The Picket Fence Platter (Printable)

A visually striking snack of crackers encircling mixed nuts and fresh berries, ready to share.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crackers (The Fence)

01 - 20 to 24 rectangular or oval whole wheat crackers (such as Melba toasts or water crackers)

→ Garden Mix

02 - ½ cup raw almonds
03 - ½ cup walnut halves
04 - ½ cup shelled pistachios
05 - ½ cup dried cranberries
06 - ½ cup fresh blueberries
07 - ½ cup fresh raspberries
08 - ¼ cup dried apricots, chopped

→ Optional Garnishes

09 - 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup for drizzling
10 - Fresh mint leaves

# How-To Steps:

01 - Select a large, flat serving platter or wooden board suitable for presentation.
02 - Place crackers upright, side by side, forming a continuous perimeter around the platter; angle them inward slightly for stability.
03 - Gently mix almonds, walnuts, pistachios, dried cranberries, fresh blueberries, fresh raspberries, and chopped dried apricots in a medium bowl.
04 - Spoon the nut and berry mixture into the center of the cracker perimeter, arranging it loosely to create an abundant appearance.
05 - Drizzle honey or agave syrup lightly over the mixture if desired, then scatter fresh mint leaves on top for color and aroma.
06 - Present immediately, inviting guests to scoop from the center and use crackers for dipping or accompaniment.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks Instagram-worthy but takes less time than scrolling through your feed.
  • Everyone eats with their hands, which somehow makes gatherings feel less formal and more fun.
  • You can prep it in minutes using whatever nuts and berries you have on hand.
02 -
  • If your crackers are soft or stale, they'll slouch instead of standing tall—the fence effect only works with crisp ones, so store them in an airtight container and assemble the platter just before serving.
  • Raspberries are delicate and will weep if handled too much, so add them at the very end and handle them as little as possible.
03 -
  • Arrange your cracker fence about 30 minutes before guests arrive so it looks fresh and inviting when they walk in—last-minute plating always shows.
  • If you're bringing this to a gathering, transport the fence and the filling separately and assemble it on the host's table for maximum impact and to avoid any crackers getting stale during travel.
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