Twelve Days Cheese Board (Printable)

A festive board showcasing twelve cheeses with ideal accompaniments for a vibrant presentation.

# Ingredient list:

→ Cheeses

01 - 1.76 oz Brie
02 - 1.76 oz Aged Cheddar
03 - 1.76 oz Manchego
04 - 1.76 oz Roquefort or Blue Cheese
05 - 1.76 oz Goat Cheese
06 - 1.76 oz Gruyère
07 - 1.76 oz Camembert
08 - 1.76 oz Gouda
09 - 1.76 oz Comté
10 - 1.76 oz Pecorino
11 - 1.76 oz Havarti
12 - 1.76 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

# Cooking steps:

01 - Arrange a large serving board or platter, dividing it into 12 distinct sections using small bowls, ramekins, or garnish lines.
02 - Place one type of cheese in each section, cutting into bite-sized pieces where appropriate for easy serving.
03 - Complement each cheese with a designated accompaniment, for example: 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 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 assorted crackers around the board, ensuring ample quantity for all sections.
05 - Decorate the board with fresh thyme and rosemary sprigs to enhance visual appeal and aroma.
06 - Present the assembled board at room temperature to optimize flavors.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It's the ultimate crowd-pleaser that makes you look like a party genius without requiring cooking skills
  • Twelve individual pairings mean there's genuinely something for everyone, from blue cheese lovers to those just discovering Manchego
  • The presentation alone will have guests talking about your party long after the last crumb disappears
02 -
  • Room temperature is non-negotiable. Cold cheese is closed cheese. Pull it from the fridge thirty minutes before serving and watch how much more flavor emerges
  • Each pairing isn't random—it's been tested by time. Brie with honey isn't just tradition, it's because the sweetness makes the creaminess taste even more luxurious
  • Twelve cheeses isn't about excess, it's about education. Each one teaches something different about what cheese can be
03 -
  • Invest in proper cheese knives—one for soft cheese, one for hard. It prevents flavors from transferring and shows respect for each cheese's uniqueness
  • The best parties have a quiet moment when everyone stops talking and just tastes. That's the moment the board has done its job
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