Star of Bethlehem Cheese Platter

Featured in: Comfort Family Dinners

This elegant cheese platter is arranged in a star-shaped pattern featuring aged Manchego, creamy Brie, blue cheese, goat cheese, and smoked cheddar at its center. Fresh grapes, pear, apple slices, and dried figs complement the cheeses alongside pomegranate seeds for a festive touch. Bowls of honey and fig jam, accompanied by honey-roasted and marcona almonds, as well as baguette slices and crackers, complete the spread. Garnished with rosemary sprigs and edible flowers, it’s perfect for sharing at celebratory occasions or casual gatherings.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 15:34:00 GMT
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem Cheese Platter: a festive arrangement of cheeses, fruits, and nuts. Save to Pinterest
Beautiful Star of Bethlehem Cheese Platter: a festive arrangement of cheeses, fruits, and nuts. | frostkettle.com

An elegant and visually stunning cheese platter inspired by the Star of Bethlehem, featuring artisanal cheeses, fresh fruit, and gourmet accompaniments perfect for special occasions or festive gatherings.

This cheese platter has become my go-to for holiday entertaining, impressing guests with its star-shaped design and diverse flavors.

Ingredients

  • Cheeses: 150 g aged Manchego, 150 g creamy Brie, 150 g blue cheese (Gorgonzola or Roquefort), 150 g goat cheese log, 100 g smoked cheddar
  • Fresh Fruit: 1 small cluster red grapes, 1 small cluster green grapes, 1 ripe pear, sliced, 1 ripe apple, sliced, 1 small pomegranate, seeds only, 6 8 dried figs, halved
  • Accompaniments: 80 g honey roasted almonds, 80 g marcona almonds, 60 g honey, 60 g fig jam, 1 small baguette, sliced, 120 g assorted crackers
  • Garnishes: Fresh rosemary sprigs, Edible flowers (optional for decoration)

Instructions

Arrange Cheeses:
Arrange the cheeses in a star shaped pattern on a large wooden board or platter starting with the goat cheese as the center point.
Fan Cheeses:
Fan the Manchego Brie blue cheese and smoked cheddar around the center mimicking the rays of a star.
Fill Spaces:
Fill spaces between cheeses with clusters of grapes pear and apple slices and dried figs.
Sprinkle Seeds:
Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the fruit for a festive touch.
Nestle Bowls:
Nestle small bowls of honey and fig jam among the cheeses.
Add Accompaniments:
Add almonds and arrange baguette slices and crackers around the perimeter.
Garnish:
Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and edible flowers.
Serve:
Serve at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Vibrant Star of Bethlehem Cheese Platter featuring artisanal cheeses and fresh, colorful fruit slices. Save to Pinterest
Vibrant Star of Bethlehem Cheese Platter featuring artisanal cheeses and fresh, colorful fruit slices. | frostkettle.com

This platter brings my family together every holiday season, sparking conversation and delighting all ages with its festive look and flavors.

Notes

Pair with a crisp white wine or sparkling rosé for an elevated tasting experience. Use high quality ingredients for best results.

Required Tools

Large wooden board or platter, Small serving bowls, Cheese knives, Paring knife

Allergen Information

Contains Milk (cheese), Gluten (bread/crackers), Tree nuts (almonds). May contain traces of other allergens depending on cheese and cracker selection. Always check product labels.

Elegant Star of Bethlehem Cheese Platter, perfect for entertaining with gourmet cheese and crackers. Save to Pinterest
Elegant Star of Bethlehem Cheese Platter, perfect for entertaining with gourmet cheese and crackers. | frostkettle.com

This cheese platter is a showstopper that’s as delicious as it is beautiful to serve.

Recipe Questions & Answers

What cheeses are used in this platter?

It features aged Manchego, creamy Brie, blue cheese (Gorgonzola or Roquefort), goat cheese log, and smoked cheddar.

How is the platter arranged?

Cheeses are placed in a star pattern with goat cheese at the center, surrounded by other cheeses, fresh fruits, nuts, and garnishes.

Can I substitute the cheeses?

Yes, you can swap in your favorite local cheeses to customize the assortment.

Are there any accompaniments included?

Yes, honey-roasted almonds, marcona almonds, honey, fig jam, baguette slices, and assorted crackers are arranged around the cheese and fruit.

Is this suitable for vegetarians?

Yes, it contains dairy but no meat products, making it suitable for a vegetarian diet.

How should it be served for best flavor?

Serve at room temperature to fully enjoy the cheeses' flavors and textures.

Star of Bethlehem Cheese Platter

Visually stunning cheese board with artisanal cheeses, fresh fruit, honey, and nuts for special occasions.

Prep Duration
20 minutes
0
Overall Time
20 minutes
Created by Nora Whitman


Skill Level Easy

Cuisine International

Makes 8 Serving Size

Dietary Information Meatless

What You Need

Cheeses

01 5.3 oz aged Manchego
02 5.3 oz creamy Brie
03 5.3 oz blue cheese (Gorgonzola or Roquefort)
04 5.3 oz goat cheese log
05 3.5 oz smoked cheddar

Fresh Fruit

01 1 small cluster red grapes
02 1 small cluster green grapes
03 1 ripe pear, sliced
04 1 ripe apple, sliced
05 1 small pomegranate, seeds only
06 6–8 dried figs, halved

Accompaniments

01 2.8 oz honey-roasted almonds
02 2.8 oz Marcona almonds
03 2.1 oz honey
04 2.1 oz fig jam
05 1 small baguette, sliced
06 4.2 oz assorted crackers

Garnishes

01 Fresh rosemary sprigs
02 Edible flowers (optional)

How-To Steps

Step 01

Arrange cheeses: Position the goat cheese log at the center of a large wooden board or platter in a star shape.

Step 02

Build the star rays: Place the Manchego, Brie, blue cheese, and smoked cheddar around the goat cheese, fanning them outward to resemble star rays.

Step 03

Add fresh fruit: Fill the gaps between the cheeses with clusters of red and green grapes, slices of pear and apple, and halved dried figs.

Step 04

Decorate with pomegranate: Scatter pomegranate seeds over the fruit for a vibrant, festive appearance.

Step 05

Place accompaniments: Nestle small bowls of honey and fig jam among the cheeses for easy access.

Step 06

Add nuts and breads: Sprinkle honey-roasted and Marcona almonds around the arrangement, then border with baguette slices and assorted crackers.

Step 07

Final garnishing: Enhance presentation with fresh rosemary sprigs and optional edible flowers.

Step 08

Serve: Bring platter to room temperature before serving to optimize flavor and texture.

Tools You'll Need

  • Large wooden board or platter
  • Small serving bowls
  • Cheese knives
  • Paring knife

Allergy Info

Review every ingredient for allergens. Ask a healthcare professional if unsure.
  • Contains milk, gluten, and tree nuts
  • May contain traces of other allergens; check product labels carefully

Nutrition Details (Each Serving)

Given for informational purposes, this isn't medical advice.
  • Energy Value: 430
  • Fats: 27 g
  • Carbohydrates: 34 g
  • Proteins: 15 g