Alpine Village Cheese Houses (Print view)

Miniature cheese houses with almond roofs on crackers create a festive and whimsical appetizer landscape.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Cheese Houses

01 - 7 oz firm cheese (cheddar, gouda, or swiss), cut into sixteen 3/4-inch cubes
02 - 32 sliced almonds for roofs and garnish

→ Snowy Landscape

03 - 16 pale or white crackers (water crackers or rice crackers)
04 - 2 tbsp softened cream cheese for snow

→ Decoration (optional)

05 - Small bunch fresh chives, cut into 1/2-inch pieces for trees or bushes
06 - Small red bell pepper, diced for doors or windows
07 - Poppy seeds or sesame seeds for added detail

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Spread a thin layer of softened cream cheese evenly on each cracker to mimic snow.
02 - Place a cheese cube onto each cream cheese–coated cracker, gently pressing to adhere.
03 - Arrange two almond slices on top of each cheese cube to form a pitched roof, slightly overlapping the slices for a seamless effect.
04 - Decorate each house using chive pieces and diced red bell pepper to represent trees, doors, or windows as desired.
05 - Sprinkle poppy or sesame seeds over the houses for additional detail if preferred.
06 - Place completed Alpine Village houses on a large serving platter for presentation.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours on it, but comes together in under twenty minutes with ingredients you probably already have.
  • Kids and adults both light up when they see these little edible houses—they're snacks that feel like play.
  • You can make it your own with different cheeses, colors, and decorations without changing a single step.
02 -
  • Softened cream cheese spreads without tearing the cracker, while cold cream cheese requires pressure that can shatter delicate crackers.
  • Almonds must overlap to look intentional—a single almond per side looks unfinished, but two overlapped ones read as a proper roof.
  • Assemble these within an hour of serving; crackers soften as cream cheese releases moisture, and the whole structure becomes soggy.
03 -
  • Arrange almonds while the cream cheese is still slightly soft so they nestle in instead of sliding around; wait a minute for it to firm up, but don't let it set hard.
  • Use a small, sharp knife to dice the bell pepper—tiny, uniform pieces look intentional and village-like, while rough chunks look like a mistake.
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