• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About Me
  • Shop
  • Privacy Policy
  • Recipe Index
Flour On My Face
  • Home
  • Crock Pot Recipes
  • Easy Freezer Meals
  • Canning Recipes
  • Alfredo Sauce
  • Instant Pot Recipes
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Shop
  • Alfredo Sauce
  • Canning
  • Crock Pot Recipes
  • Easy Freezer Meals
  • Food Dehydrator Recipes
  • Instant Pot Recipes
×
Home » Appetizer Recipes » How To Make a Cheese Platter

How To Make a Cheese Platter

Published: Dec 7, 2017 · Modified: Jun 17, 2021 by Arlene Mobley · This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Share
  • Email
Jump to Recipe

How To Make a Cheese Platter

Whenever your hosting guests during the holiday season or having friends over for a dinner party an easy way to serve your guests an appetizer is to dazzle them with a Cheese Platter.

Entertaining is so easy when you learn how to make a cheese platter.

How To Make a Cheese Platter

Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links for Flour On My Face personalized product recommendations. You can check out my Amazon Influenecer page for more products I use and love.

When to serve a Cheese Platter

The holidays are the perfect time to serve a cheese platter. More than likely you already serve some sort of cheese platter or cheese plate when you are entertaining guests.

Maybe friends stop by unexpectedly and you need an easy appetizer to serve. You pile some sliced cheese and crackers on a plate and everyone digs in.

We serve a cheese platter or cheese plate at every single birthday party or holiday event we host with family and friends. Our cheese platters usually consist of a plain old divided plastic food serving tray piled high with slices of cheddar cheese, pepperoni slices, pickles, and olives.

During the holiday season we all love to decorate when we entertain guests so everything looks pretty. Why not turn a very easy holiday appetizer plate into something special?

I think the holiday season gives us the perfect excuse to serve up a fancier cheese platter or cheese board while we celebrate the holidays with family and friends.

To take your everyday cheese platter and turn it into something special get yourself a wooden cheese board. Wooden cheese boards are available in all shapes and sizes.

If you really want to impress your guests buy a spectacular cheese board set like this Bamboo Cheese Board with Cutlery Set, Wood Charcuterie Platter and Serving Meat Board with Slide-Out Drawer with 4 Stainless Steel Knife and Server Set.

Then you'll be ready to serve a simple cheese platter or go all out when entertaining.

You'll have everything on hand no matter what type of cheese platter you plan to serve.

If you already have a cheese platter on hand but you need some cheese knives to make cutting and serving the cheese you can buy an simple set of cheese knives.

This 6-Piece Cheese Knife Set has a cheese knife, cheese fork and cheese spreader to cut and serve any type of cheese you may be serving.

What are the best cheeses for a Cheese Platter?

You decided to serve a cheese platter but your not sure what the best cheeses are for your platter? Simple cheeses are a best bet when your not sure how your guests tastes run.

Next time your out shopping take a look through the imported cheese case. There are many varieties of cheddar cheese available. You could make a cheddar cheese only cheese platter and still serve a variety of cheddar cheeses.

Soft or hard cheeses on your cheese platter? It is a good idea to offer a soft cheese spread along with the hard or semi hard cheeses. A simple soft cheese spread is cream cheese. Softened cream cheese can be dressed up with a hot pepper jelly.

If you are into canning you could make one of my homemade pepper jellies and pour it over a block of softened cream cheese and serve it on your cheese platter.

I used my Habanero Apricot Jelly in this photo. It is my new favorite pepper jelly!

Pepper Jelly and softened cream cheese go well on a cheese platter.

Cheese Platter Ideas for Entertaining

A simple Cheese and Cracker platter will serve most purposes. Pick a few of your favorite hard cheeses, one or two types of crackers and almost everyone will dig in heartily.

If you want to get a little fancier serve a Fruit and Cheese Platter. You can go even farther and pick a theme for your fruit and cheese platter.

