Twelve Days Cheese Board (Print Version)

A festive board with 12 distinct cheeses and pairings, perfect for holiday gatherings and entertaining guests.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 1.75 oz Brie
02 - 1.75 oz Aged Cheddar
03 - 1.75 oz Manchego
04 - 1.75 oz Roquefort or Blue Cheese
05 - 1.75 oz Goat Cheese
06 - 1.75 oz Gruyère
07 - 1.75 oz Camembert
08 - 1.75 oz Gouda
09 - 1.75 oz Comté
10 - 1.75 oz Pecorino
11 - 1.75 oz Havarti
12 - 1.75 oz Smoked Cheese, such as Smoked Provolone

→ Pairings & Accompaniments

13 - 12 slices artisanal bread or assorted crackers
14 - 2 tablespoons honey
15 - 2 tablespoons fig jam
16 - 2 tablespoons whole grain mustard
17 - 24 seedless grapes
18 - 12 dried apricots
19 - 12 walnut halves
20 - 12 toasted almonds
21 - 12 thin apple slices
22 - 12 fresh pear slices
23 - 12 pieces dark chocolate
24 - 12 cornichons
25 - Fresh herbs, such as thyme and rosemary, for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Arrange a large serving board or platter and visually divide it into 12 distinct sections using small bowls, ramekins, or decorative garnish lines.
02 - Place one cheese variety in each section, cutting into bite-sized pieces when suitable for easy serving and aesthetic appeal.
03 - In each section, pair the cheese with its unique accompaniment: Brie with honey and apple slice; Aged Cheddar with fig jam and walnut; Manchego with quince paste and almond; Roquefort with pear slice and walnut; Goat Cheese with thyme and grape; Gruyère with mustard and cornichon; Camembert with apple and almond; Gouda with dried apricot and dark chocolate; Comté with grape and walnut; Pecorino with pear and honey; Havarti with fig jam and almond; Smoked Cheese with cornichon and dark chocolate.
04 - Surround the board with artisanal bread slices or assorted crackers, ensuring sufficient portions for each section.
05 - Decorate with fresh herbs for a festive presentation and serve at room temperature to enhance flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the conversation starter every holiday gathering needs—twelve distinct flavor experiences that let everyone find their favorite cheese personality
  • Your guests will feel like they're on a culinary journey around the world without you having to cook a single hot dish
  • Setup takes just 35 minutes, but it looks like you spent all day creating something magical
02 -
  • The temperature of cheese matters more than you'd think—a block of Brie straight from the cold fridge will taste harsh and waxy, but let it warm slightly and it blooms into buttery silk
  • Always pair cheeses with their opposites: rich with acidic, bold with sweet, creamy with crisp. This isn't tradition; it's flavor physics, and once you understand it, every pairing becomes intuitive
03 -
  • Arrange your board the morning of your event on parchment paper, then slide the whole thing onto your serving board right before guests arrive—this prevents your beautiful work from getting jostled and keeps everything looking intentional
  • Always include a small knife in each section or nearby so guests can cut cheese themselves rather than using fingers—it maintains elegance and prevents cross-contamination of flavors
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