Santa cheese platter – A Quick & Festive Guide to Make
Introduction
In my years spent curating menus for grand holiday galas and intimate family gatherings, I have learned one undeniable truth: the first bite is taken with the eyes. What is a festive celebration without a centerpiece that silences the room, if only for a moment of shared delight? Forget the complicated canapés and fussy appetizers. This year, we are crafting an edible work of art that is as joyful to create as it is to devour. I present to you the ultimate holiday showstopper: the Santa cheese platter. This is not merely a collection of cheese and charcuterie; it is a story told with flavor, a whimsical portrait of Father Christmas himself. It embodies the spirit of the season- generous, cheerful, and designed for sharing. Prepare to discover how simple ingredients can transform into a memorable holiday masterpiece.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- A Stunning Holiday Centerpiece: This platter is an instant conversation starter that brings a touch of magic to your holiday table. Its visual appeal is matched only by its delicious taste.
- Effortlessly Simple Assembly: Despite its impressive appearance, this recipe requires no cooking and comes together with simple, strategic placement. It’s a high-impact appetizer with minimal effort.
- Perfect for All Ages: Children and adults alike will be enchanted by this edible art. It’s a wonderful way to get the entire family involved in the holiday preparations.
- Completely Customizable: Feel free to adapt the ingredients to your personal preferences. Swap out cheeses, add different fruits, or experiment with various charcuterie to make your Santa cheese platter uniquely yours.
Preparation Time and Servings
This delightful creation is designed to be a quick and stress-free addition to your festive menu, allowing you more time with your loved ones.
⏱️ Preparation Time: 25 minutes
🔥 Cooking Time: 0 minutes
⏰ Total Time: 25 minutes
💡 Difficulty: Easy
👥 Servings: 8-10 people
Ingredients List
- For Santa’s Face and Features:
- 1 (8-ounce) wheel of Brie or Camembert, for the face
- 2 black olives, for the eyes
- 1 large cherry tomato or red grape, for the nose
- For Santa’s Hat:
- 4 ounces thinly sliced pepperoni or salami
- 1/2 cup small mozzarella balls (bocconcini) or crumbled feta cheese, for the hat trim
- 1 large mozzarella ball for the pom-pom
- For Santa’s Beard:
- 6 ounces crumbled goat cheese or feta cheese
- For Serving and Garnish:
- 2-3 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- Assorted crackers, baguette slices, and breadsticks
- Optional additions: green grapes, sugared cranberries, or mixed nuts to fill out the board
Step-by-Step Instructions for Your Santa Cheese Platter
- Select Your Canvas: Choose a large wooden board, slate, or platter. The foundation of your art piece is important. Position it where you plan to serve it to avoid a delicate transfer later.
- Position the Face: Place the wheel of Brie slightly below the center of the board. This will serve as Santa’s cheerful face and the anchor point for the entire design.
- Craft the Hat: Begin creating the hat above the Brie. Fold the pepperoni or salami slices in half and arrange them in an overlapping, triangular shape pointing towards one corner of the board. The base of the triangle should rest on top of the Brie.
- Add the Fluffy Trim: Create the hat’s trim by lining the base of the pepperoni triangle with a generous row of small mozzarella balls or crumbled feta. Place the single large mozzarella ball at the tip of the hat for the pom-pom.
- Shape the Beard: Now for the iconic beard. Carefully arrange the crumbled goat or feta cheese below the Brie wheel. Mound it generously and shape it into a full, flowing beard. This is the key to a convincing and delicious Santa cheese platter.
- Bring Santa to Life: Give Santa his personality. Gently press the two black olives onto the Brie for his eyes and place the cherry tomato in the center for his rosy nose.
- Garnish and Fill: Frame your creation. Arrange the fresh rosemary sprigs around the platter to resemble a festive wreath. Artfully place your crackers, bread slices, and any optional grapes or nuts in the remaining empty spaces. Ensure there is a variety of textures and shapes.
Expert Tips for Success
- Choose the Right Board: A large, flat board is essential. A round or rectangular board works well, but ensure you have enough space so the design doesn’t look cramped. The board is your frame, so choose one that complements the festive colors.
