Celtic Cross Cheese Platter (Printable Version)

Four cheeses arranged in quadrants around a creamy dip with fruits, nuts, and crackers for variety.

# What You Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz Irish cheddar, cubed
02 - 3.5 oz Brie, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz Blue cheese, crumbled
04 - 3.5 oz Manchego, sliced

→ Central Dip

05 - 5.3 oz sour cream or Greek yogurt
06 - 1 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 tsp lemon juice
08 - Salt and black pepper, to taste

→ Accompaniments

09 - 2.8 oz seedless red grapes
10 - 2.8 oz dried apricots
11 - 1.8 oz walnuts
12 - 1.8 oz honey

→ Crackers & Bread

13 - 3.5 oz rustic crackers
14 - 1 small baguette, sliced

# Directions:

01 - Combine sour cream or Greek yogurt with chopped chives, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Transfer to a small round bowl.
02 - Place the dip bowl centrally on a large, round serving platter.
03 - Visually divide the platter into four quadrants and arrange each cheese variety attractively around the dip.
04 - Fill spaces between cheese quadrants with grapes, dried apricots, and walnuts to introduce varied texture and color.
05 - Lightly drizzle honey over the blue cheese section to enhance flavor contrast.
06 - Place rustic crackers and baguette slices around the platter’s perimeter for accessibility.
07 - Serve immediately with all cheeses at room temperature to maximize taste.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that takes just 20 minutes, giving you a visual feast without the stress.
  • Four different cheeses mean everyone finds their match, from creamy to pungent.
  • The sacred geometry trick makes it feel intentional and elegant, even though you're really just organizing things into quarters.
02 -
  • Room temperature is non-negotiable for cheese; if yours came straight from the fridge, pull it out 30 minutes early and let it breathe, or the flavors stay trapped and muted.
  • The cross doesn't have to be geometrically perfect—what matters is that you've created visual sections that feel intentional, not random.
03 -
  • If you're making this ahead, keep the dip covered in the fridge and assemble the board 45 minutes before serving—this gives the cheeses time to warm while everything stays fresh.
  • Use the cross design as a guide but not a prison; if a piece of Manchego wants to lean into the apricot section, let it—boards are living, breathing things, and they're more beautiful for being slightly imperfect.
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