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Beautiful Boards Hardcover #35637
When the occasion calls for something that looks thought-out but doesn't require hours in the kitchen, Beautiful Boards by Maegan Brown (The BakerMama) is the book to reach for. It covers 50 snack board recipes organized across every moment worth gathering around — from casual anytime spreads and holiday tablescapes to breakfast boards, dessert boards and full meal builds. Each recipe includes exact quantities, step-by-step assembly directions and full-page photography so the finished board is easy to replicate, not just admire.
Best For
- Hosting a holiday party and wanting a spread that looks composed without spending the evening in the kitchen
- Gifting to someone who entertains often and would actually use a book that goes beyond the standard charcuterie formula
- Planning a weekend brunch with a grazing board — the Mimosa Board and Pancake Board sections have both covered
- Finding a crowd-pleasing dessert setup for a summer night with the S'mores Board or Build-Your-Own Sundae Board
- Six chapters organized by occasion: Boards are grouped into Anytime, Entertaining & Special Occasion, Seasonal & Holiday, Breakfast & Brunch, Meal and Dessert categories — making it straightforward to find the right board for a specific moment rather than flipping through the whole book.
- Serving size and recommended board dimensions printed per recipe: Each spread specifies how many people it serves and the exact board size to use, so you know before you shop whether your existing board will work.
- Built-in technique foundation: Opening sections cover the snack board mind-set, what equipment you'll need and how to build and serve boards — useful for someone who hasn't assembled a board before and doesn't want to guess at placement or quantities.
- Dietary-specific boards included: The book features boards designed around restrictions (a Gluten-Free Board is shown in full), not just mainstream charcuterie — practical when hosting guests with varying diets.
- A dedicated Recipes section at the back provides recipes for components like dips and sauces called for throughout the book, so you're not left sourcing substitutes.
- Authored by Maegan Brown of The BakerMama, a widely followed food blogger known for accessible, visually driven entertaining content.
- Hardcover binding holds up to repeated kitchen use and lays flat on a counter while you assemble.
Brand: Hachette Book Group
UPC: 9781631066474
Size: 8 1/2w x 10 1/2d x 3/4h (in)
Weight: 2.1 lbs
Material: Paper
Is this just a charcuterie book, or does it cover other types of boards?
A: It goes well beyond classic charcuterie. The book's 50 boards span six categories: Anytime Boards, Entertaining & Special Occasion Boards, Seasonal & Holiday Boards, Breakfast & Brunch Boards, Meal Boards and Dessert Boards. You'll find everything from a Gluten-Free Board and Mediterranean Mezze Board to a S'mores Board and Build-Your-Own Parfait Board — so it covers casual family snacking through full holiday spreads.
Who wrote this book and what's her background?
A: The book is written by Maegan Brown, known as The BakerMama, and published by Hachette Book Group. She's a food blogger recognized for visually driven, family-friendly recipes that are designed to be recreated at home without professional technique.
Can the boards be prepared in advance, or do they need to be assembled right before serving?
A: Most boards in the book can be made ahead of time, which is one of the features specifically called out. That makes them practical for hosting — you can build the board before guests arrive rather than scrambling in the kitchen while entertaining.
Does each board recipe include a full ingredient list and step-by-step instructions?
A: Yes. Each board includes a complete ingredient list with quantities, step-by-step assembly directions and a full-page photograph of the finished board. Some boards, like the Gluten-Free Board, also note serving size and recommended board dimensions so you can scale appropriately.
What are the physical dimensions and format of the book?
A: The hardcover book measures 8½" wide x 10½" tall x ¾" thick and weighs 2.1 lbs. The large format means the food photography is displayed at a size that's actually useful as a visual reference while you're building a board.
Does this make a good hostess or housewarming gift?
A: It pairs naturally with a serving board or knife set since every recipe is built around assembling food on a board. At $28 and with a large-format hardcover presentation, it works as a standalone gift or as part of a curated entertaining bundle. The breadth of occasions covered — from casual weeknight snacks to holiday and brunch spreads — means it's genuinely useful year-round rather than a one-occasion reference.
Ratings & Reviews
15 Reviews
Happy Wife and Daughters
I purchased 3 of these books for my wife, and two daughters. They are Christmas Gifts and I'm sure they will love them. They all design their own boards and this will give them a few more ideas.
Gric -
7/15/2024
Entertain in style
Love love love this book. We like to entertain and this book gives great ideas to bounce from. I bought 2 so I could give 1away.
Laura
2/7/2024
Great Book!
Ordered this book for myself. I love entertaining and this has so many great, unique ideas I can't wait to try! Beautiful photography as well.
Bonnie -
12/20/2023
Ready to start creating Boards!
Terrific addition to my cookbook collection, unique recipes for any occasion and great photographs. Gave one as a gift and had to have one for me, too.
Cathy
12/4/2023
Gorgeous Book!
I bought this as a gift but had to look through it first! Great instructions and recipes to create an amazing variety of boards in different sizes. I may have to buy another one for myself!
Terry Woods -
12/15/2025