Twelve Days Cheese Board (Printable)

A festive board featuring 12 unique cheese sections with complementary pairings for easy entertaining.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheeses

01 - 1.76 oz Brie
02 - 1.76 oz Aged Cheddar
03 - 1.76 oz Manchego
04 - 1.76 oz Roquefort or Blue Cheese
05 - 1.76 oz Goat Cheese
06 - 1.76 oz Gruyère
07 - 1.76 oz Camembert
08 - 1.76 oz Gouda
09 - 1.76 oz Comté
10 - 1.76 oz Pecorino
11 - 1.76 oz Havarti
12 - 1.76 oz Smoked Cheese (e.g., Smoked Provolone)

→ Pairings & Accompaniments

13 - 12 slices artisanal bread or assorted crackers
14 - 2 tbsp honey
15 - 2 tbsp fig jam
16 - 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
17 - 24 seedless grapes
18 - 12 dried apricots
19 - 12 walnut halves
20 - 12 toasted almonds
21 - 12 thin apple slices
22 - 12 fresh pear slices
23 - 12 pieces dark chocolate
24 - 12 cornichons
25 - Fresh thyme and rosemary for garnish

# Steps:

01 - Arrange a large platter or board and visually divide it into 12 distinct sections using small bowls, ramekins, or garnish lines.
02 - Place one type of cheese in each section, cutting into bite-sized pieces where appropriate for easy serving.
03 - Pair each cheese variety with its unique accompaniment as follows: Brie with honey and apple slice; Aged Cheddar with fig jam and walnut; Manchego with quince paste and almond; Roquefort with pear slice and walnut; Goat Cheese with thyme and grape; Gruyère with mustard and cornichon; Camembert with apple and almond; Gouda with dried apricot and chocolate; Comté with grape and walnut; Pecorino with pear and honey; Havarti with fig jam and almond; Smoked Cheese with cornichon and dark chocolate.
04 - Place artisanal bread slices or crackers around the board, ensuring sufficient quantity for all sections.
05 - Decorate the board with fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs to enhance presentation and aroma.
06 - Present the cheese board at room temperature to maximize flavor profile.

# Tips from the Pros:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that keeps guests engaged and wandering the board throughout your party, discovering new flavor combinations with every visit.
  • Each person gets to taste an entire world of cheeses without the commitment of buying full wheels, making it feel luxurious and adventurous.
  • The visual presentation does so much of the heavy lifting—your platter looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when really, you've assembled something spectacular in under forty minutes.
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than people realize—cheeses served too cold are muted and dense, but room temperature allows their true complexity to sing. Take your board out of the fridge thirty minutes before serving if possible.
  • The pairings aren't gospel; they're suggestions. The magic happens when someone finds an unexpected combination that works for them. Leave room for discovery and personal preference.
  • One lesson I learned the hard way: don't slice your cheeses more than an hour before serving. Exposed surfaces dry out and oxidize, and the flavors flatten. Prep everything else in advance, but slice cheeses close to serving time.
03 -
  • If you're buying cheese from a counter rather than pre-packaged, ask the cheesemonger for their pairing suggestions. They'll often recommend combinations you wouldn't have considered, and they might offer a taste that helps you make the final decision.
  • The day before your party, make a simple diagram of your board on paper. Sketch where each cheese goes and what accompaniments pair with it. This five-minute investment saves you from the moment-before-party panic and ensures your arrangement is balanced and intentional.
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