Crescent Moon Stars Cheese Board (Printable Version)

Elegant cheese assortment with crackers, gouda stars, grapes, figs, and almonds arranged in a crescent shape.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheeses

01 - 5.3 oz aged cheddar
02 - 3.5 oz creamy blue cheese
03 - 4.2 oz brie or camembert
04 - 2.8 oz gouda (for cutting stars)

→ Crackers & Bread

05 - 3.5 oz charcoal or black sesame crackers
06 - 3.5 oz pumpernickel bread, sliced
07 - 1.8 oz seeded flatbread

→ Fruit & Nuts

08 - 1 bunch black grapes
09 - Small handful dried figs, halved
10 - Small handful Marcona almonds

→ Garnish

11 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
12 - Honey or fig preserves (optional)

# Step-by-Step Instructions:

01 - Cut 8 to 12 stars from the gouda cheese using a small star-shaped cutter and set them aside.
02 - Position charcoal or black sesame crackers and pumpernickel slices in a crescent shape along one side of a large serving board or platter.
03 - Place chunks or slices of aged cheddar, blue cheese, and brie along the interior curve of the crescent, alternating colors and textures.
04 - Distribute the gouda stars on the opposite side of the board, visually floating away from the crescent arrangement.
05 - Fill the gaps with black grapes, halved dried figs, and Marcona almonds to enhance color and flavor variety.
06 - Decorate with fresh rosemary sprigs and offer honey or fig preserves on the side if desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but requires zero cooking skills, only a bit of playful arrangement that feels like creating edible art
  • You can make it entirely while chatting with guests or helping your kids in the kitchen, making it genuinely stress-free entertaining
  • Every cheese star you cut becomes a conversation starter, and suddenly your cheese board is the centerpiece everyone remembers
02 -
  • Never cut your cheese stars more than two hours before serving. Gouda absorbs the air and loses its shine; last-minute cutting keeps them looking pristine and magical
  • The order in which you arrange components matters less than stepping back frequently to see the whole picture. I learned this after spending twenty minutes on perfect placement only to realize the overall balance was off. Quick adjustments at a distance see what your guests will actually see
03 -
  • Activated charcoal crackers create the most dramatic dark crescent, but if you can't find them, toasted pumpernickel slices layered together work beautifully too
  • Warm your honey for exactly 30 seconds in the microwave before drizzling—it becomes liquid gold that photographs like a dream and tastes even better
Go Back