Festive Tannenbaum Cheese Board (Printable)

A festive board border using triangular cheese slices and green grapes for holiday appeal.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 8.8 oz semi-firm cheese (such as Gouda, Edam, or Emmental), well chilled

→ Fruit

02 - 5.3 oz small green seedless grapes, washed and thoroughly dried

# How-To Steps:

01 - Slice the cheese into thin, triangular pieces, approximately 2–2.4 inches long and 0.4 inches wide at the base, to resemble stylized pine tree shapes.
02 - Arrange the cheese triangles along all four edges of your serving platter, with the points facing outward to mimic pine tree shapes.
03 - Nestle small green grapes between and around the cheese triangles, filling gaps and enhancing the tree-like effect.
04 - Continue until the entire border is complete and visually festive.
05 - Fill the center of the board with assorted cheeses, charcuterie, crackers, or other accompaniments as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but takes just fifteen minutes—no cooking required, just thoughtful arranging
  • Everyone comments on how clever and festive it is, making you look like a culinary artist without the stress
  • It's naturally vegetarian and gluten-free, so it welcomes every guest at your table
02 -
  • A warm knife is your enemy here—if your blade gets even slightly warm from contact, it'll drag the cheese instead of slicing it. Wipe it clean between cuts, or keep it cold if your kitchen is warm.
  • Dried grapes make all the difference. Wet grapes are slippery traitors that will topple your careful arrangement. I learned this the hard way, watching tiny grapes roll across my wooden board seconds before guests arrived.
03 -
  • If your cheese is stubborn, microwave it for just five seconds on low power to warm it barely perceptibly—just enough to make slicing easier without losing its firmness. It's a trick that seems small but prevents so much frustration.
  • Fresh rosemary sprigs tucked between the grapes elevate the entire illusion. They reinforce the pine tree theme and add an aromatic element that people notice without quite knowing why the board smells so festive.
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