Fireside Comfort Cocoa Platter (Printable)

A rustic board combining aged cheeses, dark chocolates, fruits, nuts, and rich hot cocoa, ideal for cozy sharing moments.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cheeses

01 - 7 oz aged cheddar, cut into large, irregular chunks
02 - 5.3 oz aged gouda, broken into wedges
03 - 5.3 oz blue cheese, crumbled or chunked

→ Chocolate & Sweets

04 - 4.2 oz dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), broken into pieces
05 - 3.5 oz chocolate-covered almonds
06 - 2.8 oz chocolate-dipped dried figs
07 - 2.1 oz chocolate truffles

→ Accompaniments

08 - 1 small baguette, sliced
09 - 2.8 oz roasted walnuts or pecans
10 - 1 pear, sliced
11 - 1 apple, sliced
12 - 2 tbsp honey

→ Hot Cocoa

13 - 2 cups whole milk
14 - 3.5 oz dark chocolate, chopped
15 - 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
16 - 1 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
17 - Pinch of salt
18 - 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
19 - Whipped cream, for serving (optional)
20 - Shaved chocolate, for garnish (optional)

# Method:

01 - Place aged cheddar, gouda, and blue cheese on a large wooden board, keeping each piece rustic and irregular to create a hearty appearance.
02 - Cluster dark chocolate pieces, chocolate-covered almonds, chocolate-dipped figs, and truffles on the board to provide visual contrast.
03 - Arrange sliced baguette, roasted nuts, pear, and apple slices around the cheeses and chocolates. Provide honey in a small bowl for dipping.
04 - Heat milk in a saucepan over medium heat until steaming but not boiling. Add chopped dark chocolate, cocoa powder, sugar, and salt, whisking until smooth and chocolate has melted. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.
05 - Pour hot cocoa into mugs and optionally top with whipped cream and shaved chocolate.
06 - Serve the cheese and chocolate board alongside the hot cocoa for a comforting fireside experience.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It requires almost no cooking, just thoughtful arranging, so you can focus on being present with the people you're serving
  • The interplay between aged cheese and dark chocolate is genuinely surprising and addictive, like discovering a flavor you didn't know you were craving
  • It feels indulgent and special without any fussy technique or stress, perfect for those moments when you want to feel like you've done something impressive
02 -
  • The board doesn't need to be perfect the moment you set it out. I learned this the hard way by fussing endlessly with placement. What matters is that it looks generous and welcoming, and honestly, it gets more beautiful as people eat from it and create new gaps and patterns.
  • Slice your fruit as late as possible. I used to prepare everything an hour early and watched my apple slices go brown and sad. Now I slice apples and pears just before people arrive, and the difference in how inviting they look is worth the small bit of last-minute work.
  • Temperature contrast is everything in this dish. The hot cocoa beside the cool cheese and chocolate creates this rhythm that makes both taste better. Don't let the cocoa go lukewarm, and serve your cheese at cool room temperature, not cold from the fridge.
03 -
  • Buy your cheeses from a proper cheese counter if you can. Talk to the person behind it. Tell them you want aged varieties with personality. They'll guide you to things that are genuinely different from supermarket cheddar, and your board will taste noticeably better for it.
  • Keep your chocolate pieces different sizes. Variety in size and shape makes the board look abundant and inviting, and it gives people options. Some nights you want a small piece, some nights you want something substantial.
  • Arrange everything on your board about 20 minutes before guests arrive so you're not fussing in the moment. But keep the fruit separately and add it just as people are arriving, ensuring crispness and color.
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