Twelve Days Cheese Board (Printable Version)

A festive board with 12 distinct cheese and pairing sections, ideal for parties and celebrations.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 1.8 oz Brie
02 - 1.8 oz Aged Cheddar
03 - 1.8 oz Manchego
04 - 1.8 oz Roquefort or Blue Cheese
05 - 1.8 oz Goat Cheese
06 - 1.8 oz Gruyère
07 - 1.8 oz Camembert
08 - 1.8 oz Gouda
09 - 1.8 oz Comté
10 - 1.8 oz Pecorino
11 - 1.8 oz Havarti
12 - 1.8 oz Smoked Cheese (e.g., Smoked Provolone)

→ Pairings & Accompaniments

13 - 12 slices artisanal bread or assorted crackers
14 - 2 tbsp honey
15 - 2 tbsp fig jam
16 - 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
17 - 24 seedless grapes
18 - 12 dried apricots
19 - 12 walnut halves
20 - 12 toasted almonds
21 - 12 thin apple slices
22 - 12 slices fresh pear
23 - 12 pieces dark chocolate
24 - 12 cornichons
25 - Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary) for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Arrange a large platter and visually divide it into 12 equal sections using small bowls, ramekins, or garnish lines.
02 - Place one cheese variety in each section, cutting into bite-sized pieces if necessary for an appealing presentation.
03 - Pair each cheese with its specific accompaniment as follows: Brie with honey and apple slice; Aged Cheddar with fig jam and walnut; Manchego with quince paste and almond; Roquefort with pear slice and walnut; Goat Cheese with thyme and grape; Gruyère with mustard and cornichon; Camembert with apple and almond; Gouda with dried apricot and dark chocolate; Comté with grape and walnut; Pecorino with pear and honey; Havarti with fig jam and almond; Smoked Cheese with cornichon and dark chocolate.
04 - Place artisanal bread slices or crackers around the board, ensuring sufficient quantity for all sections.
05 - Scatter fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs over the board to enhance visual appeal and flavor.
06 - Present the cheese board at room temperature to maximize flavors and textures.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It transforms a simple gathering into an elegant, interactive experience where every guest finds their favorite cheese hiding in the crowd
  • The preparation takes just 35 minutes but looks like you spent hours curating flavors from across the globe
  • Each pairing tells a story—sweet figs with aged cheddar, creamy brie with golden honey—creating natural conversations around the table
02 -
  • Never serve cheese straight from the refrigerator; those 15-20 minutes of tempering at room temperature make the difference between a good board and a transformative one
  • Cut your apple and pear slices as close to serving as possible, and toss them lightly with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to prevent oxidation and browning
  • The chocolate should be good quality—cheap chocolate will taste hollow and regrettable next to artisanal cheese
03 -
  • Invest in proper cheese knives—a small offset knife, a cheddar knife with its forked end, and a soft cheese spreader make serving effortless and elegant
  • The twelve-section structure is a guide, not a rule; if you're serving more people, double each section; if fewer, create six stunning pairings instead
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