Save I discovered this idea on a quiet afternoon when my neighbor was struggling to arrange a cheese board that felt special enough for her architecture student son's birthday. We stood in her kitchen, staring at a pile of good cheese blocks, and she joked that we should literally build something with them. Ten minutes later, we had the first wobbly Eiffel Tower standing on a platter, and I couldn't stop laughing at how ridiculously charming it looked.
Last summer, I made this for a housewarming party where the hosts had just moved to New York, and watching guests recognize the Empire State Building carved into Gruyère and actually light up was worth every careful knife stroke. Someone brought it up months later as the most unexpectedly delightful thing at that party, which tells you something about how a little creativity and cheese can linger in people's minds.
Ingredients
- Sharp cheddar, block (120 g): The mild sharpness keeps the flavor interesting without overwhelming, and it holds its shape well under the knife, making detailed cuts possible.
- Gruyère, block (120 g): This one has a slight sweetness that balances the saltier cheeses and creates beautiful contrast when placed next to paler varieties.
- Emmental, block (120 g): The buttery texture is forgiving to work with, and it feels luxurious without being pretentious.
- Havarti, block (120 g): Creamy and mild, it provides visual warmth among the more yellow-toned cheeses and rounds out the flavor profile.
- Gouda, block (120 g): Rich and slightly caramel-toned, it becomes the anchor color of your skyline and adds depth.
- Seedless grapes, 1 small bunch: Washed and left whole, they nestle between buildings like little parks scattered through the city.
- Apple, 1 small, sliced: The tartness and crisp texture offer relief between bites of cheese and add another visual layer of pale cream tones.
- Pear, 1 small, sliced: Slightly sweet and soft, pear pairs so naturally with cheese that it feels like a given, yet people always seem surprised by it.
- Assorted crackers, 12–16: Choose a mix of textures and shapes; thinner ones let the cheese shine, while heartier ones stand up to the richer varieties.
- Honey or fig jam, 2 tbsp: A small ramekin on the side offers guests a touch of sweetness to drizzle or dip, which feels generous without being heavy-handed.
Instructions
- Chill and prepare your canvas:
- Pop your cheese blocks in the fridge for 15–20 minutes so they become firm and cooperative under the knife. Cold cheese slices cleanly without crumbling or smearing, which makes all the difference when you're carving details.
- Slice into vertical planks:
- Using a sharp chef's knife, cut each cheese block into vertical slices about 1 cm thick, running parallel to the longer edge of the block. The thickness matters because too thin and they flop over, too thick and the buildings look blocky and crude.
- Sketch and carve your buildings:
- Using a paring knife, carefully carve or cut the silhouette of famous buildings into each slice. You can freehand iconic shapes like the Eiffel Tower or Big Ben, or trace a paper template underneath as a guide for steadier hands. Small cookie cutters can also help define clean arches and rectangular windows.
- Arrange your skyline:
- Stand each carved cheese slice upright on your large platter so they create a miniature cityscape. Play with height and depth, letting some buildings lean slightly or group closer together for visual interest and structural support.
- Add the greenery and streets:
- Tuck fruit slices and whole grapes around the base of your buildings, creating a scene of parks and paths below the skyline. The colors and textures fill in the empty spaces and keep the eye moving across the platter.
- Set out the accompaniments:
- Arrange crackers nearby in a loose cluster and place a small ramekin of honey or fig jam somewhere accessible but not competing for attention with your cheese buildings.
Save There's something quietly satisfying about the moment you step back and see your skyline complete for the first time, knowing that what's standing before you started as blocks of ordinary cheese. It stops being a snack and becomes an edible art project that somehow makes people feel like you went through some elaborate effort, even though it was mostly just you, a paring knife, and 20 focused minutes.
Building Your Vision: Cheese Selection Matters
I learned early on that it's not just about using any five cheeses; it's about creating a palette that photographs well and tastes balanced. The sharper cheddar gives you clean lines when carved, while the Gruyère and Gouda bring warmer, honeyed tones that make your skyline feel golden under light. Emmental and Havarti fill the gaps with their creamy sweetness, so each bite across your city is a small flavor journey rather than repetitive funk.
Carving Techniques: When Template Meets Creativity
The first time I freehanded the Empire State Building, it looked more like a leaning tower, and I laughed so hard I nearly dropped the knife. Now I've learned that tracing a paper template underneath the cheese slice gives you a guide without the pressure of pure freehand perfection. Small cookie cutters work beautifully for the repetitive elements like windows, and a steady paring knife handles the diagonal cuts that give buildings their distinctive angles.
The Science of Presentation and Pairing
There's genuine thought behind how you arrange the skyline beyond just making it look pretty; you're creating a landscape that invites people to move around the platter and discover different combinations. I've noticed that interspersing fruit between buildings breaks up the monotony and gives guests natural pause points to rest between cheese bites. The honey or fig jam in a small ramekin becomes an invitation rather than an afterthought, letting people drizzle just enough sweetness to balance a sharp cheese or add richness to a milder one.
- Chill everything before serving so your buildings stay firm and your fruit stays crisp, never wilted or weeping.
- Serve within an hour of arranging so the platter maintains its visual impact and the cheeses haven't warmed to the point of softness.
- If you're building this for a party, prep your cheese slices and carvings a few hours ahead, but arrange the final skyline just before guests arrive.
Save This dish isn't really about impressing people with your culinary skill; it's about taking a moment to make something ordinary feel like an occasion. Every time I set this platter down, I remember why I love cooking for others.
Recipe Help
- → How do I shape the cheese slices into building silhouettes?
Use a sharp knife or small cookie cutters with a paper template to carefully cut each cheese block into vertical pieces mimicking iconic buildings.
- → Which cheeses work best for this presentation?
Sharp cheddar, Gruyère, Emmental, Havarti, and Gouda blocks are ideal for firm slicing and vibrant color contrasts.
- → Can this platter accommodate dietary restrictions?
This setup is vegetarian and can be made gluten-free by choosing appropriate crackers; always check ingredient labels to avoid allergens.
- → What accompaniments pair well with this cheese arrangement?
Fresh grapes, sliced apples and pears, gluten-free crackers, and a dip of honey or fig jam enhance flavors and textures beautifully.
- → Any tips to make slicing easier?
Chill the cheese blocks for 15–20 minutes prior to slicing to achieve cleaner, more precise cuts.