Peppermint Stripe Celebration

I'll never forget the moment my sister walked into the kitchen during a holiday party and gasped at the sight of the peppermint platter I'd just finished arranging. She said, 'It's almost too pretty to eat'—which, let's be honest, lasted about three minutes before everyone dove in. That was the day I realized that sometimes the most memorable dishes aren't about complex techniques or hours spent cooking; they're about creating something so visually stunning that it becomes part of the celebration itself. This peppermint stripe platter has since become my go-to for every festive gathering, and I've watched it transform ordinary moments into Instagram-worthy memories.

The first time I made this for a real crowd was during a holiday open house, and I remember standing back to admire it right before people arrived. My neighbor Margaret spotted it first and literally pulled out her phone, asking if she could post a photo. Within minutes, people were gathering around it, commenting on how festive it was, how it captured the spirit of peppermint candies they loved as kids. That's when I knew I'd stumbled onto something special—a platter that brings nostalgia, joy, and a little bit of magic to the table.

Ingredients

• Fresh mozzarella balls (200 g): These little orbs are the foundation of your white stripes. Look for ciliegine or bocconcini at your cheese counter—they have a tender, creamy quality that screams fresh. Pro tip I learned the hard way: buy them the day you're serving, and keep them cold until the last moment. They'll stay perfectly intact and give you those pristine white rows.
• White cheddar cheese, sliced (200 g): This adds a sharper note alongside the mild mozzarella. Ask the cheese counter to slice it about 1/8 inch thick—thick enough to hold its shape, thin enough to look elegant on the platter.
• Havarti cheese, sliced (200 g): If you can't find Havarti, mild gouda or young manchego work beautifully. This cheese is about adding a buttery richness to your white palette.
• Fresh strawberries, sliced (150 g): These are your star players in the red department. Choose ripe but still firm berries, and slice them just before assembling so they don't weep and create puddles. The contrast between the bright red and the white is what makes this platter sing.
• Raspberries (150 g): These delicate gems add jewel-like clusters to your red stripes. Handle them gently—they bruise if you look at them wrong—and add them last if you're worried about them getting crushed.
• Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved (100 g): These bring a savory element that bridges the gap between appetizer and main. Halve them right before serving to keep them fresh and to show off that gorgeous interior.
• Roasted red bell peppers, sliced (100 g): Store-bought jarred peppers work perfectly here and save you time. They add a sweet, silky texture to your red rows and photograph beautifully under any light.
• Salami, thinly sliced (150 g): Rolling these into little roses is optional but absolutely worth the 30 seconds it takes. It adds height and visual interest to your platter and gives your guests something elegant to grab.
• Prosciutto (100 g): Tear these into loose, casual pieces rather than folding them neatly. The irregular texture adds sophistication and a savory depth.
• Water crackers (150 g): Choose neutral, unflavored crackers so they don't compete with your beautiful ingredients. These work as both textural breaks between your cheese and fruit stripes and as vehicles for tasting combinations.
• Baguette slices (100 g): Lightly toast these right before assembling, then arrange them in a stripe or scattered throughout. They add a neutral base that lets your beautiful ingredients shine.
• Fresh mint leaves: Don't underestimate these humble garnish. They're what pull the entire 'peppermint' concept together and add a whisper of holiday magic.
• Microgreens or edible flowers (optional): These are the grace notes at the end. They add texture and a refined touch that makes people pause and appreciate the care you've taken.

Instructions

Choose your canvas:

Select a large rectangular or circular platter—I prefer rectangular because the stripes look more intentional and dramatic. Make sure it's clean and completely dry. If you're nervous about things sliding around, you can place a damp paper towel under the platter to keep it from moving as you work.

Start with white:

Beginning at one edge, lay down your first stripe. Arrange mozzarella balls in a tight, beautiful line, or overlap your white cheddar slices slightly so they cascade like shingles on a roof. Take your time here—this first stripe sets the tone for everything that follows. Step back and look at it. Does it feel balanced? Does it feel like the beginning of something beautiful?

Add the red drama:

Next comes a stripe of your reds. Layer strawberry slices, then raspberries, then maybe some roasted red pepper to create depth and variation within this stripe. The goal is for each stripe to feel alive with texture and color, not flat and monotonous. These reds are what catch the eye and make the whole thing feel festive.

