Pin A playful, visually striking appetizer platter inspired by urban skyscrapers, featuring a variety of stacked savory bites perfect for cocktail parties or modern gatherings.
This appetizer always draws compliments at my gatherings and allows guests to customize their bites just like building their own skyscrapers.
Ingredients
- Breads & Crackers: 16 cocktail rye bread squares, 16 multigrain cracker rectangles, 16 breadstick segments (about 2 inches long each)
- Cheeses: 120 g (4 oz) aged cheddar sliced, 120 g (4 oz) herbed cream cheese, 120 g (4 oz) gouda sliced
- Vegetables & Garnishes: 1 cucumber sliced into thin rectangles, 1 red bell pepper cut into thin strips, 8 cherry tomatoes halved, 2 avocados sliced, 1 small bunch chives cut into 2 inch lengths
- Extras: 16 pitted green olives, 1 tbsp black sesame seeds, 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Step 1:
- Prepare a large platter or wooden board as your cityscape base.
- Step 2:
- Lay out the cocktail rye bread and multigrain crackers in clusters mimicking city blocks.
- Step 3:
- Stack slices of cheddar and gouda on some bread/crackers to form skyscraper layers.
- Step 4:
- Use herbed cream cheese as glue to adhere vegetable slices (cucumber, bell pepper, avocado) between layers or on top for color and height.
- Step 5:
- Place breadstick segments upright into some stacks for extra verticality and visual effect.
- Step 6:
- Garnish with halved cherry tomatoes, olives, and chive lengths to enhance the skyline look.
- Step 7:
- Drizzle lightly with olive oil, sprinkle with sesame seeds, salt, and pepper.
- Step 8:
- Serve immediately allowing guests to choose and enjoy their favorite skyscraper bite.
Pin This recipe always brings my family and friends together as we share stories assembling our edible skyscrapers.
Required Tools
Large serving platter or board, Small paring knife, Cheese slicer or sharp knife, Spatula or butter knife
Allergen Information
Contains Milk (cheese cream cheese), Gluten (bread crackers breadsticks), Sesame (seeds). May contain Tree nuts (check cheese/cream cheese labels), Soy (check bread/crackers). Always check ingredient packaging for allergens if serving guests with sensitivities.
Nutritional Information
Calories 180, Total Fat 10 g, Carbohydrates 18 g, Protein 6 g
Pin This appetizer is quick to prepare and impressively displays a variety of flavors for all guests to enjoy.
Recipe Questions
- → What breads work best for stacking the bites?
Cocktail rye bread squares, multigrain crackers, and breadstick segments provide sturdy bases and varied textures for building the layers.
- → How can I keep the layers from slipping apart?
Use herbed cream cheese as a binding layer between cheeses and vegetables to hold the stacks securely.
- → Can I include non-vegetarian options?
Yes, thinly sliced smoked salmon, prosciutto, or turkey breast can be added to select stacks for meat variations.
- → What garnishes enhance the visual appeal?
Halved cherry tomatoes, pitted green olives, chive lengths, black sesame seeds, and a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil create a vibrant skyline effect.
- → Any tips for accommodating dietary restrictions?
Swap in gluten-free crackers or breads to suit gluten sensitivities and always check cheese and bread labels for allergens.