Gilded Hive Cheese Board (Printable Version)

Hexagon-cut cheeses and crackers arranged around a honeycomb centerpiece for stylish entertaining.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz Manchego cheese
02 - 3.5 oz Aged cheddar
03 - 3.5 oz Gruyère
04 - 3.5 oz Brie
05 - 3.5 oz Blue cheese
06 - 3.5 oz Goat cheese log

→ Crackers

07 - 8.8 oz whole wheat crackers (large, square or rectangular)
08 - 8.8 oz seeded crackers

→ Honeycomb Center

09 - 3.5 oz edible honeycomb

→ Accompaniments

10 - 2 tbsp runny honey
11 - 1/2 cup Marcona almonds
12 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
13 - 1/2 cup fresh grapes
14 - Fresh edible flowers or microgreens (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Use a food-safe hexagon-shaped cookie cutter (2–3 inches wide) to slice all cheeses into neat hexagons. Chill softer cheeses like Brie and goat cheese briefly before cutting to ensure cleaner edges.
02 - Arrange crackers and trim them carefully into hexagon shapes using the same cutter. Select intact pieces for display, discarding broken bits.
03 - Place the edible honeycomb at the center of the serving board to serve as the focal point.
04 - Create a circular, radiating pattern around the honeycomb by alternating hexagon-cut cheeses to add color and texture contrast.
05 - Form additional circles or rays around the cheese layer with hexagon-cut crackers to extend the beehive motif.
06 - Nestle Marcona almonds, dried apricots, and fresh grapes into the spaces between cheeses and crackers for visual and flavor balance.
07 - Lightly drizzle runny honey over the honeycomb and surrounding cheeses for gloss and sweetness.
08 - Add fresh edible flowers or microgreens if desired. Serve promptly with appropriate cheese knives and spreaders.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours preparing when setup takes barely half an hour.
  • Every cheese shines individually but tastes even better as part of the whole.
  • It's vegetarian-friendly, naturally gluten-free if you swap the crackers, and scales effortlessly for any crowd.
02 -
  • Chill soft cheeses before cutting, or they'll smear instead of slice cleanly and your hexagons will look ragged.
  • Arrange everything just before serving; cheese at room temperature looks tired, but cheese still slightly cool looks intentional and elegant.
03 -
  • A sharp, metal hexagon cutter and clean wipes between cuts are the difference between professional-looking pieces and frustration.
  • Arrange this board on a board that's larger than you think you need; negative space actually makes the pattern read better and gives room for plates and glasses.
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