Layered Urban Skyline Stacks (Printable view)

Crisp crackers topped with cheese cubes and folded meats, styled like an urban skyline.

# What You 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, trimmed to various lengths
07 - 2 tablespoons pomegranate seeds (optional)

# How To Make:

01 - Position crackers vertically on a large rectangular serving platter, spacing them unevenly to create a city skyline effect.
02 - Place sharp cheddar and gouda cubes atop crackers at varying heights, alternating types for visual contrast.
03 - Fold salami and prosciutto slices into loose ribbons or rosettes and insert them between and on top of cheese stacks to build dimension.
04 - Stand fresh chives upright among the stacks to resemble antennae and spires.
05 - Garnish with pomegranate seeds for color accents, if desired.
06 - Present immediately, inviting guests to pull apart individual sections for easy sharing.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks intimidatingly sophisticated but takes just 20 minutes, which means you can actually pull it off on a busy evening
  • Everyone at the party will ask where you got it catered, and the truth is even better—you made it yourself
  • The beauty is that it tastes as good as it looks, with those perfect salty-savory bites that people can't stop reaching for
02 -
  • Moisture is your enemy here. If you assemble this more than 30 minutes before serving, the crackers start absorbing moisture from the cheese and meats and lose their snap. Always build close to serving time.
  • The crackers absolutely must be placed vertically, not at an angle. I learned this when I tried to be creative—leaning crackers make the whole thing feel unintentional rather than like the architectural statement it should be.
03 -
  • Cut your cheese and meats just before assembly to keep them fresh and prevent them from drying out or sweating under plastic wrap
  • If you're nervous about stacking, remember that the crackers are surprisingly sturdy—they'll hold more weight than you think, so build with confidence
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