Labyrinth of Nuts and Cheese (Printable)

A delightful nuts and seeds maze culminating in a soft cheese centerpiece for gatherings.

# What You Need:

→ Nuts

01 - 1.4 oz raw almonds
02 - 1.4 oz roasted cashews
03 - 1.4 oz shelled pistachios
04 - 1.4 oz pecan halves
05 - 1.4 oz hazelnuts

→ Seeds

06 - 1 oz pumpkin seeds (pepitas)
07 - 1 oz sunflower seeds
08 - 0.7 oz black sesame seeds
09 - 0.7 oz white sesame seeds
10 - 0.7 oz flaxseeds

→ Cheese

11 - 6.3 oz soft-ripened cheese wheel (e.g., Brie, Camembert, or vegan alternative)

→ Optional Accents

12 - 2 tbsp dried cranberries or cherries
13 - 2 tbsp fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary)
14 - 1 tbsp honey or agave syrup

# How-To Steps:

01 - Lightly draw a winding maze pattern on a large, flat serving board using a pencil to guide the arrangement.
02 - Place single-file lines of assorted nuts and seeds along the drawn paths, alternating types to create contrasting colors and textures.
03 - Continue lining the labyrinth until it spirals or winds toward the center of the board.
04 - Set the soft-ripened cheese wheel securely at the center as the focal prize.
05 - Decorate the cheese with fresh herbs and drizzle with honey or agave syrup, if desired.
06 - Scatter dried cranberries or cherries in any open areas for additional color and flavor.
07 - Provide small forks or cocktail picks and invite guests to navigate the labyrinth to reach the cheese center.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It feels impressive and intricate but takes only 25 minutes to assemble, making you look like a host who has everything under control.
  • Everyone finds their own path to the cheese—literally and figuratively—which somehow makes the eating more memorable and personal.
  • It's naturally gluten-free and vegetarian, so you're not scrambling at the last minute when someone mentions dietary needs.
02 -
  • Toast your nuts lightly if they've been sitting in your pantry for more than a month—it wakes them up and makes them taste fresher and more vivid.
  • Don't arrange this more than 2 hours before serving; nuts can start to soften and lose their crunch, especially in warm rooms or humid weather.
  • The pencil sketch sounds silly until you realize you've just saved yourself 10 minutes of second-guessing and created something actually symmetrical.
03 -
  • Buy your nuts and seeds from a bulk bin if possible; they're fresher, you can buy exactly what you need, and you save money—plus, you can taste before committing.
  • If your cheese starts to look dry at the edges after sitting out for a while, a final light drizzle of honey or a few more herb leaves revives it and looks intentional.
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