Open House Cheese Cracker Spread (Print)

An abundant, visually appealing spread of cheeses, crackers, fruits, and nuts perfect for casual gatherings.

# Components:

→ Cheeses

01 - 10 oz sharp cheddar block
02 - 10 oz Swiss cheese block
03 - 10 oz creamy brie wheel
04 - 7 oz blue cheese wedge
05 - 10 oz gouda block
06 - 8 oz herbed goat cheese log

→ Crackers

07 - 9 oz whole wheat crackers
08 - 9 oz water crackers
09 - 7 oz seeded multigrain crackers
10 - 7 oz thin-cut rye crisps
11 - 7 oz gluten-free crackers (optional)

→ Accents and Accompaniments

12 - 1 cup seedless red grapes, washed and separated
13 - 1 cup green grapes, washed and separated
14 - 1 cup dried apricots
15 - 1 cup dried figs, halved
16 - 1 cup mixed nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans), toasted
17 - 1 cup Castelvetrano or kalamata olives, drained
18 - 1/2 cup honey
19 - 1/2 cup fig or apricot preserves
20 - 1/2 cup fresh basil or rosemary sprigs

# Directions:

01 - Select a large, clean wooden board, marble slab, or several platters to display all items. Wipe the surface with a damp cloth and dry completely to prevent moisture affecting the crackers.
02 - Unwrap all cheeses and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to enhance flavor and ease slicing. Position largest blocks (cheddar, Swiss, gouda) spaced evenly on the board. Place the brie centrally for visual impact. Set the blue cheese on a small plate or parchment to catch crumbles, and put the herbed goat cheese log near the edge. Lightly score the cheeses and provide a dedicated knife or spreader per variety.
03 - Create generous, overlapping piles of crackers fanned near each cheese, mixing shapes and textures for variety. Keep gluten-free crackers on a separate labeled plate to avoid cross-contact. Stack crackers loosely to prevent breakage and facilitate easy grabbing, replenishing as needed.
04 - Cluster grapes in small bunches alongside cheeses for easy picking and color contrast. Scatter dried apricots and figs in accessible mounds without crowding cheeses. Place toasted mixed nuts in small piles, keeping them contained for allergy safety. Serve olives in a small bowl with utensils to prevent brine dripping. Provide honey and preserves in separate jars with spoons for spreading. Garnish with fresh herb sprigs around the board.
05 - Assess the board for a bountiful, colorful, and inviting appearance with no empty spaces. Confirm freshness by smelling cheeses and checking cracker crispness; discard stale crackers or spoiled cheese.
06 - Place small plates, napkins, and additional cheese knives nearby. Provide tongs or forks for hygienic self-service. Monitor and replenish items during the event, ensuring utensils remain clean.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter without you having to do anything—guests naturally gather, taste, and connect over food.
  • You can build it in 30 minutes, which means less stress and more time to actually enjoy your guests.
  • Everyone finds something they love, from the adventurous eater who wants that blue cheese to the friend who just wants brie and water crackers.
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but tastes homemade and welcoming, which is the sweet spot of entertaining.
02 -
  • Room temperature is non-negotiable for cheese. I learned this the hard way when I once served cold brie to a group of friends and they politely declined—the difference when I brought it to room temp was night and day.
  • Crackers lose their crispness in humidity. Store unopened boxes in a cool, dry place, and if they sit on the board for more than an hour or two, replace them with fresh ones. Stale crackers make even great cheese taste sad.
  • Each cheese needs its own knife. Cross-contamination of flavors is real, and blue cheese on the water crackers changes the whole experience in ways your guests won't enjoy.
  • Olives in brine will slowly seep and ruin crackers nearby. Always serve them in a small bowl away from the cracker piles, with a fork or spoon for serving.
  • The visual is half the experience. A board that looks abundant and thoughtfully arranged makes people feel welcomed before they even taste anything.
03 -
  • Toast your nuts yourself if at all possible. That fifteen minutes of toasting transforms them from pleasant to unforgettable, and the smell fills your home with a sense of occasion.
  • Buy your cheeses from a real cheesemonger if you can, not pre-wrapped from a supermarket. They'll talk to you about what pairs well, what's in season, and what's at peak flavor. This conversation alone elevates your board.
  • If you're serving more than 20 people, make two boards instead of one massive one. A crowded board looks picked-over, but two boards feel generous and allow people to actually reach things.
  • Dried fruit is your secret weapon. While everyone expects grapes and nuts, a bowl of figs or apricots delights people and feels more thoughtful than the usual.
  • Set up your board no more than 45 minutes before guests arrive—this is the sweet spot where everything is at its best: cheeses are room temperature, crackers are still crisp, and the whole thing looks fresh.
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