Gilded Hive Cheese Board (Printable)

Hexagon-cut cheeses and crackers arranged around honeycomb for a striking appetizer presentation.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 3.5 oz Manchego cheese
02 - 3.5 oz aged cheddar
03 - 3.5 oz Gruyère
04 - 3.5 oz Brie
05 - 3.5 oz blue cheese
06 - 3.5 oz goat cheese log

→ Crackers

07 - 8.8 oz whole wheat crackers (large, square or rectangular)
08 - 8.8 oz seeded crackers

→ Honeycomb Center

09 - 3.5 oz edible honeycomb

→ Accompaniments

10 - 2 tbsp runny honey
11 - ½ cup Marcona almonds
12 - ½ cup dried apricots
13 - ½ cup fresh grapes
14 - Fresh edible flowers or microgreens (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Using a food-safe hexagon-shaped cutter approx. 2–3 inches wide, cut all cheeses into neat hexagon slices. Chill softer cheeses like Brie and goat cheese briefly before cutting for cleaner edges.
02 - Arrange crackers and carefully trim into hexagons using the same cutter. Select the best intact pieces for display as some may break.
03 - Position the honeycomb piece at the center of the serving board.
04 - Create a circular, radiating pattern around the honeycomb with cheese hexagons, alternating varieties for color and texture contrast.
05 - Form additional concentric rings or rays around the cheeses using the hexagon-shaped crackers.
06 - Distribute Marcona almonds, dried apricots, and fresh grapes to fill spaces, adding visual interest and flavor balance.
07 - Lightly drizzle runny honey around the honeycomb and cheeses to impart a glossy finish.
08 - Optionally decorate with fresh edible flowers or microgreens for enhanced elegance.
09 - Present immediately with cheese knives or spreaders for guest convenience.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours designing it, but the hexagon system actually makes assembly faster and more forgiving than a random spread.
  • Every slice of cheese tastes better when it's cut clean and sits at the same height as its neighbors—there's something about the repetition that feels luxurious.
  • Guests genuinely slow down and look before eating, which somehow makes the whole meal feel more intentional.
02 -
  • Always assemble this no more than 30 minutes before serving, or the cheeses will start to sweat and lose their clean definition.
  • If your cutter gets sticky, a quick rinse and dry between cuts makes the difference between smooth hexagons and jagged ones.
03 -
  • Keep your hexagon cutter in the freezer; a cold cutter glides through cheese more cleanly than a room-temperature one.
  • If you can't find edible honeycomb, a small jar of honey with the comb still attached (sold as comb honey) gives you both the visual and the flavor impact.
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