Twelve Days Cheese Board (Printable)

A festive cheese board segmented into 12 distinct parts with unique cheeses and pairings, ideal for celebrations.

# What you need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 1.76 oz Brie
02 - 1.76 oz Aged Cheddar
03 - 1.76 oz Manchego
04 - 1.76 oz Roquefort or Blue Cheese
05 - 1.76 oz Goat Cheese
06 - 1.76 oz Gruyère
07 - 1.76 oz Camembert
08 - 1.76 oz Gouda
09 - 1.76 oz Comté
10 - 1.76 oz Pecorino
11 - 1.76 oz Havarti
12 - 1.76 oz Smoked Cheese (e.g., Smoked Provolone)

→ Pairings & Accompaniments

13 - 12 slices artisanal bread or assorted crackers
14 - 2 tbsp honey
15 - 2 tbsp fig jam
16 - 2 tbsp whole grain mustard
17 - 24 seedless grapes
18 - 12 dried apricots
19 - 12 walnut halves
20 - 12 toasted almonds
21 - 12 thin apple slices
22 - 12 slices fresh pear
23 - 12 pieces dark chocolate
24 - 12 cornichons
25 - Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary) for garnish

# Directions:

01 - Arrange a large serving board or platter and divide it into 12 distinct sections using small bowls, ramekins, or garnish lines.
02 - Place one type of cheese per section, cutting into bite-sized pieces as appropriate for easy serving.
03 - In each section, pair the cheese with its designated accompaniments, for example: Brie with honey and apple slice; Aged Cheddar with fig jam and walnut; Manchego with quince paste and almond; Roquefort with pear slice and walnut; Goat Cheese with thyme and grape; Gruyère with mustard and cornichon; Camembert with apple and almond; Gouda with dried apricot and chocolate; Comté with grape and walnut; Pecorino with pear and honey; Havarti with fig jam and almond; Smoked Cheese with cornichon and dark chocolate.
04 - Distribute crackers or bread slices evenly around the board, ensuring sufficient quantity for each section.
05 - Decorate the board with fresh herbs such as thyme and rosemary to enhance presentation and aroma.
06 - Present at room temperature to optimize flavor and texture.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that looks like you spent hours in the kitchen when it takes less than 40 minutes—the secret that changed my entertaining forever
  • Every guest finds their favorite because you're offering twelve completely different flavor journeys on one board
  • The structure takes the guesswork out of pairing; you're not wondering what goes with what, it's all thoughtfully done
  • It works for sophisticated dinner parties, casual holiday gatherings, or impressing people you really want to impress
02 -
  • Room temperature is non-negotiable—I learned this the hard way pulling a cold board straight from the fridge. The flavors were muted, almost shy. Twenty minutes at room temperature transforms everything into something bold and clear.
  • Cut your apples and pears immediately before serving or they'll brown and look tired. It's a small detail but it keeps the board looking fresh and intentional right up until the last piece is eaten.
  • Each person really does get one section—the 'twelve days' structure isn't just cute, it ensures everyone has a personal discovery journey rather than fighting over the same favorite pairing.
03 -
  • Invest in good cheese knives—they make cutting and presenting easier, and honestly, using a proper knife makes you feel like you know what you're doing even if you're winging it
  • If a cheese is too soft to cut, chill it for 10 minutes; if it's too hard to cut nicely, let it sit for 15 minutes at room temperature. Temperature controls texture more than anything else.
  • Buy your cheeses from a real cheese counter if possible—the people there know their inventory intimately and can recommend substitutions if something isn't in stock
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