Festive Cheese Board Border (Printer View)

A holiday border made of pine tree-shaped cheese slices and green grapes for a vibrant platter.

# Components:

→ Cheese

01 - 8.8 oz semi-firm cheese (Gouda, Edam, or Emmental), well chilled

→ Fruit

02 - 5.3 oz small green seedless grapes, washed and thoroughly dried

# Method:

01 - Cut the cheese into thin, triangular slices approximately 2 to 2.4 inches long and 0.4 inches wide at the base to mimic stylized pine tree shapes.
02 - Place the cheese triangles along all four edges of the serving platter with the points facing outward to resemble pine trees.
03 - Nestle the small green grapes between and around the cheese triangles to fill gaps and enhance the pine tree effect.
04 - Continue arranging cheese and grapes until the entire border of the board is festive and visually appealing.
05 - Fill the center of the board with your choice of cheeses, charcuterie, crackers, or other accompaniments as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes just 15 minutes to create something that looks incredibly impressive and intentional
  • Everyone at the table will comment on how clever and beautiful it is, making you look like a presentation genius
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so it works for almost any dietary preference
  • The combination of cool, creamy cheese with crisp grapes creates a satisfying textural contrast that keeps people reaching back
02 -
  • The cheese must be cold when you slice it—this is non-negotiable if you want clean triangles. Take it out of the fridge only moments before you begin cutting.
  • Dried grapes matter more than you'd think. Even a little moisture will cause them to slide around and disrupt your careful arrangement. Pat them dry with paper towels and let them air-dry in the fridge for at least an hour before building the board.
  • If your first few triangles don't look perfect, don't panic. Once they're surrounded by grapes and part of the whole composition, those slight imperfections become invisible.
03 -
  • A serrated knife sometimes works better than a chef's knife for cheese—it grips better and creates cleaner edges without crushing the delicate triangles
  • If you want extra color drama, toss in a few pomegranate arils or dried cranberries among the grapes, or alternate red and green varieties for a more traditional Christmas palette
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs tucked between the cheese triangles add authenticity to the pine-tree effect and bring a whisper of evergreen to your board without overpowering the cheese
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