Twelve Days Cheese Board (Printable Version)

A festive board divided into twelve sections with unique cheeses and complementary pairings, perfect for celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 (e.g., Smoked Provolone)

→ Pairings & Accompaniments

13 - 12 slices artisanal bread or assorted crackers
14 - 2 tbsp honey
15 - 2 tbsp fig jam
16 - 2 tbsp 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 (thyme, 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 garnish lines.
02 - Position one type of cheese in each section, cutting into bite-sized pieces where appropriate for easy serving.
03 - Complement each cheese with its unique accompaniments as follows: 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 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 - Distribute artisanal bread slices or crackers around the board to ensure sufficient portions for each section.
05 - Decorate the board with fresh sprigs of thyme and rosemary to enhance presentation and aroma.
06 - Present the board at room temperature to maximize flavor and texture.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • It's the ultimate conversation starter—each section sparks genuine delight and discovery as guests find their new favorite cheese pairing
  • Completely stress-free entertaining; everything can be prepped ahead and simply arranged when guests arrive
  • Serves twelve people with one elegant centerpiece, perfect for holiday gatherings without feeling like you spent all day cooking
02 -
  • Temperature is everything; I learned this the hard way by pulling cheese straight from the fridge and watching people struggle to taste the nuance I'd worked so carefully to create. Room temperature transforms everything.
  • Prepare apple and pear slices just before serving, or toss them lightly with lemon juice so they don't brown and lose their freshness—this small detail makes the difference between elegant and sad.
03 -
  • Prep everything except the apple and pear slices up to 4 hours ahead, then cover with plastic wrap in a cool place; add the fresh fruit slices just 20 minutes before serving so they stay crisp and don't brown
  • If you're worried about any cheese looking lonely or cut edges oxidizing, keep them covered until the last moment, then do a final artistic arrangement right when guests are about to arrive
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