Layered Urban Skyline Stack (Printable)

Stacked crackers, sharp cheddar, gouda, and folded salami create a bold urban-inspired appetizer.

# What you'll need:

→ Crackers

01 - 18 rectangular whole grain crackers

→ Cheeses

02 - 5.3 oz sharp cheddar, cut into 0.8-inch cubes
03 - 5.3 oz gouda, cut into 0.8-inch cubes

→ Meats

04 - 3.5 oz salami slices
05 - 3.5 oz prosciutto slices

→ Garnishes

06 - 12 fresh chives, cut to varied lengths
07 - 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)

# Preparation steps:

01 - Position the crackers vertically on a large, flat serving platter, spacing them unevenly to emulate a city skyline.
02 - Place cheese cubes on top of the crackers at different heights, alternating sharp cheddar and gouda to create color contrast.
03 - Fold salami and prosciutto slices into loose ribbons or rosettes, inserting them between and atop the cheese stacks to enhance the skyline effect.
04 - Insert fresh chives upright among the stacks to mimic antennae and spires.
05 - Sprinkle pomegranate seeds over the arrangement for colorful accents, if desired.
06 - Present immediately, encouraging guests to pull apart sections for convenient sharing.

# Expert advice:

01 -
  • It looks absolutely stunning and tastes even better, making you the hero of any gathering without spending hours in the kitchen
  • Zero cooking required means more time to enjoy your guests instead of being stuck at the stove
  • The mix of textures—crisp crackers, creamy cheese, silky meats—creates a flavor experience that keeps people coming back for more
02 -
  • Cut all your cheese cubes to exactly the same size before you start assembling. I learned this the hard way when uneven cubes threw off my entire balance and the towers kept toppling. Consistency in size makes the structure actually work
  • Arrange your platter just 30 minutes before serving, no more. The crackers begin to soften as humidity in the air and the moisture from the cheese starts to affect them. Last-minute assembly keeps everything crisp and crackling
03 -
  • The secret to this recipe being as visually striking as it is delicious is creating strong vertical lines with the crackers and chives. They anchor everything else and give structure to the composition
  • If you're worried about structural stability, lightly toast your crackers first—it firms them up just enough to support the weight of the cheese and meats without changing their flavor
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