Frosted Pine Cheese Platter (Print Version)

A festive board with sugared rosemary, white cheddar mounds, and crunchy almond accents for winter celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz white cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded

→ Garnishes

02 - 12 fresh rosemary sprigs
03 - 2 tbsp water
04 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar, plus extra for dusting

→ Nuts

05 - 2 oz whole almonds, raw or lightly toasted

→ Crackers & Extras

06 - 12–16 assorted gluten-free crackers, optional
07 - 1 tbsp honey, optional for drizzling

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Lightly moisten rosemary sprigs with water, roll in granulated sugar until frosted, then place on parchment-lined tray and allow to dry for 10 minutes.
02 - Place white cheddar cheese in gentle mounds on a serving platter to resemble snowdrifts.
03 - Insert sugared rosemary sprigs upright among the cheese piles to mimic frosted pine trees.
04 - Nestle whole almonds in small clusters near the cheese to imitate pinecones.
05 - Surround the arrangement with gluten-free crackers and drizzle honey over as desired.
06 - Present immediately and enjoy the festive winter display.

# Top Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like winter on a platter but takes less time than wrapping a gift.
  • The sugared rosemary adds a delicate, herbaceous crunch that elevates simple cheese in unexpected ways.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and works for vegetarians, so you're never stressed about your guests' dietary needs.
02 -
  • Don't over-dampen the rosemary or the sugar will clump and slide off; a light spray is all you need, and if you mess up, just rinse and try again.
  • The sugared sprigs taste subtly sweet and herbaceous, and people often expect them to be purely decorative until they take a bite and realize they're meant to be eaten too.
03 -
  • Use a mix of smoked and regular almonds for subtle flavor variation that makes guests pause and wonder what you did differently.
  • Try swapping white cheddar for goat cheese or brie if you want a creamier, more decadent board, and the rosemary will be equally stunning alongside either one.
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