Festive Tannenbaum Cheese Board (Print View)

Thin triangular cheese slices and green grapes form a festive cheese board border with pine tree flair.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 8.8 oz semi-firm cheese (e.g., Gouda, Edam, Emmental), well chilled

→ Fruit

02 - 5.3 oz small green seedless grapes, washed and fully dried

# How To Make It:

01 - Cut cheese into thin, triangular pieces about 2 to 2.4 inches long and 0.4 inch wide at the base to mimic stylized pine trees.

02 - Place the cheese triangles along all four sides of the serving board, points facing outward to create a pine tree border.

03 - Position small green grapes between and around the cheese pieces to fill gaps and enhance the tree-like appearance.

04 - Continue adding cheese and grapes until the entire border is decorated with a holiday presentation.

05 - Arrange additional cheeses, charcuterie, crackers, or accompaniments in the center as desired.

# Expert Insights:

01 -

It transforms a simple cheese board into a show-stopping centerpiece that makes everyone say 'wow' before they even taste anything
Takes just 15 minutes but looks like you spent hours planning it—the kind of trick that makes you feel like a culinary genius
It's vegetarian, gluten-free, and impresses without requiring any cooking skills, just a sharp knife and a little imagination

02 -

Wet grapes are your enemy—they'll slide around and won't stay tucked between the cheese. Dry them thoroughly with a clean towel, and everything becomes easier.
The cheese must be properly chilled before slicing, or you'll end up with broken pieces instead of clean triangles. Room temperature cheese is never your friend for this project.

03 -

A very sharp chef's knife makes all the difference—dull knives will crush the cheese instead of cutting cleanly through it, leaving you frustrated instead of proud
If you're making this more than an hour ahead, keep the board chilled until 15 minutes before serving so the cheese stays firm and the grapes stay fresh and crisp