Masquerade Mask Appetizer Platter (Printable)

A colorful platter artfully arranged with fresh vegetables, cheeses, and fruits in a masquerade mask style.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Base & Eye Openings

01 - 2 large green or black olives, pitted, or 2 small cubes firm cheese (cheddar or gouda)

→ Vegetables & Fruits

02 - 1 cup thinly sliced cucumber rounds
03 - 1 cup assorted bell pepper strips (red, yellow, orange)
04 - ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
05 - ½ cup thinly sliced red radishes
06 - ½ cup baby carrots, halved lengthwise
07 - ½ cup seedless grapes, red or green

→ Cheeses & Accompaniments

08 - 1 cup assorted cheese cubes (cheddar, gouda, Swiss)
09 - ½ cup mini mozzarella balls
10 - ½ cup mixed nuts (walnuts, almonds, pistachios)
11 - ¼ cup dried fruits (apricots, cranberries, figs)
12 - ½ cup crackers or breadsticks (optional)

→ Garnishes

13 - Fresh herbs (parsley, basil, dill)
14 - Edible flowers (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Select a large oval or rectangular serving board as the base for the arrangement.
02 - Position the two olives or cheese cubes near the top center of the board, spaced horizontally to form the mask’s eye openings.
03 - Fan out cucumber slices, bell pepper strips, and fruit in wide, symmetrical arcs around and above the eye openings, creating a feathered masquerade mask effect.
04 - Distribute assorted cheese cubes and mini mozzarella balls evenly among the vegetables and fruits for texture and color contrast.
05 - Nestle mixed nuts and dried fruit pieces into spaces to enhance flavor and visual interest.
06 - If desired, arrange crackers or breadsticks along the lower edges or sides of the board.
07 - Top the display with fresh herbs and edible flowers for a festive finishing touch and serve immediately.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when really, you've created pure magic in just twenty minutes—no cooking required, just beautiful arrangement.
  • Everyone becomes a participant in the celebration the moment they see it; there's something about a mask-shaped platter that invites playfulness and conversation.
  • You can adapt it endlessly based on what you have on hand or what guests prefer, making it flexible enough for any dietary need.
02 -
  • Prep your ingredients ahead of time—wash and slice everything, keeping items in separate bowls in the refrigerator—but do your actual arrangement within thirty minutes of serving. Fresh herbs and vegetables wilt, and crackers soften if exposed to the cool platter too long.
  • The arrangement matters more than perfect precision; a slightly imperfect mask still reads as intentional and artistic, while a perfectly geometric but boring arrangement loses the magic.
  • Temperature control is your secret weapon—keep the board in the coldest part of your refrigerator until the last moment, so vegetables stay crisp and cheese doesn't sweat.
03 -
  • Lay out your board with a very light misting of water before arranging (use a spray bottle)—it helps vegetables stay vibrant and gives everything a just-picked gleam.
  • Cut and prep everything the morning of your event, but arrange no more than forty minutes before serving; this is the perfect amount of time to let your hands find the rhythm of arrangement without stress.
  • The olives or cheese cubes are your map—if the eyes aren't perfect, the whole mask reads as confused, so spend an extra moment getting those positioned with intention.
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