Tannenbaum Cheese Board Border (Printable)

A decorative cheese board edge featuring pine tree-shaped cheese slices and fresh grapes.

# What you'll need:

→ Cheese

01 - 8.8 oz semi-firm cheese (Gouda, Edam, or Emmental), well chilled

→ Fruit

02 - 5.3 oz small green seedless grapes, washed and thoroughly dried

# Method:

01 - Slice the cheese into thin, triangular pieces about 2–2.4 inches long and 0.4 inches wide at the base to resemble stylized pine trees.
02 - Place the cheese triangles along all four edges of the serving platter with the points facing outward to mimic pine tree shapes.
03 - Nestle the green grapes between and around the cheese triangles to fill gaps and enhance the tree-like effect.
04 - Continue arranging until the entire border is covered and visually appealing.
05 - Fill the center of the board with a selection of cheeses, charcuterie, crackers, or other accompaniments as desired.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's the easiest way to look like you spent hours on presentation when it really takes just 15 minutes—your guests will think you're a styling genius
  • There's something deeply satisfying about arranging these little trees; it's meditative and actually fun to do
  • The combination of creamy, salty cheese with the crisp sweetness of grapes creates a flavor moment that's genuinely memorable
  • It transforms an ordinary cheese board into a conversation piece that feels intentional and festive without being fussy
02 -
  • Wet grapes will not cooperate—they'll slip and slide and frustrate you into rearranging them five times. Dry them thoroughly and your arrangement will hold together beautifully.
  • The knife matters more than you'd think. A dull blade will crush the cheese instead of slicing it, leaving you with rough edges instead of clean points. A sharp knife and a warm water rinse between slices change everything.
  • Cheese temperature is everything. Room temperature cheese becomes unpredictable; cold cheese gives you control. This is the lesson I learned by making every possible mistake first.
03 -
  • Warm your serving knife under hot water before slicing each triangle; it creates cleaner edges and makes the whole process feel more elegant and less like wrestling with cheese
  • If you're making this ahead, lay parchment paper between layers of sliced cheese before refrigerating so they don't stick together—your future self will be grateful
Return