Winter Wonderland Platter (Print Version)

A frosty-themed board featuring white cheeses, nuts, fruits, and delicate garnishes for elegant entertaining.

# Components:

→ 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 (for decoration)
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

# Directions:

01 - Place goat cheese, Brie or Camembert, and mild white cheddar or mozzarella centrally on a large serving board, spacing each type for easy selection.
02 - Fan out white rice crackers, water crackers, and toasted baguette slices around the cheeses to create an inviting perimeter.
03 - Distribute blanched almonds, macadamia nuts, dried mulberries, and green grapes in small bowls placed at intervals around the board.
04 - Spoon honey or white fig jam and Greek yogurt dip or whipped ricotta into small ramekins and place them on the board.
05 - Sprinkle white chocolate curls and light blue sugared almonds over open spaces for visual interest.
06 - Enhance the presentation with rosemary sprigs dusted lightly with powdered sugar, simulating a frosted appearance.
07 - Carefully place edible silver leaf flakes or metallic silver dragées as highlight points across the board.
08 - Ensure all items are easily accessible and serve the platter fresh to maintain texture and flavor.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you've created edible art, but honestly, it takes just 20 minutes and zero cooking—pure magic with minimal effort
  • Every bite is a textural adventure: creamy goat cheese, crunchy almonds, silky white chocolate, and that unexpected pop of green grapes
  • It's naturally vegetarian and easily adaptable for gluten-free and vegan guests, so you're not stressing about allergies
  • The dramatic silver and blue accents make your table look restaurant-worthy without needing a culinary degree
02 -
  • Temperature control is everything—assemble this platter no more than 30 minutes before serving. Cheeses will start to sweat and lose their pristine appearance if they sit in a warm room too long. If you need to prep early, keep components separate and assemble at the last possible moment.
  • Edible decorations matter more than you'd think: those silver dragées and powdered sugar are what transform a nice cheese board into something people talk about for weeks. Don't skip them thinking they're purely decorative—they're part of the experience.
  • The ratio of spreads to firm items changed my entire approach: too much cheese and not enough crackers leaves guests disappointed. A board that looks balanced and full at the start will look picked over and chaotic by the end, so err on the generous side with quantity.
03 -
  • The difference between a good board and an unforgettable one is often just proportion: if your ingredients are 60% cheese and crackers and 40% textural elements (nuts, fruits, chocolate, sparkles), it feels balanced and intentional rather than heavy or sparse.
  • Powdered sugar on rosemary is your secret weapon for that authentic frosted look—it sticks best to damp herbs, so very lightly mist them with water from a spray bottle before dusting. This tiny detail elevates the entire aesthetic.
  • Keep everything cold by setting your board on a bed of ice packs wrapped in a thin cloth underneath the platter—guests won't see it, but your cheeses will stay pristine throughout the party.
Return