Winter Wonderland Platter (Printable version)

Frosty assortment of cheeses, nuts, fruits, and delicate accents for a stunning winter-themed board.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz fresh goat cheese (log or rounds)
02 - 5.3 oz Brie or Camembert, rind trimmed
03 - 3.5 oz mild white cheddar or mozzarella, cubed

→ Nuts & Fruits

04 - 3.5 oz blanched almonds
05 - 3.5 oz macadamia nuts
06 - 3.5 oz dried white mulberries or white raisins
07 - 1 small bunch green grapes

→ Crackers & Bread

08 - 7 oz white rice crackers (gluten-free)
09 - 3.5 oz plain water crackers
10 - 1 small baguette, sliced and lightly toasted

→ Accents & Garnishes

11 - 1/4 cup edible silver leaf flakes or metallic silver dragées (food-grade)
12 - 1/4 cup white chocolate curls
13 - Light blue sugared almonds or Jordan almonds
14 - Fresh rosemary sprigs, dusted with powdered sugar

→ Accompaniments

15 - 1/4 cup honey or white fig jam
16 - 1/4 cup Greek yogurt dip or whipped ricotta

# How-To Steps:

01 - Place the cheeses centrally on a large serving board, spacing them for easy selection.
02 - Fan out the rice crackers, water crackers, and toasted baguette slices around the cheeses.
03 - Fill small bowls with blanched almonds, macadamia nuts, dried mulberries, and green grapes; position them at intervals along the board.
04 - Place dollops of honey or white fig jam and Greek yogurt dip or whipped ricotta in small ramekins on the board.
05 - Sprinkle white chocolate curls and light blue sugared almonds into empty spaces for added color and visual interest.
06 - Add fresh rosemary sprigs lightly dusted with powdered sugar to evoke a frosty effect.
07 - Carefully place edible silver leaf flakes or metallic dragées as decorative highlights across the board.
08 - Present immediately, ensuring all elements are easily accessible to guests.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning with minimal effort—your guests will think you spent hours crafting this, when you've actually spent just twenty minutes
  • Everything is assembled, not cooked, so you can prep this while handling a hundred other holiday tasks
  • It's naturally vegetarian and easily adapted for gluten-free diets, so nearly everyone at your table can enjoy it
  • The interplay of creamy, crunchy, sweet, and savory flavors means there's something for every palate
02 -
  • Keep your board cool until the last possible moment—a chilled board means your cheeses will stay perfectly positioned and creamy throughout the party, not softening into a sad puddle
  • Trim the baguette slices lightly just before assembly; they'll crisp up slightly and stay paler, maintaining that pristine winter look
  • The white chocolate curls and powdered sugar dusted rosemary are not decoration—they're the soul of this platter's theme, so don't skip them or minimize them
03 -
  • Chill your serving board in the freezer for fifteen minutes before assembly—this keeps everything cool and fresh-looking for hours, and your cheeses will stay perfectly positioned
  • Make your white chocolate curls ahead and refrigerate them; they're less likely to break and stay pale and pristine on the board
  • The edible silver leaf is optional, but it transforms this from a lovely board into a stunning one—it's worth the small investment in food-grade versions
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