food Archives • Purses & Planes

The Perfect 4th of July Charcuterie Board

by Natalie | Published on Jun 20, 2020 | Last updated Aug 4, 2023 | Blog

This post is all about making a 4th of July Charcuterie Board.

With your favorite summer holiday just around the corner, a 4th of July Charcuterie Board is perfect to bring to a holiday potluck, barbecue, or picnic.

This 4th of July themed charcuterie board offers a festive blend of sweet and salty. My board is small to medium-sized, so feel free to adjust the portions to serve your guests accordingly.

Shop My 4th of July Charcuterie Board Essentials

Everything you need for your 4th of July Charcuterie Board

Charcuterie boards are great because they look like you’ve spent a lot of time on something when you’ve really just thrown it together. They are impossible to mess up!

Don’t have a charcuterie board? No worries. You can purchase the one in these photos here for around $20. If you don’t want to buy one, any flat platter will work.

If you are planning a picnic for your 4th of July celebrations, picnic sets are so fun and convenient. Here are similar baskets to mine in the photos below.

1. Crackers

Any type of crackers will do! Wheat thins, Ritz, or an assortment.

2. Cream Cheese Shortcakes

These are my favorite part of the board! You will need dessert shells, 6oz of softened cream cheese, 1/3 cup of salted butter, 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract.

Mix everything but the shells together in a large bowl. Fill the shells with a generous spoon full of frosting. Top with blueberries and raspberries.

The frosting is roughly enough for 15 shortcakes. Cut the recipe in half for less or double it for more.

Alternatively, if you are not a fan of a cream cheese mixture, I think whip cream would be tasty too!

These printable American flags are perfect to decorate the shortcakes. Or you can purchase some already made.

3. Cheese, nuts, & meat.

Pick whatever meat and cheese you’d like.

A little bowl of mixed nuts is a great salty snack to add to the board as well.

4. White Chocolate Pretzels

These white chocolate pretzels are the perfect patriotic sweet treat for your charcuterie board.

5. Fruit

You can put any kind of red and blue colored fruit on your 4th of July board. I chose strawberries and blueberries. Watermelon, raspberries, cherries, or grapes would work well too.

6. Wine or Sparkling Cider

Individual bottles of wine or sparkling cider are great to pair with your charcuterie board. I am obsessed with these mini bottles of prosecco, plus they are easy to dress up with some festive ribbon.

4th of July Charcuterie Board Printable Shopping List

Click here for a printable shopping list.

4th of july charcuterie board shopping list

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An evening at Bear Creek Winery

by Natalie | Published on Jun 7, 2020 | Last updated Jul 6, 2022 | Blog, USA travel

Updated on February 14, 2023

Bear Creek Winery is tucked away in a secret corner of the Ozarks near Branson, Missouri.

This Winery is a gem only true Missourians know about!

If you’re looking for a luxurious and charming rustic escape for the evening, look no further than Bear Creek Winery.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.

My Winery Essentials

Growing up in Springfield, I have a pretty good grasp on the best spots in the area.

Living alongside “The Birthplace of Route 66” makes the 417 a total foodie’s heaven on earth, which makes it tricky to choose where to dine with so many great options.

After hearing so much hype about Bear Creek, I just had to check it out myself.

Planning your trip to Branson? Visiting the Big Cedar grounds is a must! I’m obsessed with Cedar Creek Spa.

Or if you’re looking for family fun activities, I love the Titanic Museum and the Dixie Stampede.

Bear Creek Winery – Things to Know

Bear Creek is a Winery, Restaurant, Lodging, and Small Batch Brewery.

You can pick and choose what suits you out of their extensive offerings, opting to stay a whole weekend or just simply enjoy some pizza at their restaurant.

Be sure to check out their website here to get a detailed look at what they offer.

Bear Creek is located in Walnut Shade, Missouri which is about 20 minutes from Branson or Springfield.

The hours do vary, but here are their current hours listed for the season –

Sunday – Thursday 10-6pm *Sunday live music 2-5pm

Friday & Saturday 10-9pm *Live music 2-9pm

Food & Wine Selections

What I didn’t expect to find at Bear Creek, was some insanely delicious pizza!

I ordered the fresh and delicious “Bear Ass Pizza”. The prices are reasonable and the servings are huge.

Wine samples are offered, and you can enjoy a glass of your favorite for $6. My favorite wine is the Hillbilly Persuasion, which is a nice light crisp wine, close to a Chardonnay.

Dinner with a view

What better way to enjoy pizza and live music than sitting on a terrace? Bear Creek has both indoor and outdoor seating to suit everyone’s dining preferences.

The Ozarks are stunning. If you are looking for a rustic getaway in the woods, Branson area has many spectacular lodging options such as Bear Creek, Big Cedar Lodge, or Chateau on the Lake.