Save An elegant and visually stunning cheese platter inspired by the Star of Bethlehem, featuring artisanal cheeses, fresh fruit, and gourmet accompaniments — perfect for special occasions or festive gatherings.
This cheese platter has become my go-to for holidays because it impresses guests while being simple to assemble.
Ingredients
- Cheeses: 150 g aged Manchego, 150 g creamy Brie, 150 g blue cheese (Gorgonzola or Roquefort), 150 g goat cheese log, 100 g smoked cheddar
- Fresh Fruit: 1 small cluster red grapes, 1 small cluster green grapes, 1 ripe pear sliced, 1 ripe apple sliced, 1 small pomegranate seeds only, 6–8 dried figs halved
- Accompaniments: 80 g honey-roasted almonds, 80 g marcona almonds, 60 g honey, 60 g fig jam, 1 small baguette sliced, 120 g assorted crackers
- Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs, Edible flowers (optional for decoration)
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Arrange the cheeses in a star-shaped pattern on a large wooden board or platter starting with the goat cheese as the center point.
- Step 2:
- Fan the Manchego, Brie, blue cheese, and smoked cheddar around the center mimicking the rays of a star.
- Step 3:
- Fill spaces between cheeses with clusters of grapes, pear and apple slices, and dried figs.
- Step 4:
- Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the fruit for a festive touch.
- Step 5:
- Nestle small bowls of honey and fig jam among the cheeses.
- Step 6:
- Add almonds and arrange baguette slices and crackers around the perimeter.
- Step 7:
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers.
- Step 8:
- Serve at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Save This platter always invites compliments from family and sparks great conversation around the table.
Required Tools
Large wooden board or platter, Small serving bowls, Cheese knives, Paring knife
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (cheese), Gluten (bread crackers), Tree nuts (almonds). May contain traces of other allergens depending on cheese and cracker selection. Always check product labels.
Nutritional Information
Per serving approximately: 430 calories, 27 g total fat, 34 g carbohydrates, 15 g protein.
Save This cheese platter elevates any gathering with minimal effort and maximum style.
Recipe FAQ Section
- → What cheeses are ideal for this platter?
Aged Manchego, creamy Brie, blue cheese like Gorgonzola or Roquefort, a goat cheese log, and smoked cheddar are recommended for balanced flavors.
- → How should the cheeses be arranged?
Place the goat cheese in the center, then fan the other cheeses around it in a star pattern to mimic the Star of Bethlehem.
- → Which fruits complement the cheeses here?
Fresh red and green grapes, sliced pear and apple, dried figs, and pomegranate seeds provide sweetness and texture contrast.
- → Can this be adapted for vegan diets?
Yes, substitute plant-based cheeses and replace honey with agave syrup for a vegan-friendly variation.
- → What accompaniments enhance the platter?
Honey-roasted and marcona almonds, honey, fig jam, baguette slices, and assorted crackers bring variety and depth.
- → How to garnish for presentation?
Use fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers to add a festive and elegant touch to the board.