Save I'll never forget the year my sister came home from a cooking class with this incredible idea: a peppermint stripe platter that looked almost too beautiful to eat. She described it so vividly—those crisp alternating rows of red and white, like a giant candy cane that actually tasted delicious—that I knew I had to recreate it for our holiday party. The first time I arranged those rows on a wooden board, I felt like I was painting with food, and honestly, it became the dish everyone asked me to bring to every gathering after that.
I remember standing in my kitchen the night before our big New Year's Eve party, hands shaking with last-minute jitters, when I realized I could make this entire stunning platter the morning of and let it chill. My guests walked in, gasped audibly, and half of them didn't even want to disturb it to eat—it had become the centerpiece itself, not just the appetizer.
Ingredients
- Fresh mozzarella balls: 200g (ciliegine or bocconcini)—these are your white foundation, and because they're so delicate, they stay bright and creamy without any cooking, giving you that snowy stripe that makes the whole thing work
- White cheddar cheese, sliced: 200g—sharper than mozzarella and adds a richer flavor that balances the sweetness of the fruit beautifully
- Havarti cheese, sliced: 200g—this is the secret player here, it's buttery and slightly sweet, and it holds its shape better than you'd expect when arranged
- Sliced strawberries: 150g—choose ones that are ripe but still firm enough to slice cleanly without falling apart
- Raspberries: 150g—these little jewels catch the light and add an elegant textural contrast, plus their tartness cuts through the richness of the cheese
- Cherry or grape tomatoes, halved: 100g—yes, this is a savory element that makes people do a double-take, adding unexpected sophistication to your sweet-and-salty narrative
- Roasted red bell peppers, sliced: 100g—if you roast your own, you'll taste the difference, but jarred works beautifully in a pinch and saves you 20 minutes
- Thinly sliced salami: 150g (optional)—roll these into little roses if you're feeling fancy, they become part of the visual drama
- Prosciutto: 100g (optional)—this melts-on-your-tongue element is what makes people close their eyes and smile
- Water crackers: 150g—these stay crisp longer than most, and they don't compete with the other flavors, just give you something to build on
- Baguette slices: 100g—lightly toasted if you have time, they absorb flavors without getting soggy
- Fresh mint leaves: for decoration—this is what ties the whole peppermint theme together visually and aromatically
- Microgreens or edible flowers: (optional)—these are your secret finishing touch that makes guests think you went to culinary school
Instructions
- Choose your canvas:
- Grab your most beautiful large platter or wooden board—this is going to be the star of the show, so pick something that makes you happy when you look at it. If it's rectangular, even better, because stripes just sing on a rectangle.
- Start with confidence:
- Begin at one edge with your first row of white cheese—lay down mozzarella balls or cheddar slices right next to each other, creating that clean white stripe. Imagine you're painting a stripe, not just placing cheese.
- Bring in the red:
- Right next to your white stripe, arrange your first red element—sliced strawberries work beautifully here, and you'll see immediately why this platter earned its name. The contrast is almost shocking in the best way.
- Build your rhythm:
- Keep alternating between white and red elements, rotating through your ingredients so no two consecutive stripes use the exact same item. This is where the magic happens—white cheddar, then raspberries, then Havarti, then tomatoes. You're creating visual rhythm and flavor variation with every new row.
- Add texture and surprise:
- Between some of your striped rows, slip in a line of water crackers or baguette slices. These create little interruptions in the pattern that actually make the whole thing more interesting and give guests something to build their own bites with.
- Create those salami roses:
- If you're using salami, take a slice and roll it loosely, tucking one end into the roll so it looks like a tiny rose, then nestle these into your red stripes for that extra special touch.
- Crown it with mint:
- Once all your rows are arranged, scatter fresh mint leaves across the entire platter—this is your final moment to evoke that peppermint candy theme and add a fresh green that makes every other color pop.
- Finish and rest:
- Step back and look at what you've created. If it needs extra polish, add a few microgreens or edible flowers. Serve immediately for the crispest experience, or cover loosely and refrigerate for up to 2 hours—the flavors actually meld beautifully during that rest.
Save At my cousin's holiday brunch, I watched a four-year-old's eyes light up when she realized the platter actually tasted as good as it looked, and her grandmother came back for seconds three times, saying it was the most beautiful thing she'd ever eaten. That's when I realized this recipe isn't just about food—it's about creating a moment where everyone feels celebrated.
Making It Vegetarian (Or Vegan)
If you're serving vegetarians or vegans, this platter actually shines without the meats—just lean into the cheeses and double down on variety. Add marinated tofu cubes for protein, roasted chickpeas for crunch, or a vibrant red bell pepper hummus that you can dollop right on the board. Fresh figs, pomegranate seeds, or red grapes can replace strawberries if you want deeper flavor. The beauty of this recipe is that it's infinitely adaptable without losing an ounce of its visual impact.
Flavor Pairings That Make Sense
The genius of this platter is that every flavor combination works—the tartness of raspberries with buttery Havarti, the sweetness of strawberries with salty prosciutto, the earthiness of tomatoes with creamy mozzarella. But if you want to elevate it further, serve it alongside a light sparkling wine, a cranberry spritz, or even a crisp white wine. The acidity cuts through the richness perfectly, and suddenly you're not just serving an appetizer, you're orchestrating an entire tasting experience.
Timing and Storage Tips
The beauty of this recipe lies in its flexibility with your schedule. You can prepare all your ingredients the night before—sliced cheeses in containers, fruits in separate bowls, meats rolled and ready—then assemble everything in the morning. This takes the pressure off when guests are arriving and lets you enjoy the party instead of panicking in the kitchen. Just remember to keep everything cold until the moment you arrange it.
- Assemble no more than 2 hours before serving to keep crackers crisp and cheeses at their best
- If you must prep it earlier, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate, then add the fresh mint garnish right before serving
- Leftover arranged platter doesn't keep well, but individual components can be stored separately for a few days and rearranged if needed
Save Every time I make this platter, I'm reminded that the best meals are the ones that make people feel celebrated before they even take a bite. This is that recipe.
Kitchen Guide
- → How do I assemble the peppermint stripe platter?
Start by laying white cheese slices on the serving board, then alternate with rows of red fruits and vegetables, layering crackers and optional meats between for texture and visual appeal.
- → What cheeses work best for this platter?
Fresh mozzarella balls, white cheddar slices, and creamy Havarti complement the red accents while providing a balanced taste and texture.
- → Can this be prepared ahead of time?
Yes, assemble the platter and cover it, refrigerating for up to two hours before serving to maintain freshness.
- → Are there vegetarian alternatives included?
Omit the meats and add extra cheeses, marinated tofu, or red bell pepper hummus to keep the platter flavorful and suitable for vegetarians.
- → What garnishes enhance the peppermint theme?
Fresh mint leaves and optional microgreens or edible flowers add a refreshing touch and visual connection to peppermint candies.
- → Which beverages pair well with this platter?
Light sparkling wines or cranberry spritzers complement the fresh, savory, and sweet elements beautifully.