Southwest Mesa Cheese Stack (Print Version)

Stacked layers of crackers and cheeses with peppers and pumpkin seeds for a visually striking bite.

# What You’ll Need:

→ Crackers

01 - 24 assorted crackers (multigrain, wheat, rye, or seeded; varying shapes and sizes)

→ Cheeses

02 - 3.5 oz cheddar cheese, sliced
03 - 3.5 oz pepper jack cheese, sliced
04 - 3.5 oz Monterey Jack cheese, sliced
05 - 1.75 oz smoked gouda, sliced
06 - 1.75 oz blue cheese, cubed (optional)

→ Garnishes

07 - 1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
09 - 1 small jalapeño, thinly sliced (optional)
10 - 1 tablespoon toasted pumpkin seeds

# How to Make It:

01 - Slice cheeses slightly smaller than crackers to ensure neat stacking and visual appeal.
02 - On a large serving platter, alternate crackers and cheese slices in varying types and heights (3 to 7 layers) to resemble flat-topped rock formations.
03 - Use different cheese varieties within each stack for contrasting flavor and appearance.
04 - Insert bell pepper slices, cilantro leaves, and jalapeño slices between layers or on top of stacks to simulate vegetation and color.
05 - Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds around stack bases to create a desert floor effect.
06 - Serve immediately or cover loosely and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • They're stunning to look at and taste even better, which is the dream combination for any appetizer.
  • You can customize every layer based on what's in your fridge, so it never feels repetitive.
  • Zero cooking required means you can focus on the fun part—the creative stacking.
02 -
  • Bring your cheeses to room temperature before assembling—cold cheese is stiff and unforgiving, warm cheese melts into every crevice and tastes like it actually belongs together.
  • Don't slice your cheese too thin or it tears; too thick and your stacks become unwieldy monuments that topple with the first touch.
03 -
  • Toast your pumpkin seeds yourself if you have time—store-bought toasted seeds work fine, but homemade tastes like you actually cared, and people notice.
  • The blue cheese is optional for a reason; it's assertive enough to polarize a room, so know your audience before committing to it.
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