During the fall serve crisp apple slices, fresh figs and pear slices with a few delicate types of cheese. Smoked Gouda cheese tastes wonderful with in season fall fruits.

Fruit and cheese platter ideas for the holidays

If you need a hearty party appetizer to serve a manly crowd a Cheese and Meat Platter would be perfect.

Fill your cheese board with sliced pepperoni, sliced or cubed salami and cubed sausage along with cheddar cheese, Swiss cheese and provolone cheese and this easy appetizer board will satisfy the hungriest of your guests until the main course is served.

How To Make a Cheese Platter

Wooden Cheese Platter or Cheese board to serve the cheese and crackers to your guests.

If you don't like the look of a wooden cheese board you can buy a large slate cheese board with a set of cheese knives that you can write the names of the cheeses you are serving on it with a piece of chalk.

Marble cheese boards are also very pretty and can be the focal point of your appetizer table.

Small Wooden Bowl to hold softened cream cheese and pepper jelly

Cheese Knives to cut the blocks of cheese.

Apple-wood Smoked Gouda Cheese, cut into slices.

Sharp White Cheddar Cheese, cut into slices.

Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese, cut into slices

Golden Delicious Apples, sliced. Golden Delicious apples do not brown as quickly once cut as most other apple varieties do.

Red Grapes or green grapes

Homemade Dijon Mustard or other spicy mustard to spread on the cheese.

Homemade Apricot Habanero Jelly or Hot Pepper Jelly to serve over a softened block of cream cheese.

Softened Cream Cheese to serve with the hot pepper jelly.

Carr's Cheesemelts Cheese Crackers for a fun twist on crackers and cheese.

Ritz Crackers or Club Crackers. I love serving buttery club crackers with sliced cheese. The slices of cheese when cut from a square block fit perfectly on a Club Cracker.

Print the How To Make a Cheese Platter guide below

Fruit and cheese platter ideas for the holidays

How To Make a Cheese Platter

Arlene Mobley - Flour On My Face
How to make a cheese platter to serve your holiday guests an easy appetizer.
5 from 2 votes
Rate this Recipe
Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Recipe Saved!
Click here to add your own private recipe notes.
Prevent your screen from going dark
Prep Time 15 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 15 minutes mins
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 368 kcal

Equipment

  • Wooden Cheese Board
  • Cheese Knives
  • Small Wooden Bowl

Ingredients  

  • 10 oz. Apple-wood Smoked Gouda Cheese (cut into slices.)
  • 8 oz. Sharp White Cheddar Cheese (cut into slices.)
  • 8 oz. Extra Sharp Cheddar Cheese (cut into slices)
  • 2 large Golden Delicious Apples (sliced. Golden Delicious apples do not brown as quickly once cut as most other apple varieties do.)
  • 2 large bunches of red or green grapes
  • ½ cup Homemade Dijon Mustard or other spicy mustard to spread on the cheese.
  • ½ cup Homemade Apricot Habanero Jelly or Hot Pepper Jelly to serve over a softened block of cream cheese.
  • 8 oz. Softened Cream Cheese to serve with the hot pepper jelly.
  • 1 box Carr's Cheese melts Cheese Crackers for a fun twist on crackers and cheese.
  • 1 box Ritz Crackers or Club Crackers
Follow Flour On My Face on Pinterest

Instructions 

  • Arrange a variety of sliced cheese and crackers on a cheese board.
  • Place a bowl of softened cream cheese and hot pepper jelly on one end of the cheese board.
  • Place a bowl of homemade Dijon Mustard or other spicy mustard on the other end of the cheese board.
  • Tuck bunches of grapes in between the cheese and crackers.
  • Add some fresh apple slices.
  • Place cheese knives on the cheese board.
  • Serves 10 -12

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 368kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 17gFat: 26gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 7gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 87mgSodium: 613mgPotassium: 159mgFiber: 1gSugar: 12gVitamin A: 794IUVitamin C: 3mgCalcium: 468mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Share a picture on Instagram and tag @flouronmyface2

Want to create the perfect cheese platter? Check out these books on creating the perfect cheese plate.

