Shooting Star Cheese Board (Printable Version)

Star-cut cheese with nuts and berries arranged for festive gatherings and elegant appetizers.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Cheese

01 - 7 oz firm cheese (cheddar, gouda, or manchego), shaped into a star

→ Nuts

02 - 1.75 oz almonds
03 - 1.75 oz pecan halves
04 - 1.75 oz walnuts

→ Berries

05 - 3.5 oz fresh blueberries
06 - 3.5 oz fresh raspberries
07 - 3.5 oz fresh blackberries
08 - 1.75 oz dried cranberries

→ Accompaniments (optional)

09 - Gluten-free crackers or sliced baguette
10 - Fresh mint leaves for garnish

# Preparation Steps:

01 - Use a star-shaped cookie cutter or a sharp knife to cut the block of cheese into a star shape. Place the star near the top of a large serving board or platter.
02 - Position the mixed nuts in a flowing, diagonal line extending from the cheese star, forming the tail of a shooting star.
03 - Intermingle fresh blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, and dried cranberries among the nuts to create a vibrant cascading effect.
04 - Fill any empty spaces with additional nuts or berries to achieve a full and abundant presentation.
05 - Place gluten-free crackers or baguette slices alongside the arrangement as desired. Garnish with fresh mint leaves for color and freshness.
06 - Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate until ready to present.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent three hours designing it, but you'll actually put it together in about twenty minutes.
  • Everyone gravitates toward it at parties because the star shape feels intentional and special, not like something you threw together last minute.
  • You can swap nuts and berries based on what you have, so it works with your budget and what's in season.
02 -
  • Cut your cheese the morning of or even the day before—it won't dry out if you keep it covered, and you'll have less to do when guests are arriving.
  • Arrange the board on a large surface with room to breathe; cramming everything into a small space makes it look cluttered instead of intentional.
  • If berries start to weep or look tired after an hour or two, don't panic—just refresh with a few fresh ones right before serving.
03 -
  • Use a toothpick to mark the star shape lightly in the cheese first if you're nervous about freehand cutting—you can always erase the marks after.
  • Odd numbers of berries and nuts create more visual interest than even rows, so don't worry about symmetry.
Go Back