Peppermint Stripe Celebration (Print Version)

Festive holiday platter with alternating red and white layers of cheese, fruits, and savory bites.

# Ingredient List:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz fresh mozzarella balls (ciliegine or bocconcini)
02 - 7 oz white cheddar cheese, sliced
03 - 7 oz Havarti cheese, sliced

→ Red Accents

04 - 5.3 oz sliced strawberries
05 - 5.3 oz raspberries
06 - 3.5 oz cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
07 - 3.5 oz roasted red bell peppers, sliced

→ Savory Meats (optional)

08 - 5.3 oz thinly sliced salami
09 - 3.5 oz prosciutto

→ Crackers & Bread

10 - 5.3 oz water crackers
11 - 3.5 oz baguette slices

→ Garnishes

12 - Fresh mint leaves, for decoration
13 - Microgreens or edible flowers (optional)

# Recipe Steps:

01 - Select a large rectangular or circular serving platter as the foundation.
02 - Place a row of white cheese, using mozzarella balls or cheddar slices, along one edge of the platter.
03 - Create a subsequent row of red elements such as sliced strawberries or raspberries adjacent to the cheese.
04 - Continue layering alternating rows of white and red components, incorporating cheeses, tomatoes, roasted peppers, and optional meats to form distinctive stripes.
05 - Integrate rows of water crackers and baguette slices between striped sections to enhance variety and texture.
06 - Roll salami slices into rose shapes and nestle them within red rows if using.
07 - Decorate the platter with fresh mint leaves to emphasize the peppermint motif.
08 - Serve immediately or cover and refrigerate for up to two hours before serving.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's a showstopper that requires zero cooking—just beautiful arranging and about 25 minutes of your time, which means you can actually enjoy the party instead of being stuck in the kitchen
  • The alternating red and white stripes are so visually stunning that your guests will think you spent hours on it, but the secret is in the simplicity of the design
  • It's endlessly customizable depending on what you have on hand, so you can make it feel completely your own while keeping that iconic peppermint look
  • Everyone—from your vegetarian friends to your meat-loving relatives—finds something they love on this platter
02 -
  • Pat your strawberries and raspberries completely dry before slicing—any moisture will cause them to slide around on the platter and look messy instead of intentional. I learned this the hard way when my beautiful stripes started migrating across the board within 10 minutes.
  • Buy your mozzarella balls the day you're serving, not days ahead. They lose their delicate texture as they sit. Similarly, keep everything as cold as possible until the last moment—a cold platter looks crisp and fresh, while a warm one looks limp.
  • The key to this platter looking intentional rather than random is commitment to the stripe pattern. Don't be tempted to scatter things around for 'visual interest'—the magic is in the organized geometry of the stripes themselves.
03 -
  • Use a slightly damp kitchen towel under your platter to keep it from sliding around as you arrange—this small detail makes the whole process feel more controlled and intentional
  • Slice everything to roughly the same thickness so your stripes feel cohesive and intentional rather than haphazard. A mandoline is your friend here if you have one.
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