The Art of the Cheese Plate: Pairings, Recipes, Style, Attitude: This book succeeds by matching some of the world's greatest cheeses with unexpected, seasonally inspired flavors and textures and presents a composed cheese plate as a fun, modern, and accessible option for delicious entertaining.

Composing the Cheese Plate: Recipes, Pairings, and Platings for the Inventive Cheese Course: Cheese need not stand alone! Composing the Cheese Plate isn't just another cheese book -- it's a gateway into the wonderful world of pairing and plating your favorite cheeses with dozens of sweet and savory condiments.

Tasting Wine and Cheese: An Insider's Guide to Mastering the Principles of Pairing: Is there anything better than a great wine and cheese pairing? For some, it can be challenging. The good news? Creating a combination that makes your mouth sing is easier than you might think!

Mastering Cheese: Lessons for Connoisseurship from a Maître Fromager: Maître fromager Max McCalman, author of The Cheese Plate and Cheese, is steeped in the world of artisanal cheeses like no one else. In Mastering Cheese, he shares the wealth of his expertise to help cheese lovers on their path to connoisseurship.

 

 

More Appetizer Recipes

  • Closeup image of a bowl filled with cheesecake dip with, berries, crackers and pretzels surrounding the bowl.
    Cheesecake Dip Recipe
  • Buffalo Deviled Eggs garnished with blue cheese and sliced green onion served on a deviled egg plate.
    Buffalo Deviled Eggs
  • Plump Buffalo Shrimp served on an appetizer plate with a bowl of Garlic Parmesan Dressing.
    Buffalo Shrimp
  • A spoonful of Candied Jalapenos resting on the edge of a mason jar rim with crackers and cream cheese in the background.
    Candied Jalapeños
  • Tweet
  • Yummly
  • Share
  • Email

About Arlene Mobley

Arlene Mobley author of Flour On My Face-a Food & Lifestyle website helping busy families get dinner on the table by serving easy recipes every week.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Megan

    December 17, 2017 at 8:07 pm

    One of my great pleasures in life is a delicious cheese platter, and I think you've nailed the key points of creating one. Well done!

    Reply
    • Arlene Mobley

      December 18, 2017 at 1:01 am

      5 stars
      Megan

      Thanks! No holiday needed to enjoy a cheese platter!

      Reply
  2. Love from Munchkintime.com

    December 11, 2017 at 10:31 am

    This cheese platter looks perfect, pinning! I made one too, recently:https://www.munchkintime.com/3-easy-shrimp-charcuterie-cheese-platter-ideas/

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Primary Sidebar

Arlene Mobley Food & Lifestyle Blogger


Hi, I'm Arlene Mobley the cook & photographer here at Flour On My Face. I have been cooking for my family for over 35 years. I love sharing recipes to help busy families get dinner on the table. Learn more here

social social social social social

We Have Been Featured In

Flour On My Featured In Image

Canning Recipes

Carrot Cake Jam recipe via flouronmyface.com

Carrot Cake Jam Recipe

Sweet and spicy Peach and Rosemary jam spread on a biscuit.

Savory Peach Rosemary Jam Recipe

Overhead of an open canning jar filled with sliced radishes and spices.

Refrigerator Sweet Pickled Radish Recipe

Flour On My Face Canning Recipes

Homemade Jams and Jellies

More Recipes;

Summer Drink Recipes

Coconut Mojito in a glass with mint and lime wedge.

Coconut Mojito

Cherry Limeade, Party Punch Recipe

Cherry Limeade Party Punch

Peach Strawberry Smoothie recipe via flouronmyface.com

Peach Strawberry Smoothie

A serving of Hibiscus lemonade in a glass with lemon slice and mint sprig garnish.

Hibiscus Lemonade

More Recipes

Appetizers

Watermelon salsa in a dip bowl.

Watermelon Salsa

Buffalo Deviled Eggs garnished with blue cheese and sliced green onion served on a deviled egg plate.