Build your rhythm:

Now keep alternating—another white stripe, another red stripe. As you work, you're establishing a pattern that your eye finds satisfying. Use your different white cheeses to keep the white stripes from looking identical. In one stripe, do mozzarella balls. In the next, do overlapped cheddar. This keeps people visually engaged as they scan across the platter.

Introduce texture and savory notes:

Insert a stripe of water crackers or baguette slices, or scatter salami roses and prosciutto throughout the red stripes. This is where the platter becomes not just beautiful, but delicious. These elements break up the fruit and cheese monotony and give your guests more reasons to keep coming back.

Create salami roses (optional but worth it):

If you're feeling fancy, take each salami slice and roll it loosely into a rose shape. Tuck these into your red stripes where they add height and a touch of sophistication. They're easier to do than you'd think and make such a visual impact.

The grand finish:

Scatter fresh mint leaves across the entire platter, then sprinkle any microgreens or edible flowers over the top. Step back and look at what you've created. Is it festive? Does it capture that peppermint candy magic? If something feels off, adjust it. There's no rulebook here—trust your eye.

Timing is everything:

Serve immediately for maximum freshness, or cover loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. I've found that if I'm assembling more than 30 minutes before guests arrive, the berries start to soften and weep, so plan your timing accordingly. Everything should taste as fresh as it looks.

Save

I remember one holiday party where a little girl stood in front of this platter for what felt like five minutes, studying it intensely. Her mom finally asked what she was doing, and she said, 'It's so perfect, I want to remember what it looks like before I eat it.' That's when I realized this platter is about more than just feeding people—it's about creating a moment of joy, a pause before the eating begins, a celebration made edible.

Making It Your Own

The beauty of this platter is that it's not precious or rigid. If you can't find Havarti, use gouda. If raspberries are expensive, load up on strawberries. If you don't have roasted red peppers, use fresh ones or skip them entirely. The structure—alternating red and white stripes—is what makes it work. Everything else is just your personal touch. I've made this platter a dozen different ways depending on what was available at the farmer's market or what my guests needed. Once you understand the basic concept, you can improvise endlessly.

The Vegetarian Question

Not everyone eats meat, and honestly, this platter doesn't need it. The salami and prosciutto are beautiful additions, but they're not essential to the magic. When I'm serving vegetarians, I simply create more generous white and red stripes, add marinated tofu cubes if I'm feeling ambitious, or offer a red bell pepper hummus on the side for dipping. Some of my favorite iterations have been completely vegetarian, and no one missed the meat because there's so much visual interest and flavor going on.

Wine Pairings and Serving Suggestions

Serve this platter with a light sparkling wine or a cranberry spritz—something refreshing and festive that doesn't overpower the delicate flavors of the cheese and fruit. The bubbles feel celebratory, and the acidity cuts through the richness of the cheese beautifully. I've also served it alongside a creamy brie and fig jam, which transforms it from an appetizer into a full cheese course experience. The mint garnish hints at holiday cocktails, so consider pairing it with peppermint bark-inspired drinks if you're feeling creative.

• A dry sparkling wine or Prosecco complements the fresh fruit and creamy cheeses without competing for attention
• If you want something non-alcoholic, cranberry spritz or sparkling apple cider captures that festive holiday feeling
• Serve at room temperature for the cheeses to shine, but keep the fruit cool by assembling just before serving

Save

Every time I make this platter, I'm reminded that the best entertaining is about creating moments, not stressing over complexity. This is a dish that looks like you've spent hours perfecting it, but the truth is far simpler and more joyful—you've just arranged beautiful things in an intentional way and let them speak for themselves.

Recipe FAQs

→ What cheeses are used in the peppermint stripe platter?

Fresh mozzarella balls, white cheddar cheese slices, and Havarti cheese slices create the creamy white layers.

→ Can I make this platter vegetarian?

Yes, simply omit the salami and prosciutto, and consider adding extra cheeses, marinated tofu, or red bell pepper hummus for variety.

→ How should I arrange the ingredients?

Alternate rows of white cheeses and red ingredients like strawberries, raspberries, and tomatoes for a striking striped effect.

→ What garnishes complement this platter?

Fresh mint leaves add a refreshing touch and enhance the peppermint theme visually and aromatically.

→ How long can this platter be prepared ahead?

It can be assembled and refrigerated for up to two hours before serving to maintain freshness.

→ Are there suggestions for alternate red ingredients?

Pomegranate seeds or red grapes can be swapped in for a different sweet and tart flavor profile.