Peppermint Stripe Celebration Platter (Print Version)

A festive platter featuring rows of red and white ingredients perfect for holiday gatherings.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or bocconcini)
02 - 7 oz white cheddar cheese, sliced
03 - 7 oz Havarti cheese, sliced

→ Red Accents

04 - 5 oz sliced strawberries
05 - 5 oz raspberries
06 - 3.5 oz cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
07 - 3.5 oz roasted red bell peppers, sliced

→ Savory Meats (optional)

08 - 5 oz thinly sliced salami
09 - 3.5 oz prosciutto

→ Crackers & Bread

10 - 5 oz water crackers
11 - 3.5 oz baguette slices

→ Garnishes

12 - Fresh mint leaves, for decoration
13 - Microgreens or edible flowers (optional)

# How To:

01 - Arrange a large rectangular or circular serving platter as the foundation.
02 - Starting at one edge, place a row of white cheese using mozzarella balls or cheddar slices.
03 - Place a row of red ingredients such as sliced strawberries or raspberries adjacent to the cheese.
04 - Continue alternating rows of white and red elements, incorporating cheeses, tomatoes, roasted peppers, and optional meats to create clear striped patterns.
05 - Insert rows of water crackers and baguette slices between some stripes to add texture and variety.
06 - If using salami, roll slices into roses and tuck them within the red ingredient rows for decorative effect.
07 - Decorate the platter with fresh mint leaves to enhance the peppermint theme.
08 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to 2 hours before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required—just thoughtful arranging, which means you can focus on enjoying your guests instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • It looks absolutely stunning without seeming like you spent hours on it, which is the real secret to great entertaining
  • The alternating colors are so visually striking that it becomes the conversation starter before anyone even tastes it
  • You can prep it hours ahead and refrigerate, so holiday stress actually becomes holiday ease
02 -
  • Moisture is your enemy—pat dry all your ingredients, especially the berries and tomatoes. A wet platter weeps and loses its visual drama. Use paper towels generously.
  • The order of construction matters more than you'd think. If you place your ingredients randomly, it just looks like scattered food. Building in deliberate stripes from one edge is what creates the wow moment.
  • Temperature matters. Take cheeses out of the fridge 15 minutes before serving if possible—cold cheese tastes like almost nothing, but properly cool cheese (not room temperature) tastes creamy and full. This detail separates a good platter from one people remember.
03 -
  • Buy your ingredients the day you're serving this platter. The difference in freshness between day-of and day-before is genuinely noticeable—cheese tastes brighter, fruit tastes juicier, and everything simply tastes more alive.
  • If you're nervous about the arrangement, sketch it out on paper first. Seriously—just draw a quick diagram showing where each color goes. It takes the pressure off in the moment and makes you feel more confident.
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