How To Make a Charcuterie Cone | Ain't Too Proud To Meg (2024)

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Updated 2021: This time last year, single-serve cheese plates became a great alternative to large spreads while social distancing. My solution was a handheld snack called the “Corona Cone” aka “A Charcuterie Cone.” They were perfect for virtual happy hours, Zoom hangs and small, outside gatherings. But, even now, as things are opening back up, they continue to be a great way to serve Charcuterie. Be sure to also check out my tips for making jarcuterie (you got that right… charcuterie in a jar) and my other handheld cheese board ideas, like my this charcuterie in a wine glass featuring the a tutorial on how to make the infamous salami rose!

What are Corona Cones / Charcuterie Cones?

Since everyone around the world has been sheltering-in-place, I wanted to find a way to transition beautiful large cheese boards into more appropriate single servings of cheese and charcuterie. Enter the invention of #CoronaCones These adorable hand-held cones, filled-to-the brim with delicious snacks, are my way of adapting to the times. These aren’t a completely original idea, by the way, you may have seen similar hand-helds at conferences or large buffets for years. But once the pandemic started, I knew we needed to use them to keep our cheese board creativity going. Who knew these would be perfect for a pandemic!?

How to Make a Corona Cone?

Wrap up a cute paper cone (or find an adorable glass or mug) and fill it with your favorite foods. It’s totally okay to use whatever you have in your pantry right now! I originally used a DIY paper cone (combo of parchment and computer paper rolled up and taped together) but have since found these perfect disposable wooden cones on Amazon.

Layering Your Ingredients

When you’re looking around for nibbles to put into your Corona Cone think about the following…

• Pair different flavors together (just like you would a regular cheese board). In this case, I really wanted to play up the briny olives and salty cornichons with the creamy Dill Havarti.

• Layer in items with various heights to create visual appeal. The breadsticks are long and thin which looks nice but also doesn’t obscure the smaller items.

• Similarly, use different colors and shapes. For cheeses, I used one orange (sharp cheddar) and one white (Dill Havarti). Beyond that, I cut them in different shapes (slices and cubes) to create additional visual interest.

The Original Corona Cone Breakdown

• Start with a base of a breadstick

• Add two crackers and a few cubes of dill havarti cheese

• Layer in a skewer of olives and cornichons (skewers are my go-to for adding height variation)

• Place two thin slices of your favorite cheddar and a couple of folded salami slices (what I like to call salami flowers).

• Garnish with a sprig of rosemary (don’t eat it raw, but do smell it as you go for another bite!)

• Finish with a sprinkling of salty almonds

How to Serve Your Cone?

• Remember that you have to hold it upright so that it doesn’t spill out. A cone is great for nibbling appetizers at co*cktail party setting, but might not be awesome if you’re balancing other things or want to take your time to enjoy the cone.

• I recommend placing it in a stemless wine glass, if you’re going to need your hands for something (like adjust your Zoom background image).

• If you happen to be making more than one (for your family, or maybe even a social distancing gathering) you can also get a cool cone holder for four for a few to sit next to each other at once. And here’s a round cone holder for six and a rectangle cone holder for six. And this bigger acrylic ice cream cone holder for even more cones.

Fun Cone Inspiration

These Corona Cones would be a great project to build in tandem over your video chats. Instead of eating and chatting, make your next hang out session a #CoronaCone making party. This is the original cone with charcuterie, but you can make it out of anything. Since this original one I’ve made these others:

• Easter cone using these disposable wooden cones

• An outrageous candy cone

• A veggie cup (using my favorite bee tumblers)

Even if we are physically distant, it doesn’t mean we can’t share the little wins that perk up our days. #AintTooProudToCheese

Getting Creative—Finding Alternatives in Your Kitchen

It may be harder to get your favorite ingredients these days and that’s okay. I encourage you to reach for the snacks that you love. If you don’t have any supplies listed here, you can still make yourself a beautiful treat with what you have in your kitchen. Just promise me you’ll make it the charCUTErie that I know you can.

If you’re not into the cone thing, you can always make your snack in another vessel. Since introducing these fun handhelds to my community I love seeing the creative cones others have come up with.

• Stemless wine glasses for a Charcuterie Rosé Bouquet paired with Rosé. Click on the link for my full blog post.

• Mugs

• Mini bowls

• Other Glasses(from tumblers to margarita glasses- see below IG post and scroll through the examples)

• Banana leaves (who knew?!)

• Jars (no joke, look up #JARcuterie. It’s a thing!)

How Much is a Single Serving?

I get asked this all the time when making platters, but it’s even more tricky when it’s just for one! You don’t want to create a beautiful cone only to find you’re too full to finish it. A few rules to follow:

• Between one and two ounces of both meat and cheese for each person
  • For generic salami, one ounce is approximately three slices
  • For cheese, one ounce is two small cubes (think a pair of dice!)

• I usually figure two to three bites of each item will be plenty. When you put together a few bites of four or five foods, you’ll have a pretty, well-rounded snack.

Depending on how hungry you are, if this will be part of a meal or just a snack, you can choose whatever amount you want!

An Important Charcuterie Chat

If you know Jared Freid (otherwise known as “The Board Lord,”), you know that he is the King of Charcuterie Chats. He often has lots to say about the Cheese Board-Making community… it’s not always positive, but it’s always hysterical!! My crowning achievement was getting a glowing review on the invention of #CoronaCones. Hear his hilarious thoughts below…

Share Your Cones

Nothing makes me happier than your take on my ideas. If you make a Corona Cone, JARcuterie or Single-Serve Cheese Board or a Charcuterie Rosé Bouquet inspired by this post, please tag me at @ainttoooproudtomeg and #CoronaCones so I can see, share, and learn from your boards.Some examples of Cones I’ve reposted in the past below.

And, if you liked this cone recipe idea, please rate and review.