Fireside Comfort & Cocoa (Printable)

A rustic platter combining dark chocolate, aged cheeses, nuts, fruit, and warm cocoa for an inviting snack.

# Ingredient list:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz aged cheddar, cut into large irregular chunks
02 - 5.3 oz aged gouda, broken into wedges
03 - 5.3 oz blue cheese, crumbled or chunked

→ Chocolate & Sweets

04 - 4.2 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), broken into pieces
05 - 3.5 oz chocolate-covered almonds
06 - 2.8 oz chocolate-dipped dried figs
07 - 2.1 oz chocolate truffles

→ Accompaniments

08 - 1 small baguette, sliced
09 - 2.8 oz roasted walnuts or pecans
10 - 1 pear, sliced
11 - 1 apple, sliced
12 - 2 tbsp honey

→ Hot Cocoa

13 - 2 cups whole milk
14 - 3.5 oz dark chocolate, chopped
15 - 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
16 - 1 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
17 - Pinch of salt
18 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
19 - Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
20 - Shaved chocolate, for garnish (optional)

# Cooking steps:

01 - Arrange the aged cheddar, gouda, and blue cheese on a large wooden board, preserving rustic and irregular shapes for a hearty appearance.
02 - Place dark chocolate pieces, chocolate-covered almonds, chocolate-dipped figs, and truffles clustered together on the board for visual contrast.
03 - Surround the cheeses and chocolates with sliced baguette, roasted nuts, pear, and apple slices. Drizzle honey into a small bowl for dipping.
04 - Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Add chopped dark chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt. Whisk until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Pour hot cocoa into mugs and optionally top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate. Serve alongside the platter for a comforting experience.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It requires almost no cooking skill, just an eye for arrangement and the confidence to let quality ingredients speak for themselves
  • The contrast between warm cocoa, rich cheese, and smooth chocolate creates layers of comfort that feel indulgent without being heavy
  • It's endlessly customizable, so you can build it around whatever beautiful ingredients you find at your market
02 -
  • Never arrange your platter more than 30 minutes before serving—cheese begins to sweat under the lights, and apples turn brown. But do arrange it in front of people if you can, because watching you build it is half the charm
  • The secret to perfect hot cocoa is whisking constantly and never letting the milk actually boil, which breaks something essential in both the chocolate and the milk. Low heat and patience are the real ingredients
03 -
  • Source your cheeses from a proper cheese counter where you can taste before buying—the difference between good aged cheddar and great aged cheddar is the difference between a nice evening and a memorable one
  • Make your hot cocoa just before serving so it's still steaming when it reaches the table, because the warmth of the mug in your hands is part of what makes this recipe feel like a hug
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