Buffalo Deviled Eggs

a bowl of ranch veggie dip served with fresh vegetables

Ranch Veggie Dip Recipe

Overhead, closeup photo of a freshly baked Cheese Tomato Sourdough Focaccia

Cheese Tomato Sourdough Focaccia

More Recipes;

Breakfast Recipes

Kiwi Cucumber Smoothie in a tall glass.

Kiwi Cucumber Smoothie Recipe

A Green Monster Smoothie Recipe

Easy Crock Pot Sausage Breakfast Casserole recipe made with chicken sausage links via flouronmyface.com

Crock Pot Sausage Breakfast Casserole

Pile of blueberry muffin bites on a blue glass plate.

Instant Pot Blueberry Muffin Bites

Three pumpkin cranberry muffins served on a leaf shaped plate.

Pumpkin Cranberry Muffins

Homemade Peanut Butter and CHocolate Chip Breakfast Bars recipe via flouronmyface.com

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Breakfast Bars

More Recipes;

Side Dishes

Butternut Squash Sausage Casserole recipe with brown sugar bacon is the perfect fall side dish recipe or main dish casserole recipe.

Butternut Squash Sausage Casserole with Brown Sugar Bacon

Preview image of six of the 25 Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

25 Thanksgiving Side Dish Recipes

Crock Pot Baked Potato split down the middle with a pat of melting butter.

Crock Pot Baked Potatoes

Refried Black Beans Recipe via flouronmyface.com

Refried Black Beans

More Recipes;

Pasta Salads

overhead photo of a white glass serving bowl filled with a pasta salad made with tomatoes and fresh asparagus

Perfect Asparagus Tomato Pasta Salad

Pea Pasta Salad on a plate.

Creamy Pea Pasta Salad Recipe

Pasta Medley Salad Recipe

Buttermilk Ranch Medley Pasta Salad in a large gold serving bowl.

Buttermilk Ranch Pasta Salad

More Pasta Salads;

Freezer Meals

Freezer Meals Lawnmower Taco Casserole

Freezer Meals Lawnmower Taco Casserole

Salsa Chicken ingredients in a freezer bag.

Freezer Meals Crock Pot Salsa Chicken

How to Freeze Chicken Breasts

Breakfast Burritos stacked on a tray.

Breakfast Burritos (Freezer Meals)

More Freezer Meals;

Crock Pot Recipes

An overfilled canning jar filled with homemade pumpkin butter.

Crock Pot Pumpkin Butter

Crock Pot Garlic Herb Chicken recipe via flouronmyface.com

Crock Pot Garlic Herb Chicken

A white soup crock filled with Jamaican jerk chicken soup.

Crock Pot Jamaican Jerk Chicken Soup

21 crock pot freezer meals preview photo of 4 of the finished recipes

21 Crock Pot Freezer Meals

Buttermilk ranch mashed cauliflower in a blue serving bowl.

Crock Pot Buttermilk Ranch Mashed Cauliflower

Crock Pot Rosemary Chicken recipe served on a white glass platter with baby red potatoes.

Moist & Tender Crock Pot Rosemary Chicken

More Crock Pot Recipes;

Instant Pot Recipes

Instant Pot Chicken Stew served in a brown soup crock

Creamy Instant Pot Chicken Stew

Instant Pot Green Beans with bacon in a serving bowl.

Quick and Easy Instant Pot Green Beans

View of the cooked ingredients for spicy shredded pork still in the Instant Pot

Instant Pot Spicy Shredded Pork

Instant Pot Burn Notice image

Instant Pot Burn Notice

A pulled pork sandwich on a plate.

Instant Pot Pulled Pork

A bowl filled with Salt Potatoes with pats of butter.

Instant Pot Salt Potatoes

More Instant Pot Recipes

Footer

↑ back to top

About

  • Privacy Policy

Newsletter

  • Sign Up! for emails and updates

Contact

  • Contact

Flour On My Face is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

Copyright ©2023 Flour On My Face