Save The first time I assembled a cheese board that made someone actually pause mid-conversation was the day I stopped overthinking it. I'd spent years arranging boards like I was decorating a museum exhibit, worried about balance and symmetry, when really what mattered was creating something that felt like a small celebration. This one came together almost by accident on a summer afternoon when I had beautiful white peaches, creamy brie, and these ethereal meringues I'd baked the day before. I added a whisper of silver leaf and suddenly the whole thing glowed like something you'd see at a fancy hotel, but tasted like summer in your mouth.
I made this for my sister's small engagement party, and I remember her picking up a meringue that had caught the light just right, examining it like it was jewelry. She said it felt too pretty to eat, which made me laugh because that's when you know you've gotten it right, that moment of hesitation before deliciousness wins out. We sat in the garden with Prosecco that afternoon, and this board became the backdrop to about three hours of easy conversation.
Ingredients
- Brie cheese: Choose a wheel or generous wedge and keep it cold until the last moment, because soft cheese spreads beautifully when it's just starting to soften from room temperature, creating those inviting creamy patches people can't resist.
- White peaches: Ripe ones matter enormously here; they should smell fragrant and yield slightly to pressure, and slicing them thin means they'll show off their delicate flesh and juices.
- Meringue kisses or nests: These are the magic element that transforms a nice board into something memorable, and honestly, store-bought saves you an hour of oven watching without any shame.
- Edible silver leaf: A small amount goes incredibly far, and applying it with tweezers feels fussy but takes about two minutes and creates an impact that people comment on immediately.
- White grapes and blanched almonds: These are optional but useful for filling gaps and adding textural contrast, though the board is perfectly complete without them.
Instructions
- Make or gather your meringues:
- If baking from scratch, preheat your oven to a gentle 90°C and beat egg whites with superfine sugar and cream of tartar until they form stiff peaks that stand straight up. Pipe or spoon small mounds onto parchment paper and let them bake low and slow for a full hour until they're completely crisp and pale, then cool them completely before touching them.
- Arrange the brie:
- Place your chilled wheel or wedge slightly off-center on your board, leaving room for the other elements to breathe around it.
- Fan the peaches:
- Slice your white peaches thinly and arrange them in gentle, overlapping arcs that spiral out from or around the brie, letting their natural color and texture become part of the visual story.
- Cluster the meringues:
- Distribute your meringue pieces in little groups around the board, creating visual rhythm and ensuring every guest can easily reach one.
- Add optional touches:
- Scatter white grapes and almonds into any gaps, treating the board like you're adding the final brushstrokes to a painting.
- Apply the silver leaf:
- Using tweezers or a small brush, carefully lay delicate pieces of edible silver leaf onto some of the meringues and a few peach slices, aiming for a subtle, scattered effect rather than heavy coverage. This step takes barely two minutes and transforms the whole presentation.
- Serve right away:
- Bring the board to the table while everything is still fresh and gorgeous, and watch your guests become artists as they build their own flavor combinations.
Pin it What surprised me most about these boards is how they've become the centerpiece of several different gatherings, less about the food and more about the permission they seem to give people to slow down. There's something about white foods on white that just feels calm and luxurious all at once.
When to Serve This Board
This is an elegant opener to a dinner party, a stunning shower centerpiece, or the kind of thing you make when someone needs celebrating but you don't want to spend hours cooking. I've also made it as a delicate dessert board on occasions when fruit and meringue felt more right than cake, especially on warm evenings when you want something that nourishes without weighing you down.
Building Flavor Combinations
The beauty of this board is in its simplicity, which means each element shines individually and creates magic when combined. A piece of brie with a sliver of peach and a meringue kiss creates this perfect balance of creamy, juicy, and light, while a meringue alone gives you that delightful crunch that dissolves into sweetness. Some people will find their own combinations, maybe adding an almond, maybe just savoring each element separately.
Shortcuts and Swaps
Making meringues from scratch is meditative but unnecessary for this to be special, and I've assembled equally stunning boards with store-bought meringues in half the time. For vegan gatherings, aquafaba meringues have become genuinely excellent, and plant-based brie options have come far enough that most people won't notice the difference. You can also skip the silver leaf entirely and it will still be gorgeous, though adding it takes two minutes and creates conversation.
- Store-bought meringues eliminate the hour of baking and still deliver the exact same elegance and taste.
- A squeeze of lemon juice on peaches right before serving keeps them from browning if you need to prep ahead.
- If edible silver leaf feels too fussy, a small drizzle of honey or a sprinkle of pistachios creates visual interest without the extra step.
Pin it There's something about an all-white board that feels like a gentle luxury, the kind of thing that makes an ordinary afternoon feel special. Make this when you want people to feel celebrated without overwhelming them with effort.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I use store-bought meringue for this cheese board?
Yes, high-quality store-bought meringue kisses or nests can be used to save time without compromising the texture and flavor.
- → How should the brie be served for best taste?
Brie is best served slightly chilled to preserve its creamy texture and complement the freshness of the peaches and meringue.
- → What purpose does the edible silver leaf serve?
The edible silver leaf adds an elegant and celebratory visual accent, making the presentation more festive and sophisticated.
- → Can this board be made vegan-friendly?
Yes, by substituting the brie with a plant-based alternative and using aquafaba-based vegan meringues, this board can accommodate a vegan diet.
- → What are recommended accompaniments for this cheese board?
Optional accompaniments like white grapes and lightly toasted blanched almonds add variety in texture and flavor to complement the main components.