Save I'll never forget the holiday party when my aunt brought out a platter so visually stunning that everyone paused mid-conversation just to admire it. Red and white stripes of cheese, fruit, and cured meats caught the twinkling lights like a work of art—and then I realized it was actually inspired by peppermint candies. That moment, watching guests light up and reach for something so beautiful it felt almost too good to eat, is when I understood that the most impressive dishes are often the simplest to make. Now, whenever I need to impress without spending hours in the kitchen, this peppermint stripe celebration is my secret weapon.
I made this platter for a neighborhood holiday gathering last December, and what struck me most was how it became the centerpiece of conversation. People weren't just eating—they were noticing the thought behind each color choice, each ingredient placement. It reminded me that food is never just sustenance; it's how we show people they matter.
Ingredients
- Fresh mozzarella balls (200 g): These creamy, delicate spheres are the foundation of your white stripes. I use ciliegine when I can find them because they're sturdy enough to arrange but still deliver that soft, milky quality. Buy them the day before and let them sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before arranging—they'll be easier to position and taste richer.
- White cheddar cheese (200 g), sliced: Choose a good-quality white cheddar that isn't waxy. It holds its shape beautifully in rows and adds a subtle sharpness that balances the sweetness of berries. If you can find aged white cheddar, even better.
- Havarti cheese (200 g), sliced: This cheese is my secret weapon for texture—it's buttery and slightly sweet, which creates this wonderful harmony when placed next to tart raspberries. Don't skip it if you can find it.
- Sliced strawberries (150 g): Slice them lengthwise rather than across to get those beautiful red stripes. Do this just before assembling so they stay fresh and don't weep juice onto your white cheeses.
- Raspberries (150 g): These little jewels are fragile, so handle them gently. They add this sophisticated tartness that keeps the platter from feeling too sweet.
- Cherry or grape tomatoes (100 g), halved: Here's where the savory element sneaks in. The tomatoes cut through the richness of cheese and add a bright acidity. Choose firm ones that won't fall apart when you halve them.
- Roasted red bell peppers (100 g), sliced: Use jarred roasted peppers in oil—they're sweet, silky, and require zero effort. Pat them dry gently before arranging to prevent them from sliding around.
- Thinly sliced salami (150 g): This adds that smoky, salty note that makes people keep coming back. The thinness matters—ask your deli counter to slice it paper-thin. Roll the slices loosely into roses for visual drama.
- Prosciutto (100 g): Optional, but it adds an elegance that stretches your platter visually. The delicate, translucent quality creates a beautiful layering effect.
- Water crackers (150 g): Choose a neutral, sturdy cracker that won't crumble under the weight of toppings. They're the unsung heroes that give texture variation and let guests build little bites if they prefer.
- Baguette slices (100 g): Toast these lightly or serve them fresh—either way, they're your bread anchor. They're sturdier than crackers and bridge the gap between cheese and savory ingredients beautifully.
- Fresh mint leaves: This is non-negotiable. The mint is what transforms this from a beautiful charcuterie board into something distinctly peppermint-inspired. Choose bright green leaves and scatter them just before serving.
- Microgreens or edible flowers (optional): A tiny garnish that adds sophistication and freshness. Pansies and nasturtiums work beautifully with this color scheme.
Instructions
- Choose Your Canvas:
- Select a large rectangular or circular platter—I prefer rectangular because the stripes look more intentional. Make sure your surface is clean and dry. If you're worried about things sliding, you can use a wooden board or marble slab, which provide just enough grip.
- Lay Your First Foundation Row:
- Start at one edge with your white cheese. Arrange mozzarella balls in a single row, or lay down overlapping slices of white cheddar. This is your anchor. Take your time here—this first row sets the tone for everything that follows. You want to see the care you're putting into it.
- Add Your First Red Stripe:
- Next to your white row, create a bold stripe of red. Use strawberry slices laid slightly overlapping, or scatter raspberries in a line. This is where the peppermint candy effect starts to emerge. Step back and look at it—you're creating something special.
- Build Your Pattern:
- Continue alternating between white and red elements. After your strawberry stripe, try a row of Havarti cheese. Then follow with halved cherry tomatoes or roasted red peppers. Each row should be distinct enough that you can see where one ends and another begins. Think of it like painting—each color matters.
