Winter Wonderland Platter (Print)

A frosty-themed appetizer board featuring goat cheese, blanched almonds, white crackers, and elegant winter accents.

# Ingredients:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz fresh chilled goat cheese log
02 - 3.5 oz triple-cream brie or camembert, rind trimmed
03 - 3.5 oz white cheddar, cubed or sliced

→ Nuts

04 - 3.5 oz blanched almonds
05 - 1.75 oz unsalted macadamia nuts, optional

→ Crackers

06 - 5.3 oz white water crackers
07 - 3.5 oz plain rice crackers
08 - 3.5 oz mini breadsticks or grissini, plain and pale

→ Fruits

09 - 1 cup seedless white grapes, washed and dried
10 - 1 Asian pear, peeled, cored, and thinly sliced
11 - ½ cup dried white figs, halved

→ Accents and Garnishes

12 - ½ cup white chocolate shards or curls
13 - Edible silver leaf or edible silver glitter, for garnish
14 - ¼ cup silver dragées, optional
15 - Small handful edible flowers in white or light blue (e.g., pansies, borage, cornflowers)
16 - 1-2 sprigs fresh rosemary, lightly dusted with confectioners’ sugar
17 - Blueberries, fresh or sugared, optional
18 - Small decorative bowls for nuts or spreads

# Instructions:

01 - Select a large white, silver, or marble platter at least 16 inches in diameter. Clean all utensils and serving bowls thoroughly. Chill the platter in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to keep cheeses and fruits cold.
02 - Slice the goat cheese log into ½-inch rounds and place in a crescent shape along one side of the board. Fan out the trimmed brie or camembert and white cheddar slices adjacent to the goat cheese. Wipe any smudges for a clean presentation.
03 - Arrange water crackers and rice crackers in overlapping arcs opposite the cheeses. Place breadsticks or grissini bundled diagonally in one corner to add height. Leave small gaps for easy picking and maintain an airy look.
04 - Arrange the pear slices in a single overlapping row at the center for a ‘snowdrift’ effect. Group seedless white grapes neatly in a small cluster, scattering a few for natural appearance. Position halved dried figs near the cheeses for pairing.
05 - Place blanched almonds and optional macadamia nuts in small white or silver bowls or scatter small handfuls in open spaces. Tuck white chocolate shards between cheeses and crackers. Sprinkle silver dragées sparingly ensuring they appear edible.
06 - Gently arrange edible white and light blue flowers and optional blueberries in strategic spots. Dust rosemary sprigs with confectioners’ sugar to mimic frost and nestle among cheeses and fruits. Apply edible silver leaf flakes sparingly for shimmer.
07 - Review the board for balance and color distribution, adjusting gaps as needed. Serve immediately or refrigerate covered loosely with plastic wrap for up to 30 minutes before serving to preserve freshness.

# Pro Tips:

01 -
  • It requires zero cooking, just 15 minutes of beautiful assembly work that feels more like creating art than preparing food
  • Guests are always mesmerized by the frosty, sophisticated presentation—it becomes the conversation starter of any gathering
  • You can prepare it entirely ahead of time and simply chill until the moment arrives, letting you enjoy time with your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen
02 -
  • Only use food-safe edible silver and gold products—check labels carefully. This is non-negotiable for your guests' safety and your peace of mind.
  • Moisture is your enemy on this platter. Thoroughly dry all fruits before assembly, and pat any surface smudges with paper towels. Even tiny droplets catch light in unflattering ways and can cause colors to bleed.
  • Prep your rosemary dust just before final assembly. When confectioners' sugar sits on herbs too long, it absorbs moisture and loses that pristine frosted effect.
  • Slice your pears last, just moments before assembly, to prevent browning. If you must prep ahead, toss lightly with a tiny bit of lemon juice, but do this sparingly—you want no visible wetness.
03 -
  • Use a hot, dry knife to slice cheese cleanly without dragging or crumbling. Wipe the blade between cuts with a dry cloth to maintain pristine edges throughout assembly.
  • Arrange lighter colored items around the board's perimeter and save deeper whites and creams for the center—this creates a natural visual focus point that guides the eye inward.
  • If your edible flowers begin to wilt before serving, lightly mist them with cool water and return the platter to the refrigerator for a final 10-minute chill. They'll perk right back up.
  • White chocolate curls can be made by using a vegetable peeler on a cold chocolate bar, or you can simply purchase pre-made curls. Keep these in the refrigerator until the absolute last moment before placement.
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