Frosted Pine Cheese Platter (Print view)

A creative cheese board with sugared rosemary, white cheddar, and almonds for a winter-themed spread.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 ounces white cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded

→ Garnishes

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

→ Nuts

05 - 2 ounces whole almonds, raw or lightly toasted

→ Crackers & Extras

06 - 12 to 16 assorted gluten-free crackers (optional)
07 - 1 tablespoon honey (optional, for drizzling)

# Step-by-Step Directions:

01 - Lightly dampen rosemary sprigs with water, roll them in granulated sugar until frosted, and allow to dry on parchment-lined tray for 10 minutes.
02 - Place white cheddar cheese in gentle mounds on serving platter to resemble snowdrifts.
03 - Insert sugared rosemary sprigs upright among cheese mounds to mimic frosted pine trees.
04 - Position whole almonds in small clusters near cheese to simulate pinecones.
05 - Optionally, surround arrangement with gluten-free crackers or drizzle with honey. Serve immediately.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes twenty minutes but looks like you spent hours in the kitchen designing something magical.
  • There's no cooking involved, so you can actually enjoy your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen.
  • It tastes as good as it looks, with the sharp bite of cheddar playing beautifully against the crisp sugared herbs.
02 -
  • Don't let the rosemary soak in water, or the sugar won't cling properly and you'll end up with sad, damp herbs instead of frosted branches.
  • The cheese needs to be chunky enough to hold the rosemary upright, so don't cube it too small or shred it too fine, or your pines will topple over like sad little trees.
03 -
  • Toast your almonds lightly in a dry skillet for about three minutes if you want their flavor to really sing and feel more intentional than raw nuts.
  • Use fresh rosemary cut that same day if you can; older sprigs become brittle and won't hold the sugar as beautifully or stand upright as reliably.
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