Crescent Moon Stars Cheese (Printable)

Elegant cheese board featuring a crescent of dark crackers, assorted cheeses, cheese stars, and fresh fruit accents.

# What You Need:

→ 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 - Small handful dried figs, halved
10 - 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 - Arrange black crackers and pumpernickel slices in a crescent shape along one side of a large serving board or platter.
03 - Place chunks or slices of aged cheddar, blue cheese, and brie along the inside of the crescent, alternating colors and textures.
04 - Scatter the gouda stars on the opposite side of the board, creating a floating effect away from the crescent.
05 - Fill the remaining spaces with black grapes, dried figs, and Marcona almonds to enhance color and flavor.
06 - Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and serve with honey or fig preserves if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that looks like you spent hours when it actually takes just 20 minutes—no cooking required, pure assembly artistry
  • The visual drama makes people feel special before they even taste how perfectly the sharp cheddar plays against creamy brie and tangy blue cheese
  • It works for any occasion, from intimate gatherings to larger entertaining, and adapts beautifully to whatever cheeses you have on hand
02 -
  • Temperature matters more than you'd think—bring your cheeses out about 15 minutes before serving so they're just slightly softened and flavor can shine. Cold cheese tastes muted and chalky
  • The star cutter needs to be sharp and clean; a dull or sticky cutter will tear the cheese instead of cutting cleanly, disrupting that satisfying crunch when people bite into it
03 -
  • Invest in a quality star cutter—a cheap one will frustrate you and tear your cheese, while a sharp one makes the whole experience feel effortless and professional
  • Arrange everything on a wooden board or slate platter, as these materials complement the cheeses and create the most photogenic presentation
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