Peppermint Stripe Celebration (Print View)

A festive platter featuring red and white layers with cheeses, berries, and savory accents for holiday cheer.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or bocconcini)
02 - 7 oz white cheddar cheese, sliced
03 - 7 oz Havarti cheese, sliced

→ Red Accents

04 - 5 oz sliced strawberries
05 - 5 oz raspberries
06 - 3.5 oz cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
07 - 3.5 oz roasted red bell peppers, sliced

→ Savory Meats (optional)

08 - 5 oz thinly sliced salami
09 - 3.5 oz prosciutto

→ Crackers & Bread

10 - 5 oz water crackers
11 - 3.5 oz baguette slices

→ Garnishes

12 - Fresh mint leaves for decoration
13 - Microgreens or edible flowers (optional)

# Method:

01 - Select a large rectangular or circular serving platter to arrange ingredients.
02 - Place a row of white cheese using mozzarella balls or cheddar slices along one edge of the platter.
03 - Arrange a row of red elements, such as sliced strawberries or raspberries, adjacent to the white cheese row.
04 - Continue layering alternating rows of white and red ingredients, incorporating cheeses, tomatoes, roasted peppers, and meats to form distinct stripes.
05 - Insert rows of water crackers and baguette slices between some stripes for added texture and contrast.
06 - If using, roll salami slices into rose shapes and nestle them within red-striped rows.
07 - Decorate the arrangement with fresh mint leaves to enhance the peppermint theme and add optional microgreens or edible flowers.
08 - Present immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to two hours before service.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely showstopping with zero cooking required—just 25 minutes of beautiful assembly that feels like creating art instead of preparing food
  • The alternating red and white stripes taste as good as they look, with fresh cheeses, bright berries, and savory accents that balance perfectly together
  • It's the kind of platter that works for any winter gathering, from casual holiday parties to elegant celebrations, and everyone assumes you spent hours on it
02 -
  • Assemble this platter as close to serving time as possible; the moment cheese and fruit are cut, they start losing their moisture and freshness, so timing is your secret weapon
  • Slice your strawberries just before arranging them; they release juice quickly and can weep into the platter if given time, turning your color stripes muddy
  • Buy whole cheeses and slice them yourself whenever possible—pre-sliced cheese often has a thin coating that prevents it from sitting perfectly flush against the platter
03 -
  • Use a bench scraper or offset spatula rather than a knife when arranging items; it lets you move things without bruising delicate berries or crumbling cheese
  • Pat your cheese and fruit dry with paper towels before arranging—any moisture creates slipping and sliding, and suddenly your perfect stripes are chaos
  • If you're traveling with this platter, use parchment paper between layers to prevent the presentation from shifting, and don't add the mint until you've transported it and you're ready to serve
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