- Introduce Texture and Variety:
- Now it's time to play. Tuck in rows of water crackers between some stripes. Add a row of thinly sliced salami. If you're using prosciutto, fold or roll it gently into the red stripes. You're not just feeding people—you're creating an experience that engages multiple senses at once.
- Create Salami Roses (Optional):
- If you want to add a touch of artistry, take a salami slice and roll it loosely from one end, starting the roll from the center. It'll naturally form a rose shape. Tuck these into your red stripes. This detail won't go unnoticed.
- Finish With Mint:
- This is the final transformation. Scatter fresh mint leaves across the entire platter, letting them nestle between rows and on top of stripes. Suddenly, it goes from beautiful to unmistakably peppermint-themed. If using edible flowers, sprinkle them now too.
- Serve Fresh or Chill:
- Serve immediately while everything is at its peak—cheeses are creamy, berries are fresh, and the arrangement is immaculate. If you need to make it ahead, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and refrigerate for up to 2 hours. Remove it 15 minutes before serving so flavors can shine.
Save What I love most about this platter isn't just the eating—it's the moment before anyone touches it, when the whole room goes quiet because something so carefully arranged, so thoughtfully composed, deserves a moment of appreciation. That's when food becomes memory.
Personalizing Your Stripes
The beauty of this platter is that it's endlessly adaptable to what you have on hand and what your guests love. I've learned that rigid recipes stifle creativity, but a strong structural concept—the alternating stripes—gives you freedom to improvise within those lines. One December I swapped strawberries for pomegranate seeds and added white chocolate pieces. Another time, I added a row of whipped ricotta mixed with herbs between cheese rows, which added this unexpected creaminess. The framework stays the same; only the ingredients change. This flexibility is what makes it so perfect for holiday entertaining, where you're often working with whatever looks good at the market.
Vegetarian and Dietary Variations
If you're cooking for vegetarians or anyone avoiding meat, simply omit the salami and prosciutto and add more cheese varieties, or introduce new red elements. I've had great success adding marinated tofu that's been pressed and cut into thin strips, or making a quick red bell pepper hummus (roasted peppers blended with chickpeas and tahini) that you can spread onto crackers. The key is maintaining those stripes—the visual structure is what makes this special, not any particular ingredient. You could even lean into vegetables like thinly sliced red onions, roasted beets, or red radishes if you want to get creative. The platter never loses its impact; it just shifts its personality.
Why This Works for Gatherings
I've discovered that the most successful dishes at parties are ones that arrive fully formed and require no last-minute fussing. You can't be in the kitchen arranging a platter while your guests are arriving—you need to be in the room, present, welcoming. This platter is completely done before anyone arrives, which means you get to enjoy the gathering instead of stress about it. Plus, there's something psychologically satisfying about a composed, beautiful arrangement. People eat with their eyes first, and a platter like this tells them they're worth the care. That confidence translates into a better party. Make it, chill it if needed, and then forget about the kitchen for the rest of the night.
- Prepare all ingredients the morning of your gathering—slice cheeses, wash berries, toast bread. Arrange only in the final hour before guests arrive.
- If you're using the optional 2-hour chill window, cover the platter with plastic wrap so nothing dries out or absorbs odors from your fridge.
- Have serving utensils or small cocktail forks ready nearby—this is finger food, but giving people the option of using a fork often prevents hands from crushing delicate items.
Save Every time I make this platter, I'm reminded that the most impressive dishes don't require culinary school or complex techniques—just thoughtfulness, fresh ingredients, and the willingness to make something beautiful. That's worth celebrating.
Recipe Questions
- → What cheeses are used in the peppermint stripe platter?
The platter features fresh mozzarella balls, white cheddar slices, and Havarti cheese.
- → Can this platter be made vegetarian?
Yes, simply omit the meats and add extra cheeses or red bell pepper hummus for variety.
- → How do I arrange the ingredients for the stripe effect?
Alternate rows of white cheeses with red items like strawberries, raspberries, tomatoes, and roasted peppers to create distinct stripes.
- → What garnishes enhance the peppermint theme?
Fresh mint leaves and edible microgreens or flowers add a festive touch.
- → How long can the platter be prepared ahead of time?
It can be assembled and refrigerated for up to 2 hours before serving without compromising freshness.
- → Are there suggestions for beverage pairings?
Light sparkling wine or a cranberry spritz pairs beautifully with the fresh and savory flavors.