The Frosted Pine Cheese (Printable)

Festive blend of sugared rosemary, white cheddar, and almonds arranged for winter gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz white cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded

→ Garnishes

02 - 12 fresh rosemary sprigs
03 - 2 tbsp water
04 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar, plus extra for dusting

→ Nuts

05 - 2 oz whole almonds, raw or lightly toasted

→ Crackers & Extras

06 - 12–16 assorted gluten-free crackers (optional)
07 - 1 tbsp honey (optional, for drizzling)

# Directions:

01 - Lightly dampen rosemary sprigs with water, then roll them in granulated sugar until frosted. Let dry on a parchment-lined tray for 10 minutes.
02 - Place white cheddar cheese in gentle mounds on a serving platter to resemble snowdrifts.
03 - Insert sugared rosemary sprigs upright among the cheese mounds to mimic frosted pine trees.
04 - Nestle whole almonds in small clusters near the cheese to simulate pinecones.
05 - Arrange gluten-free crackers or drizzle honey around the platter as desired.
06 - Present immediately to showcase the wintry design.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when you really spent twenty minutes, which is the dream.
  • Everyone eats with their eyes first, and this board delivers the 'wow' moment before anyone tastes a thing.
  • Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so it actually works for most of your guest list without scrambling.
02 -
  • Dampen the rosemary with restraint—too much water and you'll end up with syrupy herb sprigs instead of frosted ones, which I learned the hard way at my second attempt.
  • If your rosemary needles are particularly dry, mist them gently before wetting; this helps the sugar coat more evenly and prevents bare patches.
  • Assemble everything just before guests arrive because the sugar will start to soften as the cheese releases moisture over time.
03 -
  • Toast your almonds for just five minutes in a dry skillet—you'll hear them start to crackle and smell them before they burn, which is the sweet spot for bringing out their nutty sweetness.
  • Use a serving platter with a slight rim or lip so the cheese doesn't slide around as people graze; I learned this when half my carefully arranged mound shifted mid-party.
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