Easy Individual Charcuterie Boxes

This post is sponsored by Cupcake Vineyards. I’m sharing how I choose to bring joy to my everyday by enjoying good food and drinks while getting some fresh air and vitamin D too!

A few life lessons (of the many) my mom instilled in me are that small details can bring a lot of joy to your life and so can good food. And arguably most importantly, always have your fridge and pantry well stocked so you can assemble a charcuterie plate on a moment’s notice.

Picnicking is one of my favorite things to do around L.A. in the spring and summer. The warm sunshine and the almost always perfect weather make for the ideal picnic scenario. Just add a chilled can of refreshing Rosé or Sauvignon Blanc and it’s a moment of bliss. Seriously, it’s an “I almost thought I was on vacay” moment. Below I’m sharing some of my favorite tips for creating mini charcuterie boxes that are perfect for toting to your favorite picnic spot. Keep reading for more! 

Let’s be real, most days aren’t this Instagrammable. I’m often late to everything and wearing a dirty shirt most days, but I do feel strongly that there are little things we can do each day that bring us joy. And for me, it’s stocking my pantry with pretty supplies and treats so I can throw together these adorable and delicious charcuterie boxes on the fly. And for me, it’s taking a moment to enjoy good wine and food. Cupcake Vineyards wine in a can is the perfect compliment to any summertime picnic. The convenient cans make packing a cooler a breeze since they take up way less space than a regular glass bottle. Plus they can be enjoyed directly out of the can, no fancy wine glasses needed.

It doesn’t really feel like summertime until you’ve had Rosé, am I right? This Cupcake varietal is the essential summer picnic beverage and the perfect compliment to salty prosciutto and fresh fruit. It has subtle notes of my favorite summer fruits: strawberry, watermelon and nectarines. It just tastes so bright and refreshing!

Sauvignon Blanc has long been one of my favorite types of wine and I’m just loving the Cupcake Sauvignon Blanc for summer. It’s not overly sweet like some white varieties but rather it’s slightly zesty, which makes for the perfect hot day pick me up! It has notes of citrus and I love enjoying it with the nutty flavor of Manchego cheese and sweet fig jam.

I’m planning on stocking our fridge with both of these can varieties this summer. Chilled wine at the ready and a new adventure every weekend are how my favorite summer memories are made!

My favorite supplies to keep on hand

Disposable flat food containers (here are similar reusable ones)
Mini cupcake liners – perfect for olives and jams
Wooden food picks
Pretty cloth cocktail napkins or paper ones if you don’t want to do laundry
Food safe patterned wax paper sheets
Colorful straws (I also like keeping a box of gold paper straws too)
Washi tape – great for taping the food containers closed and cuter than clear tape

Once you’ve stocked up on delicious wine and serving goods, then it’s time to stock your pantry. Here are my go-to items that are perfect for adding to charcuterie boxes.

Pantry Staples

Most items below have a long shelf life and really make for an outstanding picnic snack!

Crackers or crisps
Dried fruit – I love candied orange slices, dried Calimyrna figs, and dried apricots
Marcona almonds – trust me, once you have these you won’t want to go back to eating regular almonds
Fig jam – or another favorite spread, such as honey
Mustard – if mustard is your jam, a good grainy one is key

Fridge Snacks

I try to keep a few of these items in the fridge at all times. Definitely don’t need everything but a few of these are sure to be crowd pleasers!

Cupcake Vineyards Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc cans
Assorted olives, pickles or caper berries
Prosciutto or salami
Soft cheese – like Brie (love these individually wrapped Brie bites) or goat
Hard cheese – like an aged cheddar or Manchego
Fresh fruit – such as berries or grapes

When you’re ready to assemble the picnic boxes, I first place a wax paper sheet inside. It not only adds a pop of color, it also keeps the food from sticking. Next start with the meat, if you’re including it, and any larger items like big crackers or strawberries. Place the mini cupcake liners and fill them with jams, honey or olives and then add the cheese and dried fruits. Lastly, fill in the empty space with smaller fresh fruit and nuts.

And the icing on the cake—place a few fresh, food safe flowers like chamomile or violets on top. You can find them at most local grocery stores. I also like to include a sprinkle or fresh micro greens too. This takes the picnic boxes from takeout to photo ready!

Once your picnic boxes and cooler are packed, head to your favorite picnic spot, grab a chilled can of Rosé and Sauvignon Blanc and pop it open! It’s time to enjoy the sunshine, your favorite people, and all those delicious treats you’ve prepared.

What Cupcake variety would you bring on your picnic? Let me know!