Labyrinth of Nuts and Cheese (Print Version)

A striking arrangement of nuts and seeds spiraling toward a creamy cheese centerpiece, perfect for gatherings.

# Ingredient List:

→ Nuts

01 - 1.4 oz raw almonds
02 - 1.4 oz roasted cashews
03 - 1.4 oz shelled pistachios
04 - 1.4 oz pecan halves
05 - 1.4 oz hazelnuts

→ Seeds

06 - 1 oz pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
07 - 1 oz sunflower seeds
08 - 0.7 oz black sesame seeds
09 - 0.7 oz white sesame seeds
10 - 0.7 oz flaxseeds

→ The Prize Cheese

11 - 6.3 oz wheel of soft-ripened cheese (e.g., Brie, Camembert, or vegan alternative)

→ Optional Accents

12 - 2 tbsp dried cranberries or cherries
13 - 2 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary)
14 - 1 tbsp honey or agave syrup (for drizzling)

# Steps:

01 - Lightly draw a winding labyrinth on a large flat serving platter using a pencil for guidance, if desired.
02 - Place single-file lines of assorted nuts and seeds along the drawn lines, alternating types to provide color and texture contrast.
03 - Continue arranging the nuts and seeds to spiral or wind toward the center of the platter.
04 - Set the cheese wheel at the center of the platter as the focal point.
05 - Decorate the cheese with fresh herbs and drizzle with honey or agave syrup as desired.
06 - Scatter dried cranberries or cherries to fill any gaps, enhancing color and flavor.
07 - Provide small forks or cocktail picks for guests to navigate the labyrinth to the cheese.

# Helpful Hints:

01 -
  • It requires no cooking, making it perfect when your oven is already buried under other dishes.
  • Guests genuinely seem impressed before they even taste anything, which never gets old.
  • You can prep it 30 minutes before people arrive and it actually looks better as it sits.
02 -
  • Arrange nuts and seeds while they're still in small bowls—trying to grab and place them directly from the jar is chaotic and slow.
  • Do this no more than 30 minutes before serving or the whole board can start looking a bit sad as nuts settle and the cheese warms; timing is everything.
03 -
  • Toast any raw nuts lightly in a dry pan 2-3 minutes before serving if you want deeper flavor and better color contrast—just let them cool before arranging.
  • Use a large wooden board or marble slab rather than a small cheese board; the space makes the labyrinth feel grand and the design actually visible from a distance.
Go Back