Artistic Sundial Cheese Platter (Print View)

An elegant cheese centerpiece with aged cheese, nut clusters, and a balsamic glaze accent for entertaining.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Cheese

01 - 1 thick wedge (about 5.3 oz) aged hard cheese (e.g., Parmigiano-Reggiano, aged Gouda, or Manchego)

→ Balsamic Glaze

02 - 3 tbsp high-quality balsamic glaze

→ Nut Clusters

03 - 1/3 cup roasted almonds
04 - 1/3 cup roasted walnuts
05 - 1/3 cup roasted pecans
06 - 1/3 cup roasted hazelnuts
07 - 2 tbsp dried cranberries (optional, for color)

→ Garnishes

08 - Fresh grapes or figs (optional)
09 - Edible flowers or microgreens (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place the wedge of hard cheese upright in the center of a large round serving platter, with the pointed end facing outward like a sundial gnomon.
02 - Using a spoon, carefully drizzle a thick line of balsamic glaze extending outward from the cheese wedge to mimic a sundial shadow.
03 - Arrange 12 small clusters of mixed nuts evenly around the cheese, forming a circle to represent the hours on a clock face. Incorporate dried cranberries with some clusters for added visual accent.
04 - (Optional) Garnish the platter with fresh grapes, figs, or edible flowers to enhance color and elegance.
05 - Serve with cocktail picks or small forks to facilitate easy sharing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • No cooking required, but it looks like you spent hours in the kitchen.
  • It's the kind of platter that makes people pause and actually look at what they're eating before they dig in.
  • You can prep it in fifteen minutes while still wearing whatever you had on all day.
02 -
  • Balsamic glaze has to be thick and sticky to hold its shape on the platter—thin balsamic vinegar will just run everywhere and ruin your shadow effect.
  • Let the cheese come to room temperature for a few minutes before arranging so it doesn't shift or topple once you've placed it.
03 -
  • Use a large round platter—it gives you actual room to work and makes the whole arrangement feel more intentional.
  • Prep your nut clusters in small bowls first before arranging, so you're not fumbling with them once the cheese and balsamic are already positioned.
Go Back