Pin I'll never forget the afternoon I stumbled into a tiny lavender farm café in Provence, where the pastry chef casually assembled a cheese board that looked like it belonged in a dream. The colors were so soft and ethereal—lavender-tinged cheeses melting into purple grapes, delicate pink dragon fruit scattered like edible clouds. I sat there mesmerized, realizing that food could be art, and that sometimes the most magical moments at the table happen when you embrace whimsy and color instead of playing it safe.
I made this board for my sister's engagement party last spring, and watching everyone's faces light up when they saw those pastel colors arranged so deliberately across the slate platter made me realize how food transcends hunger. It became the centerpiece everyone photographed, the talking point of the evening, proof that sometimes beauty and flavor belong together.
Ingredients
- Lavender-infused goat cheese: This is your secret weapon—if you can't find it pre-made, buy regular goat cheese and fold in a pinch of culinary lavender yourself. The goat cheese acts as your flavor anchor, that floral note that makes guests say 'what is that?' in the best way
- Brie or triple cream cheese: The creamy, dreamy center that melts on your tongue and carries other flavors beautifully
- Creamy white feta: Adds texture and a slightly tangy counterpoint to the sweetness that's coming your way
- Purple grapes: Choose seedless so guests can pop them straight into their mouths without hesitation
- Fresh blueberries: They roll slightly and nestle into the gaps, creating pockets of tartness among the soft cheeses
- Pink dragon fruit: The star of the visual show—those tiny black seeds against hot pink flesh are what make people gasp
- Violet candies: These taste like childhood dreams and pure sugar, so a little goes a long way toward that whimsical feeling
- Turkish delight or rose-flavored marshmallows: Optional but magical—they add an unexpected sweetness that pairs gorgeously with cheese
- Pale crackers: Water crackers or rice crackers stay neutral so the cheese and fruit star the show
- Toasted almonds: Toast them yourself if possible; the warmth releases their oils and deepens the flavor
- Edible flowers: Lavender, pansies, or violets—make absolutely certain they're food-safe and unsprayed with chemicals
- Honey: A drizzle adds warmth and sweetness, especially lovely over the brie
Instructions
- Start with your anchor cheeses:
- Place your serving board in front of you—I prefer slate or wood because the contrast makes the pastels sing. Begin with the lavender goat cheese in soft, irregular clusters, like you're painting with cheese. Let it be imperfect. Then add your brie and feta in their own gentle groupings, leaving breathing room between them. You're not filling every inch; you're creating a landscape.
- Add the jewels of fruit:
- This is where it gets fun. Scatter your purple grapes loosely, then let blueberries nestle into the corners. As you place the pink dragon fruit, notice how it catches the light—this is intentional beauty. Step back and look. There should be moments of blank board peeking through, moments of abundance clustered together.
- Tuck in the whimsical surprises:
- Now add your violet candies and Turkish delight, tucking them among the cheeses like you're hiding little gifts for your guests to discover. They should feel unexpected, like pleasant surprises rather than strategic placement. These are the details that make people smile.
- Complete with texture and garnish:
- Add small piles of crackers and scattered almonds—the crunchy elements that balance all the creamy richness. Finally, scatter your edible flowers across the board like confetti. A light drizzle of honey over the brie is optional but transforms it into something transcendent.
- Present and serve:
- Step back and admire your work. This is meant to be experienced with the eyes first, the palate second. Serve immediately with small cheese knives so guests can craft their own flavor combinations.
Pin There's something about arranging food with intention that changes the entire experience of eating it. When my guests sat down to this board, they didn't just see cheese and fruit; they saw a moment I had taken time to create just for them. That's when I understood the real magic of cooking.
Building Your Color Palette
The secret to this board's ethereal quality is restraint with color. You're working in pastels—lavender purples, soft pinks, creamy whites, pale yellows from honey. Avoid bright colors that would break the spell. If you can't find pink dragon fruit, use pale cantaloupe or even white peaches. If the grapes seem too dark purple, use a mix of red and green. Think of it as painting a specific mood rather than throwing every color at the board.
Wine and Pairing Suggestions
A floral white wine transforms this board from beautiful to transcendent. Gewürztraminer brings its own lavender notes that echo the cheese. Moscato adds honey sweetness that plays against the tanginess of feta. Even a delicate Sauvignon Blanc works beautifully. The key is choosing wines with floral or fruit-forward characteristics rather than mineral, oak-heavy ones that would fight the gentle flavors you've assembled.
Making It Your Own
This board is more blueprint than rigid recipe. Swap the violet candies for rose macarons. Use white chocolate truffles instead of Turkish delight. Include a small dish of lavender honey for dipping. Replace some of the dragon fruit with thin slices of rose-shaped mozzarella. The only rule is maintaining that soft, dreamy color story and the lavender-forward flavor profile that makes this board unmistakably itself.
- Fresh edible flowers can wilt quickly, so add them just before serving unless you're confident in your flower's longevity
- If you're serving this for an event, prep all your cutting and arrangement an hour early, then refrigerate and add the fresh flowers just before guests arrive
- Remember that cheese tastes better at room temperature, so remove the board from the refrigerator about thirty minutes before serving
Pin This cheese board is proof that sometimes the most memorable meals are the ones assembled with care rather than cooked with effort. Make it when you want to tell your guests they're worth the beauty.
Recipe FAQ
- → How can I enhance the lavender flavor in the cheeses?
Mix a pinch of culinary lavender into plain goat cheese to intensify the floral notes without overpowering the creaminess.
- → What are good substitutes for violet candies and Turkish delights?
Consider white chocolate truffles or rose macarons as alternative sweet accents that maintain the pastel aesthetic.
- → Which drink pairs well with this cheese and fruit arrangement?
A floral white wine like Gewürztraminer or Moscato complements the delicate and fruity flavors of the board.
- → Are the edible flowers safe to consume?
Ensure all flowers used for garnish are edible, unsprayed, and sourced from trusted suppliers to avoid contaminants.
- → Can this board accommodate dietary restrictions?
This spread is vegetarian but contains dairy, nuts, and possible gluten, so check ingredient specifics for allergen management.