Obsidian Peak Cheese Platter (Printable)

Bold black wax cheddar towers amid crackers and charcoal-coated almonds for an elegant cheese display.

# What you'll need:

→ Cheese

01 - 14 oz black wax-coated aged cheddar (block or wedge, whole and uncut)

→ Accompaniments

02 - 5.3 oz dark rye crackers
03 - 3.5 oz whole almonds
04 - 1 tablespoon food-grade activated charcoal powder
05 - 1 teaspoon flaky sea salt (optional, for almonds)

→ Garnish (optional)

06 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
07 - Edible black flowers (such as viola or pansy, optional)

# How to make it:

01 - Remove the black wax-coated cheddar from refrigeration and allow to reach room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes to enhance flavor.
02 - Place whole almonds in a small bowl. Sprinkle with food-grade activated charcoal powder and toss to coat evenly. Add flaky sea salt if desired.
03 - Place the whole block or wedge of black wax cheddar upright at the center of a large, flat serving platter to create a mountain peak effect.
04 - Arrange the dark rye crackers in a circular pattern around the cheese, forming the base of the peak.
05 - Scatter the charcoal-dusted almonds around the crackers, filling gaps to create visual contrast.
06 - Garnish the arrangement with fresh rosemary sprigs and, if using, edible black flowers for a striking finish.
07 - Present immediately, allowing guests to slice cheese from the peak and enjoy with crackers and almonds.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • It takes fifteen minutes but looks like you spent hours planning something theatrical.
  • The flavors are bold without being fussy—aged cheddar, toasted almonds, and those dark crackers actually complement each other instead of competing.
  • It's a conversation starter disguised as a cheese board.
02 -
  • The cheese's temperature matters more than you'd think—if it's cold, it'll shatter under a knife and taste astringent instead of rich and complex.
  • Food-grade activated charcoal is not the same as the kind used for drawing or purification; you must buy the food-grade version, and use restraint so the almonds taste like almonds with a hint of charcoal, not the other way around.
03 -
  • Chill your platter for five minutes before assembly—a cold surface keeps the cheese block more stable and makes the whole thing feel more polished.
  • Position the cheese off-center if you're feeling confident; perfect symmetry sometimes reads as forced, while a slight shift can feel more curated and less staged.
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