Hey Butter friends—

If you've been around Butter for a while, you know I have a soft spot for anything that's equal parts pretty and practical.

These little charcuterie cups check every box.

They're easy to carry around while you're chatting, there's no waiting in line at the grazing table, and everyone gets their own perfectly curated little snack. Honestly... I think they're even cuter than a traditional charcuterie board.

The best part? They're much easier to make than they look.

Today I'm showing you exactly how I build mine.

 

Grocery List

Cheese

• White cheddar, cubed
• Monterey Jack or Colby Jack, cubed
• Pepper Jack (optional if you like a little spice)

Meat

• Genoa salami (my favorite for folding)
• Pepperoni (optional)

Fruit

• Strawberries
• Blackberries
• Blueberries
• Raspberries

Sweet Touch

• White chocolate or white candy melts
• Red & blue candy melts (or colored chocolate drizzle)
• Patriotic sprinkles

Crunch

• Star-shaped crackers 
• Breadsticks (my favorite!), but pretzel rods work just as well if that's what your grocery store has.

++Star crackers sell fast every year- if your Hyvee is out these are a cute alternative.

Garnish

• Fresh rosemary sprigs
• Decorative star picks or festive skewers

Supplies

• Blue gingham paper cups (mine are out of stock but I found these!)
• Decorative deli paper (optional)

Step One: Prep Everything

The biggest secret to making these look beautiful?

Don't assemble as you prep.

Prep everything first.

Wash and completely dry your berries.

Cube your cheese.

Slice or fold your salami.

Melt your chocolate.

Lay everything out assembly-line style.

Trust me—it makes the whole process so much easier.

Butter Note 🤍: Dry fruit is happy fruit. Any extra moisture will make your cups soggy, so take an extra minute to pat everything dry.

Step Two: Make the Chocolate-Covered Strawberries

These are the star of the show.

Dip your strawberries in melted white chocolate, then drizzle with red and blue candy melts or decorate with patriotic sprinkles while the chocolate is still soft.

Set them on parchment paper until completely hardened.

You can make these the night before, which makes party day even easier.

Step Three: Fold the Salami

Instead of laying slices flat, fold them into little ribbons or rosettes.

I usually fold each slice in half, then in half again, and slide several slices onto a decorative skewer.

It instantly makes the cups look fuller and gives them beautiful height.

Step Four: Build Your Foundation

If you're using decorative deli paper, tuck it inside the cup first.

Now add your tallest ingredients.

This is usually:

• Breadsticks (or pretzel rods)

• Salami skewers

These pieces create the "back" of your arrangement and help support everything else you'll add.

Step Five: Add the Cheese

Nestle cubes of cheese throughout the cup.

Instead of grouping everything together, scatter the different cheeses throughout so every bite has a little variety.

This also keeps the cups looking balanced and full.

Step Six: Add the Color

Now comes my favorite part.

Tuck in your fresh berries and chocolate-covered strawberries.

I like to place the larger berries around the outside edge, then fill the smaller gaps with blueberries and raspberries.

Think colorful, abundant, and effortless.

Step Seven: Slide in the Crackers

Add one or two star-shaped crackers toward the front of the cup.

Not only are they adorable for the Fourth of July, but they also help fill empty spaces and make the cups feel complete.

Step Eight: Finish with the Pretty Stuff

Tuck in a small sprig of fresh rosemary for color and texture.

Add your festive star picks.

Take one last look and fluff anything that feels too tucked away.

Don't be afraid to overfill the cups—that full, layered look is what makes them feel extra special.

Butter Tips 🤍

✨ Build from the back to the front.

Tall items first.

Small items last.

✨ Mix textures.

Crunchy crackers.

Creamy cheese.

Juicy berries.

Salty salami.

Sweet chocolate-covered strawberries.

Every bite should be a little different.

✨ Think in odd numbers.

Three berries usually look prettier than four.

One breadstick often looks better than two.

Little styling tricks make a big difference.

✨ Don't overthink it.

The cups don't need to match perfectly.

Some of the prettiest ones are the slightly imperfect ones.

Can I Make These Ahead?

Absolutely!

Here's my timeline:

The day before

• Make the chocolate-covered strawberries.
• Wash and dry all berries.
• Cube the cheese.
• Fold the salami.
• Gather all of your supplies.

A few hours before serving

• Assemble the cups.
• Refrigerate until party time.

They'll stay fresh for several hours, making them perfect for backyard barbecues, pool parties, picnics, and fireworks.

These little cups are one of those recipes that look like you spent all afternoon making them... when in reality they're surprisingly simple.

And honestly, that's kind of my favorite kind of entertaining.

Pretty.

Easy.

Stress-free.

Exactly how summer should feel.

Xo,

Olivia 🤍
Butter Catering

P.S. If you make these for your Fourth of July celebration, tag @ButterCatering! Seeing your versions is one of my favorite parts of sharing recipes!!