Pin It An elegant and visually stunning cheese platter inspired by the Star of Bethlehem, featuring artisanal cheeses, fresh fruit, and gourmet accompaniments — perfect for special occasions or festive gatherings.
This platter has become my go-to for holiday parties because it's effortless to assemble yet always impresses guests with its star shape and vibrant colors.
Ingredients
- Cheeses: 150 g aged Manchego, 150 g creamy Brie, 150 g blue cheese (Gorgonzola or Roquefort), 150 g goat cheese log, 100 g smoked cheddar
- Fresh Fruit: 1 small cluster red grapes, 1 small cluster green grapes, 1 ripe pear sliced, 1 ripe apple sliced, 1 small pomegranate seeds only, 6–8 dried figs halved
- Accompaniments: 80 g honey-roasted almonds, 80 g marcona almonds, 60 g honey, 60 g fig jam, 1 small baguette sliced, 120 g assorted crackers
- Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs, Edible flowers (optional for decoration)
Instructions
- Arrange Cheeses:
- Arrange the cheeses in a star-shaped pattern on a large wooden board or platter starting with the goat cheese as the center point.
- Fan Cheeses:
- Fan the Manchego Brie blue cheese and smoked cheddar around the center mimicking the rays of a star.
- Fill Spaces:
- Fill spaces between cheeses with clusters of grapes pear and apple slices and dried figs.
- Sprinkle Seeds:
- Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the fruit for a festive touch.
- Place Bowls:
- Nestle small bowls of honey and fig jam among the cheeses.
- Add Nuts and Bread:
- Add almonds and arrange baguette slices and crackers around the perimeter.
- Garnish:
- Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers.
- Serve:
- Serve at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Pin It My family gathers around this platter every holiday and it always sparks conversation and enjoyment.
Required Tools
Large wooden board or platter Small serving bowls Cheese knives Paring knife
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (cheese) Gluten (bread/crackers) Tree nuts (almonds) May contain traces of other allergens depending on cheese and cracker selection Always check product labels
Nutritional Information
Calories 430 Total Fat 27 g Carbohydrates 34 g Protein 15 g per serving approx
Pin It 
This cheese platter is a timeless crowd-pleaser that adds elegance to any gathering.
Recipe FAQs
- → What cheeses are ideal for this platter?
Aged Manchego, creamy Brie, blue cheese such as Gorgonzola or Roquefort, goat cheese log, and smoked cheddar are excellent choices.
- → Can I substitute the fruits included?
Yes, you can swap grapes, pears, apples, pomegranate seeds, and figs for local or seasonal fruits to suit your taste.
- → How should this platter be served?
Serve at room temperature to fully appreciate the textures and flavors of the cheeses and accompaniments.
- → What are suitable accompaniments for the cheeses?
Honey, fig jam, almonds (honey-roasted and marcona), baguette slices, and assorted crackers enhance the tasting experience.
- → Is this platter suitable for vegetarian diets?
Yes, it contains dairy and nuts, fitting vegetarian preferences but excluding vegan options unless substitutions are made.
- → Are there any allergen considerations?
This platter contains milk, gluten from bread and crackers, and tree nuts, so check ingredient labels if allergies are a concern.