Crescent Moon Stars Cheese Board (Printable Version)

A beautiful cheese presentation with crackers, assorted cheeses, fruit, and nut accents on a crescent board.

# List of Ingredients:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz aged cheddar
02 - 3.5 oz creamy blue cheese
03 - 4.2 oz brie or camembert
04 - 2.8 oz gouda (for cutting stars)

→ Crackers & Bread

05 - 3.5 oz charcoal or black sesame crackers
06 - 3.5 oz pumpernickel bread, sliced
07 - 1.8 oz seeded flatbread

→ Fruit & Nuts

08 - 1 bunch black grapes
09 - 1 small handful dried figs, halved
10 - 1 small handful Marcona almonds

→ Garnish

11 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
12 - Honey or fig preserves (optional)

# How to Make It:

01 - Using a small star-shaped cutter, cut 8 to 12 stars from the gouda cheese and set aside.
02 - Place black crackers and pumpernickel slices in a crescent shape along one side of a large serving board or platter.
03 - Arrange chunks or slices of aged cheddar, blue cheese, and brie along the inside edge of the crescent, alternating colors and textures.
04 - Distribute the gouda stars on the opposite side of the board, away from the crescent shape.
05 - Fill empty spaces with black grapes, dried figs, and Marcona almonds to add color and flavor.
06 - Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and serve with honey or fig preserves if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes only twenty minutes to assemble—perfect for impressing people without spending your whole day in the kitchen
  • The combination of sharp cheddar, creamy blue cheese, and buttery brie creates layers of flavor that make every bite interesting and sophisticated
  • You can prep everything in advance and arrange it right before guests arrive, leaving you free to enjoy the party
02 -
  • The single biggest game-changer I discovered is letting your cheeses come to room temperature before serving—cold cheese from the fridge tastes flat and loses its complexity. Pull everything out thirty minutes before guests arrive, and the flavors will sing
  • Soft cheeses like brie can get greasy and lose their shape if your board sits in a warm room for too long. I learned this the hard way at a summer dinner party—consider keeping them on the cooler side of the board or adding them just before serving if it's particularly warm
03 -
  • For the darkest, most dramatic effect, source activated charcoal crackers from a specialty store or good grocery—they create visual impact that regular dark crackers simply can't match
  • Arrange your board on a wooden platter or dark slate—the contrast makes the cheeses and garnishes pop against the background, and it photographs beautifully if someone wants to capture the moment
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