Special Occasion Cheese Board

Name: Special Occasion Cheese Board
Yield: 8
Ingredients: 8 to 12 ounces (1½ bars) Cabot Aged Cheddar such as 10-Year Cheddar, 3-Year Cheddar, Clothbound, Alpine Cheddar or your favorite Cabot flavor.; 6 ounces herbed or spiced Chevre cheese; 6 ounces soft rind cheese such as Brie, Camembert or Bijou; 3 - 4 types of fresh and dried fruit such as grapes, strawberries, clementine, figs, or apricots; 2 - 3 types of crackers of various shapes and sizes, such as whole wheat “biscuits”, seeded water crackers, or herbed flatbread crackers (select gluten-free crackers if needed); ½ cup of one or two types of nuts such as Marcona almonds, walnuts or pistachios.; 1 bar of high quality chocolate such as Tony’s or Ghirardelli, broken into bite-sized pieces.; Cornichon pickles, enough for a small ramekin; Olives, enough for a small ramekin

Servings

8 - 12

Looking for easy, yet elegant cheese board ideas for an upcoming special event? Whether you need to create a fancy cheese board for a celebration you’re hosting or you were tasked with the job of bringing a cheese platter to a party, we’ve got you covered with ingredients that come together to make a visually enticing and palate pleasing special occasion cheese board. Feel free to design your platter with the ingredients listed below or swap out some for your personal favorites. No matter what, the end result is sure to make a fabulous impression! Share these cheese board ideas with family and friends on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, and Twitter.

To get started creating a successful cheese board for a special celebration, you’ll need a foundation of three to five different cheeses, ranging from mild to bold. We recommend using Cabot longest aged cheddars such as 10-Year Cheddar, 5-year Cheddar, 3-Year Cheddar, Alpine or Jasper Hill Cabot Clothbound. Add a soft cheese like brie or chevre.

For larger groups, it’s nice to pre-cut the cheeses or use a variety of Cabot’s ready-to-serve Cracker Cuts for added convenience. Cut each type of cheese into a different shape such as slices, cubes or crumbles. Leave a larger chunk of cheese with a cheese knife.

Bring the cheeses to room temperature and place them on your cheese board or platter. Don’t be afraid to pile the cheese high! Next, surround the cheese with piles of contrasting flavors and textures using fresh or dried fruit and crackers. When everything is nestled together, it creates a warm, inviting and bountiful look.

For a true special occasion cheese board be sure to add signs for the types of cheese.

For more fantastic cheese board ideas, check out our Cabot Cheddar Legacy Cheese Board. Cabot is a cooperative of farm families and has been producing award-winning dairy products for many years. We’d love to hear your feedback on this cheese board recipe so please rate it after you’ve made it!

Ingredients

8 to 12 ounces (1½ bars) Cabot Aged Cheddar such as 10-Year Cheddar, 3-Year Cheddar, Clothbound, Alpine Cheddar or your favorite Cabot flavor.
6 ounces herbed or spiced Chevre cheese
6 ounces soft rind cheese such as Brie, Camembert or Bijou
3 - 4 types of fresh and dried fruit such as grapes, strawberries, clementine, figs, or apricots
2 - 3 types of crackers of various shapes and sizes, such as whole wheat “biscuits”, seeded water crackers, or herbed flatbread crackers (select gluten-free crackers if needed)
½ cup of one or two types of nuts such as Marcona almonds, walnuts or pistachios.
1 bar of high quality chocolate such as Tony’s or Ghirardelli, broken into bite-sized pieces.
Cornichon pickles, enough for a small ramekin
Olives, enough for a small ramekin

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Directions

SELECT a board, platter or plate large enough to accommodate ingredients.
BRING cheeses to room temperature for about 30 minutes. Cut each cheese a different shape such as rectangle slices, triangles, cubes and crumbles to add variety to your board.
ARRANGE three to five different cheeses on the cheese board, leaving spaces for the other board items. Don’t be afraid to pile the cheese high!
SURROUND the cheeses with groups of contrasting flavors and textures using the fruit, nuts and crackers. Nestle cheese board selections fairly closely together for a bountiful look. A piece of whole fruit if you have room.
ADD the chocolate pieces in two or three small piles to compliment the savory cheese flavors.
ADD the two ramekins of pickles and olives to the board.

Recipe Tips

Cheese boards are a fun and delicious option to celebrate a special occasion or holiday - but Cabot believes that every day is a good day for a cheese board! Check out our selection for inspiration and find the perfect wine to pair with your board.

For gifting a cheese board to celebrate a birthday or event our Classic Vermont Charcuterie Gift Box is just what you need.