Save I'll never forget the first time I arranged a peppermint stripe platter for my sister's winter wedding shower. Standing in her kitchen with afternoon light streaming through the windows, I started laying out perfectly white cheeses and crimson berries in alternating rows, and something magical happened—the platter transformed from a collection of ingredients into pure edible art. Every guest who walked past the table did a double-take, and suddenly I understood that some of the best dishes aren't about complicated techniques, they're about creating moments of joy through thoughtful presentation.
What I love most is watching people's faces light up when they see this platter for the first time. My friend Sarah said it was almost too pretty to eat—almost—until she tasted the combination of creamy fresh mozzarella with sweet raspberries and a thin slice of prosciutto. By the end of the party, the platter was completely picked clean, and guests were still talking about it.
Ingredients
- Fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or bocconcini), 200g: These delicate white spheres are the foundation of your white stripes—look for them packed in water at the cheese counter, and they'll have that perfect creamy texture that melts on your tongue
- White cheddar cheese, sliced, 200g: This is your workhorse white ingredient; it's firmer than mozzarella and gives you clean lines, so look for a block you can slice yourself rather than pre-packaged
- Havarti cheese, sliced, 200g: A slightly buttery cheese that adds richness and complexity to the white stripes—don't skip this one if you can find it, as it elevates the whole platter
- Fresh strawberries, sliced, 150g: The stars of your red rows; choose bright, fully ripe berries and slice them just before assembly so they stay fresh and juicy
- Raspberries, 150g: These delicate gems tumble beautifully into rows and offer a tartness that balances the creamy cheeses perfectly
- Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved, 100g: The savory anchor in your red stripes that keeps the platter from being too sweet and adds that unexpected vegetable element
- Roasted red bell peppers, sliced, 100g: Buy these from the jar to save time, and they add a silky sweetness and depth that fresh strawberries can't achieve alone
- Thinly sliced salami, 150g: The optional savory player that adds richness and intrigue; quality matters here since you're eating it raw, so invest in something you actually enjoy
- Prosciutto, 100g: Paper-thin and salty-sweet, this is your secret for making guests feel like you've created something truly special
- Water crackers, 150g: Choose a plain variety without strong flavors so they don't compete with your ingredients; they add textural breaks to the visual pattern
- Baguette slices, 100g: Lightly toasted or fresh, these bring substance and catch all those wonderful juices and flavors
- Fresh mint leaves: The final touch that ties everything to the peppermint theme and adds a whisper of fresh coolness to each bite
- Microgreens or edible flowers (optional): These are your finishing flourish if you want to go truly fancy—they add delicate color and a chef-like presentation
Instructions
- Choose Your Canvas:
- Start by selecting a large platter—rectangular feels more intentional, but circular works beautifully too. You want something with enough surface area to really showcase those stripes, so don't skimp on size.
- Create Your First White Stripe:
- Start at one edge of your platter and create your first row with white cheese—mozzarella balls look elegant arranged close together, or you can layer cheddar slices slightly overlapping like roof tiles. This first stripe sets the tone for everything that follows.
- Add Your First Red Stripe:
- Right next to that white row, create a vibrant red stripe using your sliced strawberries or raspberries. Arrange them tightly enough that they form a clear visual line, and step back to admire how the colors pop against each other.
- Begin Your Pattern:
- Now alternate back to white cheese, then another red element—maybe roasted peppers or tomatoes this time for variety. The key is maintaining that clear striping pattern; think of painting bold lines across your platter.
- Introduce Texture and Variety:
- As you work your way across, weave in your crackers and baguette slices in their own rows, breaking up the cheese and fruit with something substantial. This also gives guests options for how to build their bites.
- Add Your Savory Elements:
- If you're including meats, create a stripe of salami, or roll thin prosciutto slices into delicate roses and tuck them into red stripes where they'll look intentional and artistic rather than haphazard.
- Fine-Tune Your Design:
- Step back and look at your work. Do you have good color balance? Are some stripes thinner than others? This is the moment to adjust, to add a few more raspberries here or move a piece of cheese there until it feels right.
- Finish with Flourish:
- Scatter fresh mint leaves across the entire platter, tucking them between stripes and using them to soften any rough edges. If you have microgreens or edible flowers, this is your moment to sprinkle them like confetti.
- Chill or Serve:
- You can serve immediately while everything is at its freshest, or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. This flexibility is one of the reasons this platter is perfect for entertaining—you can prep it earlier and just uncover when guests arrive.
Save There's something almost ceremonial about serving this platter—the way people pause before reaching for it, the careful arrangements they make as they build their perfect bites, combining a slice of creamy mozzarella with a raspberry and a whisper of mint. That's when I realized this isn't just food; it's an invitation to slow down and savor the moment.
Making It Your Own
One of the most beautiful things about this platter is how infinitely customizable it is. When I made it for my vegetarian friend's birthday, I simply removed the salami and prosciutto and added extra rows of marinated tofu, white bean hummus, and fresh mozzarella—it was just as stunning and completely different. The framework is just a guide; your pantry and preferences are the real blueprint. I've also experimented with pomegranate seeds instead of raspberries, adding a jewel-like quality and a different flavor profile entirely, or swapped in red grapes for a smoother sweetness.
The Peppermint Story
What makes this platter special isn't just the visual reference to peppermint candies—though that's definitely part of the charm. It's that the combination of flavors actually evokes that candy-like pleasure: the cool mint, the sweet fruit, the rich cheese, the salty meat, all playing off each other like notes in a song. The first time someone asked me why I'd chosen peppermint for a savory platter, I realized I'd been thinking about it all wrong. It's not about literally serving peppermint; it's about capturing that feeling of festive joy and elegant simplicity that peppermint symbolizes during the holidays.
Serving Suggestions and Wine Pairing
I learned the hard way that the right beverage completely transforms how this platter tastes. Serve it with a light sparkling wine that cleanses the palate between bites, or go the non-alcoholic route with a cranberry spritz—the tartness of cranberry complements the sweetness of the fruit and the richness of the cheese in ways that will surprise you. The mint on the platter also pairs beautifully with something refreshing, so avoid anything heavy or oak-forward.
- A chilled Prosecco or Cava is your friend here; the bubbles and light acidity keep things feeling elegant and festive
- If you're making a dessert version with marshmallows and white chocolate instead of cheese, serve it with something sweeter like a lightly chilled Moscato
- For a complete no-cook party, build the platter, chill it, and let it be the centerpiece of your spread—it needs nothing else, really, but I always add some crusty bread and maybe a simple dip for good measure
Save There's nothing quite like the joy of creating something so visually beautiful that it becomes memorable for reasons beyond just how delicious it tastes. This peppermint stripe platter does exactly that.
Recipe Q&A
- → What cheeses work best for the white stripes?
Fresh mozzarella balls, white cheddar, and Havarti sliced cheese are ideal for creating creamy and distinct white layers.
- → Can the red ingredients be substituted?
Yes, alternatives like pomegranate seeds or red grapes can replace strawberries and raspberries for a twist on color and flavor.
- → How should the savory meats be prepared?
Thinly slice salami and prosciutto; salami can be rolled into small roses to add elegant detail within red stripes.
- → What types of crackers complement this platter?
Water crackers and thin baguette slices offer a mild crunch that pairs well with cheeses and savory elements without overpowering flavors.
- → How can the platter be served to maintain freshness?
Serve immediately after assembling or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours to keep ingredients fresh and flavors vibrant.