Prep time: 15 minutes
Serves: 1 solo snacker, or up to 4 if sharing
Keywords: cheese wreath, Christmas platter, festive grazing board, summer entertaining, Plan4One Christmas recipes
🎄 Introduction: Fancy Looks, Lazy Effort
You know those Christmas platters that make everyone ooh and ahh before they even take a bite? This is one of them. The Festive Cheese & Fruit Wreath looks like something you’d see in a glossy magazine spread — but the secret is, it takes about 10 minutes to put together.
It’s my go-to when I want to bring something that says “Yes, I’m classy, but I also like cheese.” Perfect for a summer Christmas lunch, small gathering, or a solo night in with a glass of wine and a Christmas movie (no judgement — I’ve done it).
It’s light, colourful, and endlessly customisable — plus, it uses ingredients you can easily find at any Aussie supermarket.
🧀 What You’ll Need
🧀 Cheese Selection
- Wedge of brie or camembert (for creaminess)
- Cubes of vintage cheddar (for bite)
- Small chunks of blue cheese or goat cheese (optional for variety)
🍇 Fruits & Colour
- Red and green grapes
- Strawberries or raspberries
- Pomegranate seeds (for that festive sparkle)
- A few slices of kiwi or pear
- Fresh rosemary sprigs (for the “wreath” effect)
🥜 Extras
- Mixed nuts (almonds, pistachios, or pecans)
- Crackers or breadsticks on the side
- Drizzle of honey or small bowl of fig jam
🍽️ How to Assemble
- Pick your platter:
A large round board or plate works best — this is your wreath base. - Shape the wreath:
Start by arranging your cheese pieces in a circle, leaving a hole in the centre. You can alternate soft and hard cheeses for contrast. - Add fruit:
Tuck clusters of grapes, slices of kiwi, and bright berries between the cheeses. Scatter a few pomegranate seeds for sparkle. - Layer in extras:
Add mixed nuts in the gaps and a few sprigs of rosemary around the circle. The rosemary not only looks like festive greenery but smells amazing too. - Finishing touches:
Drizzle a little honey over the brie, or place a tiny bowl of jam in the middle. Serve with crackers or breadsticks on the side.
💡 Tips from My Kitchen
- Mini magic: Making this just for yourself? Use a small dinner plate and half portions — it still looks gorgeous.
- Seasonal swap: Swap pomegranate for diced mango or cherries for a summery Aussie twist.
- The heat trick: Serve your cheeses slightly chilled — if they get too warm, they’ll lose their shape faster than your willpower near dessert.
- Budget-friendly hack: Buy one small wedge of fancy cheese and pad it out with supermarket cheddar and seasonal fruit.
🧊 Storage
- Before serving: Keep all components refrigerated, then assemble just before heading out or serving.
- Afterwards: Store leftover cheese in separate airtight containers with baking paper between slices — it’ll last up to 5 days.
- Pro tip: Leftover fruit and nuts make a great next-day breakfast with yoghurt or oats.
🎁 Gifting or Group Idea
If you’re heading to a Christmas BBQ or lunch, make this platter and add a tag that says:
“Guaranteed to disappear faster than Uncle Barry’s stories.”
For solo gifters — make a Mini Cheese Wreath Jar: layer cubed cheese, grapes, and nuts in a small jar, add a rosemary sprig, and tie it up with ribbon. It’s adorable, personal, and perfect for neighbours or workmates.
❤️ Why I Love This Recipe
It’s low effort, high impact. It looks festive, tastes incredible, and there’s something deeply satisfying about casually plonking down a platter that looks like art — especially when you know you assembled it in your pyjamas while singing to Mariah Carey.
✨ Call to Action
If you make your own Festive Cheese & Fruit Wreath, show it off!
Tag @Plan4One or use #Plan4OneChristmas — I’d love to see how you make it your own.
And don’t miss the next in our Plan4One Christmas Platters Series: The Mediterranean Antipasto Board — bold, bright, and ready for a chilled Christmas lunch.
