Garden Gate Lattice Cheese Platter (Print Version)

Thinly sliced cheeses and cracker strips woven into a visually stunning lattice for refined snacking.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz sharp cheddar cheese, thinly sliced
02 - 3.5 oz Swiss cheese, thinly sliced
03 - 3.5 oz Gouda cheese, thinly sliced

→ Crackers

04 - 5.3 oz rectangular whole-grain crackers, cut into long strips about 0.4 inch wide
05 - 3.5 oz sesame crackers, cut into strips

→ Garnishes (optional)

06 - 2 tbsp fresh chives, finely chopped
07 - 1 tbsp poppy seeds
08 - 1 tbsp honey for drizzling

# How to Make It:

01 - Place a clean rectangular serving board or platter on a stable surface.
02 - Lay out thin slices of cheese and strips of crackers alternately in horizontal rows across the board, leaving small spaces between pieces.
03 - Begin at one edge and carefully weave vertical rows of cheese slices and cracker strips over and under the horizontal rows, alternating types to enhance visual contrast.
04 - Neatly trim any overhanging pieces to maintain a tidy rectangular appearance.
05 - Sprinkle finely chopped chives and poppy seeds evenly over the lattice. Drizzle with honey if desired.
06 - Present immediately, inviting guests to break off sections from the lattice.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when really you've only invested twenty minutes of pure creativity
  • The combination of sharp cheddar, creamy Gouda, and nutty Swiss means every single bite tastes different and interesting
  • This is the kind of appetizer that makes guests actually pause and take photos before eating, which feels surprisingly good as a cook
  • It's completely vegetarian, elegant enough for any occasion, yet requires zero actual cooking
02 -
  • Room temperature cheese becomes soft and nearly impossible to weave within minutes. Keep your cheeses cool by slicing them just before you're ready to weave, and work quickly. If they start to soften, pop the whole platter in the refrigerator for five minutes.
  • The way you cut your strips matters more than you'd think. Uneven widths make weaving chaotic and the final platter looks uncertain. Take time to cut uniform pieces, and your hands will thank you for the easier assembly.
  • Moisture is the enemy of crispness. Don't add your garnishes until the absolute last moment before serving, and serve on a completely dry platter. Any dampness will soften the crackers within minutes.
03 -
  • A mandoline slicer is genuinely worth the investment if you make this more than once. It creates perfectly uniform cheese slices that weave like silk and make the whole platter look professionally executed
  • Keep your cheese wrapped in parchment paper until the absolute moment you need it, so it stays cool and dry and doesn't absorb any moisture from the air
  • If you're making this for a specific time, assemble it no more than thirty minutes before serving. The lattice holds its structure beautifully for about an hour, but after that, the cheese begins to soften and the crackers lose their satisfying crunch
Go Back