Frosted Pine Cheese Board (Printable Version)

Winter-inspired cheese board with sugared rosemary, fluffy white cheddar, and crunchy almond accents.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz white cheddar cheese, cubed or shredded

→ Garnishes

02 - 12 fresh rosemary sprigs
03 - 2 tbsp water
04 - 2 tbsp granulated sugar, plus extra for dusting

→ Nuts

05 - 2 oz whole almonds, raw or lightly toasted

→ Crackers & Extras

06 - 12–16 assorted gluten-free crackers (optional)
07 - 1 tbsp honey (optional, for drizzling)

# Directions:

01 - Lightly dampen rosemary sprigs with water, then roll them in granulated sugar until frosted. Allow to dry on a parchment-lined tray for 10 minutes.
02 - Place the white cheddar cheese in gentle mounds on a serving platter to resemble snowdrifts.
03 - Position the sugared rosemary sprigs upright among the cheese mounds to mimic frosted pine trees.
04 - Nestle whole almonds in small clusters near the cheese to resemble pinecones.
05 - Arrange gluten-free crackers around the platter or drizzle honey as desired.
06 - Present immediately and enjoy the visually festive arrangement.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like winter magic but takes just 20 minutes, so you can focus on actually enjoying your guests instead of sweating in the kitchen.
  • No cooking required means you can prep this while sipping wine and chatting, making the whole process feel effortless.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so nobody gets left out of the fun.
02 -
  • Sugar only sticks if your rosemary is damp but not dripping—too much water and you'll get mushy, sad sprigs instead of that glass-like crystallized effect.
  • Assemble this no more than an hour before serving or the moisture from the cheese will make the sugar dissolve and lose its sparkle.
03 -
  • Toast your almonds lightly in a dry pan for 3 minutes if you want deeper flavor and a more pronounced pinecone appearance, but let them cool completely before arranging so they don't melt nearby cheese.
  • Prep your rosemary sprigs and sugar mixture ahead, but wait to assemble the platter until 30 minutes before guests arrive so every element looks fresh and the sugared rosemary hasn't had time to weep.
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