Cobblestone Courtyard Platter (Printable)

A charming platter of round crackers and olives styled like cobblestones, perfect for gatherings.

# What you need:

→ Crackers

01 - 36 to 40 round crackers (water crackers, multigrain, or rice crackers)

→ Olives

02 - 1 cup assorted pitted olives (Castelvetrano, Kalamata, black)

→ Garnishes (optional)

03 - 2 tablespoons chopped fresh herbs (parsley, thyme, or rosemary)
04 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta or goat cheese
05 - 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

# Directions:

01 - Select a large serving platter or charcuterie board to serve as the courtyard base.
02 - Place the round crackers closely together in a random overlapping pattern to resemble cobblestones.
03 - Insert assorted pitted olives snugly into the spaces between crackers to mimic mortar and add visual contrast.
04 - Sprinkle chopped fresh herbs and cheese crumbles evenly over the arrangement, if desired.
05 - Drizzle extra virgin olive oil lightly over the platter to enhance flavor and sheen.
06 - Present immediately for an interactive and visually appealing appetizer centerpiece.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks stunning on the table but takes just 10 minutes to pull together, which means you can actually enjoy your guests instead of hiding in the kitchen.
  • There's something magical about a platter where everyone grazes at their own pace—it feels communal and relaxed in a way that makes people linger.
02 -
  • Pit your olives yourself if you can—jarred pitted olives sometimes have a metallic aftertaste that brined whole olives don't, and it makes a real difference in how this tastes.
  • The crackers will soften slightly as they sit, especially if the room is warm, so assemble this as close to serving time as your schedule allows.
03 -
  • Bring this to a potluck and people will ask for the recipe, only to realize they could've thought of it themselves—but now they know you're someone who makes food feel special.
  • If you're serving this hours ahead of time, keep the olive oil and herbs in a small bowl nearby and add them just before guests arrive so everything looks freshly made.
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