Skyline Silhouette Cheese Platter (Printable Version)

Vertical cheese slices shaped like city landmarks paired with fruits and crackers for vibrant presentation.

# What You Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 4.2 oz sharp cheddar, block
02 - 4.2 oz Gruyère, block
03 - 4.2 oz Emmental, block
04 - 4.2 oz Havarti, block
05 - 4.2 oz Gouda, block

→ Accompaniments

06 - 1 small bunch seedless grapes, washed
07 - 1 small apple, sliced
08 - 1 small pear, sliced
09 - 12 to 16 assorted crackers (gluten-free optional)
10 - 2 tbsp honey or fig jam

# How To Make It:

01 - Using a sharp knife or small cookie cutters, cut each cheese block into vertical slices approximately 0.4 inches thick.
02 - Carve each slice into the silhouette of an iconic building, using a paring knife for precision or tracing a paper template.
03 - Place the shaped cheese slices upright on a large platter to form a city skyline effect.
04 - Nestle grape clusters and fruit slices around the base to simulate greenery and enhance visual appeal.
05 - Present the arrangement alongside crackers and a small dish of honey or fig jam for dipping.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the rare appetizer that doubles as conversation and art, so your guests will forget to eat while taking pictures.
  • Five different cheeses mean everyone finds their favorite, from sharp and bold to creamy and subtle.
02 -
  • Cheese at room temperature becomes impossible to carve cleanly—I learned this by trying to sculpt warm Havarti into recognizable shapes and ending up with abstract cheese blobs.
  • Mixing yellow and white cheeses isn't just prettier; it prevents visual monotony that can make even an elaborate platter feel flat and boring.
03 -
  • A hot knife dipped in water and wiped dry cuts through cheese cleaner than you'd expect—it's a small trick that makes architectural precision feel less impossible.
  • Layer paper towels under your platter to catch any moisture that escapes during serving, keeping the presentation sharp until the very last slice vanishes.
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