- Cheese at Room Temperature: For the best flavor and texture, allow the Brie to sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving. This softens the cheese, making it creamy and easy to spread.
- Prep Your Ingredients: The beauty of this Santa cheese platter is its assembly. Have all your ingredients washed, sliced, and ready to go before you start building. This turns the process into a fun, artistic exercise rather than a chore.
- Play with Textures: Don’t be afraid to mix and match. The contrast between the creamy Brie, savory salami, tangy goat cheese, and crisp crackers is what makes this platter so satisfying. Adding nuts or fruits introduces another layer of texture and flavor.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Crafting the perfect edible art is simple if you avoid these common pitfalls:
- Overcrowding the Board: While a bountiful board is the goal, leave some “breathing room” between elements. This makes the Santa design stand out and allows guests to easily pick up items without disturbing the entire arrangement.
- Assembling Too Early: To ensure freshness, assemble the platter no more than an hour or two before guests arrive. Cheeses can dry out and crackers can become soft if left out for too long.
- Inconsistent Sizing: When creating the hat, try to use salami or pepperoni slices that are uniform in size. This creates a much cleaner and more professional look for your Santa cheese platter design.
- Forgetting Serving Utensils: Always provide small cheese knives for the Brie and tongs or small forks for the other components. This keeps the platter tidy and hygienic for everyone to enjoy.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
If you have any leftovers from your magnificent platter, here is how to preserve them:
- Short-term storage: During a party, you can cover the platter loosely with plastic wrap to keep it fresh for a few hours.
- Refrigeration: For best results, disassemble the platter. Store the cheeses, meats, and other components in separate airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: We do not recommend freezing the assembled platter or the soft cheeses. However, leftover salami or pepperoni can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 2 months.
- Make-ahead option: You can wash grapes and slice bread a day in advance. Store them in airtight containers. This makes the final assembly even quicker when you’re ready to create your masterpiece. Understanding how to make a cute and easy Santa shaped cheese platter is all about smart prep.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can I use different cheeses for the Santa cheese platter?
Absolutely! The beauty of a cheese platter is its versatility. For the face, any round soft cheese like Camembert works perfectly. For the beard, you could substitute crumbled feta with ricotta salata or even a finely shredded white cheddar for a different flavor profile. The key is to maintain the color scheme of red and white.
What are the best crackers or breads to serve with this?
I recommend offering a variety to please every palate. Buttery, flaky crackers are excellent with the creamy Brie. Sturdy, whole-grain crackers hold up well to the tangy goat cheese. And thin, crispy breadsticks or toasted baguette slices are a classic choice that pairs well with everything on the board.
Conclusion
Creating this festive board is more than just preparing an appetizer; it’s about crafting a moment of holiday joy. This whimsical, delicious, and surprisingly simple Santa cheese platter is guaranteed to be the star of your celebration. It proves that the most memorable dishes are often those that combine great flavor with a touch of heartfelt creativity. Now, go create your masterpiece. Don’t forget to share this guide on How to make a cute and easy Santa shaped cheese platter with your friends and family!
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OOLALA
This turned out so awesome they look like they came from a exspensive bakery.
Just a question
So what about the grease from the meat? Should I use the leanest meats or is the grease give more flavor.
What about a meatloaf on top of veggies ? Would that work?
Ingredients list good, directions lacking
There were great details on quantities of ingredients I should use, but the recipe didn’t tell me the cook time. Also, mentioned in the section about “common mistakes” that you need to let it chill enough but doesn’t direct you in the recipe that you need to let it chill. More details would be helpful
Dressing is perfect!
Not a big fan of mayo, loved the Greek yogurt swap. Reduced garlic a bit. Dressing was delish!
Best coffee cake- ever!!
This recipe was not the easiest to follow due to how it was written. It requires a lot of back and forth from instructions to the lists of ingredients but oh, hey, the end result is totally worth the effort! Mouthwatering and delicious plus it’s a pretty presentation.
