your Heart Canvas:
- Lay out your large platter or board. If you don't have a heart-shaped tray, take a piece of parchment paper and draw or cut out a large heart shape, then lay it on your board as a guide. This is your map—don't skip this step. It transforms a random arrangement into something intentional
- Position Your Dips Strategically:
- Place small bowls of beet hummus and red pepper jelly in the upper curves of the heart where they'll be easy to reach. These colors are part of your romantic palette, so let them show
- Anchor with Cheese:
- Arrange your three cheeses in separate areas within the heart, creating balance and variety. Think of them as the foundation—they need breathing room around them
- Layer in the Cured Meats:
- This is where it gets beautiful. Fold or roll your prosciutto, fan your coppa, and spiral your salami. Place them strategically to emphasize that heart outline. The meats should feel like they're helping define your shape
- Scatter the Jewels:
- Now come the fruits—strawberries, raspberries, grapes, and pomegranate seeds. Scatter these with intention, focusing on the red and pink tones. They should look like they tumbled there naturally but with purpose
- Fill Strategic Gaps:
- Distribute your mini peppers, cherry tomatoes, and candied pecans into the spaces that need visual interest. This is where you listen to your eye—does this area feel balanced?
- Add Romance:
- Place dark chocolate–covered almonds thoughtfully throughout, then scatter those optional heart-shaped candies if you're using them. These are the finishing touches that say, 'I made this with care'
- Frame with Crackers:
- Arrange your crackers and bread slices along the edges or in small artistic piles within the heart. They should look inviting, not cramped
- Perfect Your Abundance:
- Step back and look. All spaces should feel lush and full, with nothing looking sparse or overdone. Adjust as needed. Serve immediately and watch the magic happen
Save to Pinterest What I love most about this board is what happened after people started eating. The initial 'wow' moment when it was presented gave way to something quieter—conversations that lingered over cheese, the joy of discovering a combination that surprised you, moments where a stranger became a friend over a shared taste. That's when I understood that a board like this is really about creating a space where people slow down and connect. It's not fancy; it's just intentional.
The Art of the Heart Shape
The shape itself is more important than you might think. When people see that heart outline, something shifts—they expect something made with care. I've learned that the parchment paper trick works beautifully because it guides your eye without being rigid. The arrangement can be loose and organic, but that heart frame makes even casual placement feel deliberate. If you're worried about getting the shape exactly right, remember that handmade imperfections are part of the charm. A slightly wonky heart is more beautiful than a perfectly geometric one because it proves a human made it with their hands.
Playing with Color and Contrast
One discovery that changed my board game was understanding that color creates emotion. The reds and pinks aren't just Valentine's Day clichés—they're warm, inviting, and they tell a story about celebration. When I added the pale pink beet hummus and the deep purples of the grapes, the board suddenly had depth. The whites of the brie and goat cheese became breathing room for the eye. Now I think of board-building like watercolor painting: you need your bold colors, your neutrals, and your moments of contrast. The dark chocolate almonds against the bright strawberries? That's not accident; that's intentional beauty.
Making It Your Own
This recipe is really more of a starting point than a strict formula. The beauty of a board is that you build it based on what you love and what's available. I've made vegetarian versions by replacing the cured meats with marinated artichokes and roasted red peppers, and they're equally stunning. I've swapped manchego for aged gouda when that's what I had. I've added candied walnuts instead of pecans. The heart shape is your constant, but everything inside it can be wonderfully flexible.
- If you're serving this with wine, sparkling rosé is the obvious choice, but a light Pinot Noir brings out unexpected depths in the brie and cured meats
- Heart-shaped cookie cutters can transform ordinary cheese slices or bread into conversation pieces—guests notice when you've gone this far
- Prep everything the morning of but assemble only 30 minutes before serving so fruits stay bright and cheeses reach that perfect temperature
Save to Pinterest Every time I make this board, I'm reminded that the most romantic things in life are rarely complicated—they're just made with attention and affection. This is love, plated.
Recipe Questions & Answers
- → How do I shape the heart for the board?
Use parchment paper to outline a heart on your platter or use a heart-shaped tray for easy shaping and arrangement.
- → What cheeses work best on this board?
Brie, goat cheese, and manchego provide a nice variety of textures and flavors that complement the fruits and meats.
- → Can this board be made vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the cured meats and add roasted red peppers or marinated artichokes instead for added flavor and color.
- → What fruits enhance the board’s presentation?
Strawberries, raspberries, red grapes, and pomegranate seeds add vibrant red and pink tones that highlight the romantic theme.
- → Are there any suggested pairings for this spread?
A sparkling rosé or a light Pinot Noir pairs wonderfully, highlighting the fresh and savory elements of the board.