Crescent Moon Stars Cheese Board (Printable Version)

A visually striking cheese board with dark crackers, varied cheeses, fresh fruit, nuts, and star-shaped gouda accents.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz aged cheddar
02 - 3.5 oz creamy blue cheese
03 - 4.2 oz brie or camembert
04 - 2.8 oz gouda (for cutting stars)

→ Crackers & Bread

05 - 3.5 oz charcoal or black sesame crackers
06 - 3.5 oz pumpernickel bread, sliced
07 - 1.75 oz seeded flatbread

→ Fruit & Nuts

08 - 1 bunch black grapes
09 - Small handful dried figs, halved
10 - Small handful Marcona almonds

→ Garnish

11 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
12 - Honey or fig preserves (optional)

# Step-by-Step Guide:

01 - Using a small star-shaped cutter, cut 8 to 12 stars from the gouda cheese and set aside.
02 - Form a crescent shape on one side of a large serving board or platter using black crackers and pumpernickel slices.
03 - Position chunks or slices of aged cheddar, blue cheese, and brie along the inner edge of the crescent, alternating colors and textures.
04 - Distribute the gouda stars on the opposite side of the board, creating an effect of floating away from the crescent.
05 - Fill remaining spaces with black grapes, dried figs, and Marcona almonds to enhance color and flavor.
06 - Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs and offer honey or fig preserves on the side as optional accompaniments.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but comes together in just 20 minutes—no cooking required, which means less stress and more time to enjoy your guests.
  • The contrast between dark and light elements creates natural drama on your board, making even a simple cheese selection feel intentional and sophisticated.
  • Everyone eats with their eyes first, and this layout makes people lean in closer, turning appetizer hour into genuine conversation and connection.
02 -
  • Remove your cheeses from the refrigerator 30 minutes before serving—they'll have so much more flavor and a better texture when they're closer to room temperature, and your guests will taste the difference immediately.
  • The star cutter must be truly sharp, and a quick dip in warm water between cuts prevents cheese from sticking and gives you clean, beautiful shapes every time.
  • Black or dark crackers can overwhelm softer cheeses if you let them dominate—balance is everything, so distribute them as a frame rather than filling the entire board.
03 -
  • A warm knife, wiped clean between cuts, creates the most beautiful cheese slices and prevents edges from crumbling—keep a damp cloth nearby and warm your knife every few cuts.
  • Save cracker crumbs in a small bowl and offer them alongside soft cheeses; people love dragging crumbles through brie as an alternative to whole crackers.
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