Crescent Moon Stars Cheese Board (Printable)

Visually striking cheese board with crescent-shaped crackers, assorted cheeses, stars, fruits, and nuts.

# 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 - 1.8 oz seeded flatbread

→ Fruit & Nuts

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

→ Garnish

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

# How To Make It:

01 - Use a small star-shaped cutter to cut 8 to 12 stars from the gouda cheese. Reserve.
02 - Place charcoal or black sesame crackers and pumpernickel slices in a crescent shape along one side of a large serving board or platter.
03 - Position chunks or slices of aged cheddar, blue cheese, and brie inside the crescent, alternating colors and textures for visual contrast.
04 - Distribute the gouda stars on the opposite side of the board, creating a floating effect away from the crescent arrangement.
05 - Fill remaining spaces with black grapes, dried figs, and Marcona almonds to add color and variety.
06 - Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs and serve alongside honey or fig preserves if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning without requiring culinary school—people will assume you spent hours when it took just twenty minutes.
  • The dark crescent and floating cheese stars create a conversation piece that guests will photograph and remember.
  • You can prep most of it ahead and simply arrange on the board right before serving, making entertaining feel effortless.
  • The mix of sharp cheddar, creamy blue cheese, and buttery brie means there's something for every palate and mood.
02 -
  • Cut your cheese stars at the last possible moment before serving. If they sit uncovered, they'll dry out slightly and lose that beautiful sheen. I once made them an hour early and was disappointed by how dull they looked.
  • Keep your board cool until the exact moment you serve it. A cold board keeps cheeses at their best texture and presentation. I've learned to assemble it in my cool kitchen right before guests arrive rather than setting it out too early.
  • The quality of your cheese makes an enormous difference. This isn't the moment to economize. Visit a good cheese counter and taste before buying if you can—the difference between average brie and excellent brie is transformative.
03 -
  • Use a hot knife dipped in water to cut the brie and blue cheese cleanly—the heat makes the blade glide through instead of tearing the cheese, creating cleaner, more beautiful pieces.
  • Arrange the board on a slightly textured surface or dark platter for maximum visual impact—the contrast between the board, the cheeses, and the dark crackers is what creates the magic.
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