Fruit and Cheese Platter

What to Add to a Fruit and Cheese Platter:

A well-balanced fruit board is all about variety, color, and texture. Here's a simple formula to make it crowd-pleasing and effortlessly elegant:

1. Cheese: I like to include a variety of textures: a soft, spreadable cheese, a firm, hard cheese, and a crumbly or flavorful one. For example, consider brie or soft goat cheese, aged cheddar or gouda, and a nutty parmesan.
2. Fruits: Mix in fresh seasonal fruits—think grapes, apples, pears and berries — for natural sweetness and color. For added texture and richness, layer in dried fruits like figs, apricots, cherries or cranberries.
3. Crackers & Breads: Add an assortment of store-bought crackers, parmesan crackers or thinly sliced baguette to pair with both cheeses and spreads. A mix of shapes and textures keeps things interesting.
4. Nuts: Roasted or candied nuts like almonds, pecans or walnuts add crunch. Bonus: they double as a protein-rich snack!
5. Sweet & Savory Extras: Round it out with sweet spreads like fig jam or marmalade, and savory bites like olives.

What fruits and cheese go together?

Cheese and fruit make a tasty combination, with the richness and creaminess of cheese balancing the sweetness or tartness of fruit. Here are some yummy cheese and fruit pairings:

• Soft, buttery cheese like brie pairs beautifully with the crispness of apples or pears, as well as the sweetness of figs or persimmons. You will also love this baked brie with puff pastry recipe.
• Creamy and tangy goat cheese pairs well with bright and sweet berries figs or persimmons.
• Nutty flavor of aged cheddar contrasts nicely with the sweetness and crispness of apples and pears, and also figs.
• Umami rich parmigiano reggiano contrasts nicely with the sweetness of grapes, pears, apples or figs.
• Gouda’s smooth, slightly caramelized flavor pairs perfectly with crisp apples and the sweetness of dried apricots and figs.
  

Customize the fruits for the season

My favorite part about a fruit charcuterie board is that there are no rules! While the cheeses, nuts, and crackers stay fairly consistent year-round, you can mix things up with whatever fruit is in season. Here are a few suggestions:

• Mothers day - A mix of fresh berries like strawberries, blackberries or blueberries, apples and cherries.
• Thanksgiving - Pears, apples, persimmons, figs and kumquates.
• Christmas - Apples, pears, grapes, persimmon and pomegranate.
• New Year's Eve - Apples, pears, orange slices and grapes.
• Valentine’s Day - Oranges, apples and grapes.

Choosing the platter for parties

Choosing the right platter for your fruit cheese platter is key to creating an attractive and functional display. Here are some tips to select the right platter:

• Size - Choose a platter that’s large enough to hold all your cheeses, fruits, crackers, and other accompaniments without overcrowding. You want enough space for each element to stand out.
• Shape - A round platter gives a more natural, free-flowing look, while a square or rectangular platter offers a more structured, elegant appearance.
• Material - A wooden board offers a rustic, natural feel that beautifully highlights the colors of the food and is perfect for serving cheese, while a marble platter adds sophistication with its cool touch, and a slate board brings a modern, edgy vibe to the presentation.
• Rimmed edge - A flat platter offers a minimalist, clean presentation, while raised edges or trays with a lip help keep everything in place—ideal for holding nuts, small fruits like grapes and berries, or spreads.
• Color - Choose neutral tones like wood, white, or black to allow the vibrant colors of the food to stand out and shine.

Go beyond fruit and cheese

A truly well-rounded fruit board goes far beyond just cheese and fruit!

• Add some crunchy crackers, toasted crunchy breadsticks or toasted crostini for spreading creamy cheeses and jams.
• Toasted nuts like almonds, pecans, or walnuts provide a satisfying crunch and complement the flavors of the cheese. For a sweet touch, try candied pecans in stovetop or candied walnuts, which pair beautifully with rich cheeses.
• Olives bring a briny, savory contrast.
• Sweet spreads like hot honey, fig jam, or apricot preserves enhance the flavor of many cheeses.
• Dried fruits like apricots, cranberries, figs, or dates add a delicious chewiness that balances the richness of the cheese.