Whimsical nuts seeds cheese (Printable)

An artful appetizer maze of nuts and seeds surrounding a decadent cheese centerpiece.

# What You'll Need:

→ Nuts

01 - 1.4 oz raw almonds
02 - 1.4 oz roasted cashews
03 - 1.4 oz shelled pistachios
04 - 1.4 oz pecan halves
05 - 1.4 oz hazelnuts

→ Seeds

06 - 1 oz pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
07 - 1 oz sunflower seeds
08 - 0.7 oz black sesame seeds
09 - 0.7 oz white sesame seeds
10 - 0.7 oz flaxseeds

→ The Prize Cheese

11 - 6.3 oz wheel of soft-ripened cheese (Brie, Camembert, or vegan alternative)

→ Optional Accents

12 - 2 tbsp dried cranberries or cherries
13 - 2 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary)
14 - 1 tbsp honey or agave syrup

# How To Make It:

01 - On a large serving platter or board, optionally use a pencil to lightly sketch a winding labyrinth path leading to the center.
02 - Carefully place single-file lines of assorted nuts and seeds along the sketched lines, alternating types to create color and texture contrasts.
03 - Continue arranging nuts and seeds to form a spiral or winding path that leads toward the center of the platter.
04 - Place the soft-ripened cheese wheel at the center as the focal point of the composition.
05 - Top the cheese with fresh herbs and drizzle with honey or agave syrup, if desired.
06 - Fill any remaining spaces on the platter with dried cranberries or cherries to enhance color and flavor.
07 - Provide small forks or cocktail picks and invite guests to navigate the labyrinth to reach the cheese.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the kind of appetizer that makes guests forget they're hungry while they're eating it, because the presentation matters as much as the taste.
  • Once you arrange it, you're done—no last-minute plating stress while everyone's arriving.
  • Works beautifully whether you're hosting eight people or bringing it to a potluck; it adapts to any crowd size.
02 -
  • Arrange no more than an hour before serving; nuts and seeds start to look slightly tired and seeds can absorb moisture if they sit too long.
  • If your cheese is cold from the fridge, bring it to room temperature for at least thirty minutes before plating—cold cheese tastes muted and won't showcase its creamy richness.
  • The pencil sketch is optional but helps when you're still finding your design confidence; once you've made this twice, you won't need it.
03 -
  • Buy your cheese from the same counter where they'll cut it for you; they can verify ripeness and suggest varieties based on what you're serving.
  • Toasted nuts always photograph better and taste bolder, so consider lightly toasting almonds or hazelnuts yourself if you have time.
  • The contrast between matte seeds and shiny nuts matters more than perfect symmetry—let that guide your instincts rather than worrying about precision.
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