Labyrinth of Nuts Cheese (Printable Version)

An artful maze of nuts and seeds culminating in a soft cheese center, ideal for sharing and parties.

# 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

→ 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

# How to Make:

01 - Lightly sketch a winding labyrinth path on a large serving platter or board using a pencil for optional precision.
02 - Arrange single-file lines of assorted nuts and seeds along the sketched paths, alternating varieties to enhance color and texture.
03 - Continue placing nuts and seeds until the labyrinth spirals or winds toward the center of the board.
04 - Position the soft-ripened cheese wheel in the center as the focal point of the presentation.
05 - Top the cheese with fresh herbs and drizzle with honey or agave syrup if desired.
06 - Fill any remaining empty areas with dried cranberries or cherries to add color and enhance flavor complexity.
07 - Serve using small forks or cocktail picks, inviting guests to navigate the labyrinth to reach the cheese.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a conversation starter that looks like you spent hours planning when you actually didn't.
  • Everyone finds their own way through the maze, so there's something genuinely fun about the presentation.
  • You can prep it hours ahead and guests stay entertained just navigating to the cheese.
02 -
  • Toast your seeds and nuts separately from the cheese—even a light five-minute toast at 350°F changes everything about their flavor and makes them taste fresher hours later.
  • Arrange everything on the board just before serving if possible; nuts and seeds can absorb board moisture over time and lose their crunch.
  • The pencil sketch underneath is optional—it can actually get smudged and dirty, so free-handing the spiral with your eyes is often cleaner.
03 -
  • Buy whole nuts and seeds in bulk if you can, then toast and store them in airtight containers—they taste fresher and the cost is half of pre-roasted varieties.
  • If you're nervous about the spiral, draw it on parchment paper first with a pen, then use it as a guide underneath your board or tape it temporarily to the surface before arranging.
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