Skyline Silhouette Cheese Platter (Print)

A striking cheese display shaped into building silhouettes with fruit and crackers for elegant gatherings.

# Components:

→ 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 - 12–16 assorted crackers (gluten-free optional)
10 - 2 tbsp honey or fig jam

# Directions:

01 - Chill cheese blocks for 15–20 minutes for firmer slicing. Using a sharp chef's knife or small cookie cutters, cut each block into vertical slices approximately 0.4 inches thick.
02 - Using a paring knife or a paper template, carve each cheese slice into the silhouette of iconic buildings such as the Eiffel Tower, Empire State Building, or Big Ben, ensuring detailed shapes are well-defined.
03 - Place the cheese silhouettes upright on a large serving platter to create a city skyline effect.
04 - Distribute grape clusters and slices of apple and pear around the base of the cheese skyline to simulate greenery and add visual appeal. Serve alongside assorted crackers and a ramekin of honey or fig jam.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that sits right on the table, begging people to ask how you did it.
  • You get to taste five different cheese personalities in one dramatic presentation.
  • No cooking required means you can prep everything an hour ahead and just arrange when guests arrive.
  • It photographs like something from a design magazine, but tastes like genuine, uncomplicated pleasure.
02 -
  • Cheese warms and softens quickly—if your platter sits out for more than 20 minutes before serving, the towers start to lean and lose their presence.
  • A template is your friend; free-hand cuts are beautiful, but tracing a reference photo first turns wobbly towers into landmarks.
  • The knife matters: a dull blade tears the cheese and makes edges look ragged; a really sharp one makes every slice look intentional.
03 -
  • Use a cheese slicer for your initial cuts if you have one and it's sharp enough; it removes one variable and gives you more consistent thickness to work from.
  • If a building cracks while carving, save the pieces—they still taste exactly right, and arranged with intention they look like intentional shards rather than mistakes.
  • Make this platter the day before but keep it assembled in the fridge covered with plastic wrap; unwrap it 10 minutes before guests arrive so the cheese reaches just-right texture.
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