Layered Urban Skyline Appetizer (Printable)

Stacked cheeses, meats, and crackers create a stunning urban skyline presentation ideal for gatherings.

# Components:

→ Crackers

01 - 18 rectangular whole grain crackers

→ Cheeses

02 - 5.3 oz sharp cheddar, cut into 0.8 inch cubes
03 - 5.3 oz gouda, cut into 0.8 inch cubes

→ Meats

04 - 3.5 oz salami slices
05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto slices

→ Garnishes

06 - 12 fresh chives, cut to varying lengths
07 - 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)

# Directions:

01 - Place crackers vertically on a large rectangular platter, spacing them unevenly to resemble a city skyline.
02 - Layer cheese cubes atop crackers at varied heights, alternating between sharp cheddar and gouda to provide color contrast.
03 - Fold salami and prosciutto slices into loose ribbons or rosettes and insert them between and above the cheese stacks to enhance the skyline effect.
04 - Place fresh chives upright among the stacks to mimic antennae and spires.
05 - Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the arrangement for bursts of color, if desired.
06 - Present immediately and encourage guests to pull apart sections for easy sharing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • Zero cooking required—just assembly, which means you can make this while chatting with guests or preparing other dishes
  • The visual impact is undeniably impressive, making even the simplest ingredients feel like restaurant-quality presentation
  • It's incredibly forgiving and customizable, so you can swap meats and cheeses based on what you love or what you have on hand
  • Guests get to pull it apart and eat with their hands, turning it into an interactive, fun experience rather than a formal plated appetizer
02 -
  • Moisture is your enemy with crackers—assemble this as close to serving time as possible. If you make it more than 20 minutes ahead, the crackers can start to soften and lose their structural integrity, and your beautiful skyline might start to lean.
  • The size of your cheese cubes matters more than you'd think. Too small and they look scattered; too large and they become hard to eat. The 2 cm size is the sweet spot for both visual impact and bite-ability.
  • If your cheese cubes are sliding around on the crackers, you can stabilize them with a tiny dab of cream cheese on the bottom of each cube. It acts like architectural glue without changing the flavor.
03 -
  • Invest in a very sharp knife for cutting the cheese cubes evenly. Uneven cubes roll and won't stack properly, and a dull knife will crumble the cheese instead of giving you clean edges.
  • If you're nervous about the structure, arrange your crackers and cheese in a test run before guests arrive. Once you understand how your specific crackers and cheese cubes behave, you'll move through assembly with confidence.
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