Pin Last spring, I found myself standing in a specialty cheese shop, mesmerized by a wheel of lavender-coated goat cheese. The purple coating caught the light like twilight itself, and I knew immediately I had to build something around it. That afternoon, while arranging cheeses on my grandmother's marble board, I realized I wasn't just making a platter—I was creating an edible garden, soft and elegant, the kind of thing that makes people pause before they eat.
I made this for my sister's engagement party on a humid August evening, and something magical happened when the light hit the board just right. The ash-rinded brie seemed to glow silver against the purple goat cheese, and someone said it looked like the night sky. By the end of the evening, not a single grape remained, and three people asked for the recipe.
Ingredients
- Lavender-coated goat cheese (150 g), sliced into rounds: This is your statement ingredient—buy the prettiest one you can find, because it's doing most of the visual work here.
- Ash-rinded brie (200 g), cut into wedges: The creamy contrast to the tangy goat cheese, and it melts like butter on a cracker.
- Seedless red or black grapes (1 cup), halved: They add bursts of sweetness and keep everything from feeling too heavy.
- Fresh figs (1/2 cup), quartered: Use them when they're in season and tender; dried figs work fine in winter but won't have that jammy freshness.
- Candied walnuts or pecans (1/4 cup): The crunch that makes people reach for another bite, so don't skimp on these.
- Lavender honey or regular honey (2 tbsp): A drizzle that ties the whole flavor story together, especially over the goat cheese.
- Edible flowers—violets or pansies (1/2 cup): These aren't just decoration; they're a promise that someone cared about every detail.
- Fresh thyme sprigs: A green whisper that adds aromatics and breaks up the purple beautifully.
- Toasted baguette slices (from 1 small baguette): Toast them yourself so they're crispy and won't turn soggy under the cheese.
- Charcoal or black sesame crackers (1 packet): They're the dramatic darker note that makes the pastels pop.
Instructions
- Set your stage:
- Start with a clean, dry board—marble, slate, or wood all work beautifully. Arrange the lavender goat cheese and ash-rinded brie first, leaving breathing room between them because crowding makes everything look chaotic.
- Build with fruit:
- Cluster the grapes and figs in groups of three or four around the cheeses; your eye will naturally find them this way. Don't scatter them randomly, or the board will feel anxious instead of elegant.
- Add texture and richness:
- Tuck the candied nuts into the gaps, letting some hide partially under the fruit so people discover them. This little surprise is what transforms a platter into an experience.
- Drizzle with intention:
- Pour a small pool of lavender honey next to the goat cheese, then set a bowl of extra honey nearby so guests can add more. The honey is both flavor and visual drama here.
- Crown it with color:
- Scatter the edible flowers and thyme sprigs across the entire board in the last moment before serving, so they stay vibrant and don't wilt from sitting.
- Complete the picture:
- Arrange toasted baguette and crackers around the perimeter, standing them slightly upright so they look intentional, not like afterthoughts.
- Serve with confidence:
- Bring it straight to the table while it's still cool, and let guests build their own bites—that's where the magic really happens.
Pin I'll never forget the moment my brother, who usually eats cheese fries and calls it fancy, took a bite of the goat cheese with lavender honey and actually closed his eyes. That's the moment I understood this wasn't just pretty—it was the kind of thing that reminds people why they love food in the first place.
The Poetry of a Cheese Board
There's something about arranging food on a board that slows you down and makes you think like a painter instead of a cook. I started planning my boards differently after that engagement party, thinking less about what tastes good together and more about what tells a story when you look at it. This lavender theme isn't arbitrary—it's a whisper of luxury, a hint that someone understands the difference between feeding people and feeding their souls.
Flavor Pairing & Wine Suggestions
The floral notes in this board are subtle but unmistakable, so it needs a drink that echoes them rather than fighting them. A chilled Provence rosé is the obvious choice—it's what the colors on your board are already suggesting. If someone in your crowd doesn't drink rosé, a Gewürztraminer or even a late harvest Riesling will harmonize beautifully with the lavender and honey notes without overwhelming the delicate cheeses.
Making It Your Own
The beauty of this board is that it's a starting point, not a rulebook. I've made versions with purple endive leaves for extra crunch, added thinly sliced purple radishes for sharpness, and once substituted the candied nuts with toasted pistachios when someone mentioned they don't eat walnuts. The structure stays the same—soft cheeses, sweet fruit, honeyed drizzle, edible flowers—but the details are yours to play with.
- Keep edible flowers in the refrigerator until the last possible moment so they stay perky and photograph beautifully.
- If you're making this for a gluten-free guest, swap the baguette for gluten-free crackers and arrange them with the same care you'd give the regular ones.
- Prepare everything except the flowers and thyme in advance, then finish the board five minutes before guests arrive so nothing wilts and everything feels freshly made.
Pin This board has become my answer whenever someone asks what to bring to a gathering, because it says something without trying too hard. It's a moment of intentionality, wrapped in purple and honey, asking everyone at the table to slow down for just a minute.
Recipe FAQ
- → What cheeses are used in the Lavender Haze platter?
Lavender-coated goat cheese and ash-rinded brie form the centerpiece, providing soft textures and floral flavors.
- → Can I substitute the honey used in this board?
Yes, lavender honey enhances floral notes, but regular honey works well as a flavorful alternative.
- → Are there gluten-free options for the bread component?
Gluten-free crackers can replace the baguette and charcoal crackers to accommodate gluten-sensitive guests.
- → What garnishes add visual appeal to the board?
Edible flowers like violets or pansies and fresh thyme sprigs bring color and aromatic depth to the presentation.
- → How long does preparation take for this platter?
Preparation is quick, requiring approximately 15 minutes to arrange all components attractively.
- → What pairs well as a beverage with this board?
A chilled Provence rosé or floral white wines such as Gewürztraminer complement the floral and creamy elements.