Southwest Mesa Cheese Stacks (Print Version)

Layers of assorted cheeses and crisp crackers stacked for a flavorful Southwest-inspired snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crackers

01 - 24 assorted crackers (e.g., 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 (pepitas)

# How to Make It:

01 - Prepare cheese slices slightly smaller than the crackers to allow stacking and visual appeal.
02 - On a large serving platter, alternate crackers and cheese slices, varying types and heights from 3 to 7 layers, to resemble flat-topped rock formations.
03 - Incorporate different cheese types within each stack to enhance flavor and appearance.
04 - Nestle bell pepper slices, cilantro, and jalapeño slices between layers or atop stacks for color and freshness.
05 - Sprinkle toasted pumpkin seeds around the base of the stacks to simulate desert floor texture.
06 - Serve immediately or cover loosely and refrigerate until ready to serve.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • It looks like an edible sculpture but takes barely fifteen minutes, making you look far more impressive than you actually are.
  • Everyone gets to eat straight from the towers they helped build, which somehow makes food taste better.
  • The mix of cheeses and textures means there's something for every cheese preference without needing separate components.
02 -
  • Cold cheese is slippery and won't stick to crackers; if you have time, let your sliced cheese sit out for ten minutes so it's pliable enough to actually stay where you put it.
  • The order you build matters less than consistency—once you find a stacking rhythm that works, stick with it, because changing it halfway through makes towers feel wobbly.
03 -
  • Bring everything to room temperature before assembling—warm cheese is forgiving and sticks to itself, while cold cheese just slides around and frustrates you.
  • Toast your own pumpkin seeds if you have time; the smell while they're toasting is part of the whole experience, and homemade always tastes better than store-bought.
Go Back