Save I discovered the magic of lavender boards during a late-spring visit to a Provence-inspired garden party, where a friend had arranged cheeses and fruits in shades I didn't know existed in food. The soft purples, blush pinks, and creamy whites created this almost dreamlike quality that made everyone pause before eating—and then couldn't stop reaching for more. That afternoon taught me that a cheese board could be poetry on a platter, not just sustenance.
I remember setting this board up for my sister's engagement brunch, and watching her face light up when she walked into the room. She said it looked like dessert and dinner had a beautiful conversation on one platter. Three guests asked for the 'recipe' that day, which made me laugh—there's something about sharing food that's this pretty that transforms ordinary moments.
Ingredients
- Lavender-infused goat cheese (150 g): This is the soul of the board. If you can't find it pre-infused, mix regular goat cheese with just a pinch of culinary lavender—less is more here, as lavender can quickly overwhelm. The tanginess of goat cheese balances the floral notes beautifully.
- Brie or triple cream cheese (120 g), sliced: The luxurious middle player. Creamy brie provides that indulgent mouthfeel that makes people close their eyes when they eat. Slice it just before serving so it looks fresh and inviting.
- Creamy white feta, cubed (100 g): Its salty minerality grounds all the sweetness and florals. Cube it gently to avoid crumbling—or embrace the crumbles; they actually look dreamier scattered about.
- Seedless purple grapes (1 cup): Your main color anchor. Leave some clustered, separate others into small groups. They catch light beautifully and offer refreshing bursts between bites of cheese.
- Fresh blueberries (1/2 cup): Tiny flavor and color gems. I've learned to pat these dry before placing them so they don't leave marks on the white cheeses.
- Pink dragon fruit, diced (1/2 cup): The unexpected guest that everyone asks about. Its pale pink color and delicate taste add intrigue without overpowering.
- Violet candies or purple-hued hard candies (1/3 cup): These are your whimsical touches. They add pops of jewel-toned color and a hint of sweetness. Choose candies with good flavor—they matter more than you'd think.
- Pastel Turkish delight or rose-flavored marshmallows (1/3 cup): Soft, dreamy, slightly floral. These bridge the gap between savory and sweet in the most elegant way.
- Pale crackers like water crackers or rice crackers (1/2 cup): The vehicles for your cheese adventure. Pale crackers let the colors shine instead of fighting for attention. Water crackers have a delicate crunch that doesn't overpower.
- Toasted almonds (1/4 cup): A textural contrast and subtle earthiness. Toasting them first deepens their flavor and makes them a more intentional choice on the board.
- Edible flowers—lavender, pansies, or violets: These transform the board from pretty into enchanting. Source them from reputable suppliers and confirm they're unsprayed. A few scattered strategically beats a heavy hand.
- Honey, for drizzling: A gentle drizzle over soft cheeses creates this glossy, inviting look. Use a small spoon to control the flow—drizzle thoughtfully, not generously.
Instructions
- Start with Your Cheese Foundation:
- Begin by arranging your three cheeses in soft, irregular clusters across your board. Don't aim for symmetry—cheese boards live in the space between intentional and organic. Place the lavender goat cheese in one area, the brie slices slightly overlapping in another, and cube the feta into its own gentle pile. Leave breathing room; you'll fill these spaces with color.
- Paint with Purple and Pink:
- Now scatter your grapes and blueberries as if you're adding brushstrokes to a canvas. Keep some grapes clustered together for visual weight, but separate others to create movement across the board. Nestle the pink dragon fruit pieces in between, letting their pale color create soft transitions.
- Add Your Whimsical Touches:
- Tuck the violet candies and Turkish delight among the cheeses and fruits. This is where the magic happens—these candies catch light and draw the eye. Scatter them with a light touch, creating little pockets of surprise rather than dense clusters.
- Ground It with Texture:
- Add small piles of pale crackers and toasted almonds, placing them where they'll be easy to reach but won't overshadow the softer elements. Stand a few crackers upright so they catch light like tiny sails.
- Finish with Flowers and Honey:
- Scatter your edible flowers last, placing them where they'll be most visible—perhaps near a cluster of white cheese or in an otherwise open area. A gentle drizzle of honey over the soft cheeses adds shimmer and richness. Serve immediately and watch your guests admire it before they taste it.
Pin it A dear friend once told me that serving a cheese board like this felt like sharing a mood rather than just food. She was right. I've noticed that when people gather around this particular arrangement, conversations linger longer, laughter comes easier, and everyone seems to slow down a little. There's something about pretty food that gives permission to savor moments.
The Art of Arrangement
Creating a beautiful cheese board isn't about culinary skill—it's about trusting your instincts and understanding negative space. Think of your board like a room you're decorating: every element needs air around it to breathe. The lavender hues work because they're balanced by creamy whites and soft pinks, not crammed together. I've learned that stepping back and squinting at your board helps—if it still looks cohesive and dreamy when you can't see details, you've nailed it. This particular board celebrates pastels and florals, so every choice reinforces that mood rather than fighting against it.
Wine and Pairing Wisdom
This board sings with a floral white wine—Gewürztraminer or Moscato are the obvious choices because they echo the lavender and rose notes in your cheeses and candies. But I've also served this with a dry Riesling and even a very light Prosecco, and both felt like a celebration. The key is choosing wines that are aromatic without being heavy. Light, floral, slightly sweet wines let the delicate flavors on the board shine instead of competing with them. If wine isn't your thing, sparkling water with fresh lemon or a chamomile tea creates a similarly ethereal experience.
Creating Your Own Lavender Moment
The beauty of this board is that it's deeply personal. Your version doesn't need to match mine exactly—it needs to feel true to you. Maybe you'll swap the blueberries for raspberries, or trade the rose-flavored marshmallows for white chocolate. The framework stays the same: soft cheeses, purple and pink fruits, pale crackers, and a handful of whimsical touches. I've learned that the best entertaining happens when you trust your tastes enough to riff on a recipe rather than follow it like scripture. This board is an invitation to play, not a test to pass.
- If you can't find lavender-infused goat cheese, mix regular goat cheese with just a tiny pinch of culinary lavender—start with less than you think you need.
- Prepare your board no more than 2 hours before serving; fresh fruit and soft cheese show their best face when arranged close to serving time.
- Always confirm your edible flowers are food-safe and unsprayed—this is the one rule that has no flexibility.
Pin it This cheese board is for moments when you want to feed people something that feels like an experience rather than just food. Serve it slowly, linger over it, and let it remind you that beautiful things deserve your attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → How do I infuse goat cheese with lavender?
Mix a pinch of culinary-grade lavender into soft goat cheese, allowing the flavors to meld for at least 30 minutes before serving.
- → What types of cheeses complement lavender flavor?
Creamy cheeses like brie, triple cream, and mild feta balance lavender's floral notes with smooth richness.
- → Can I substitute the violet candies with other sweets?
Yes, rose-flavored marshmallows or pastel-colored Turkish delights offer similar sweet, floral accents.
- → What are good beverage pairings for this board?
Floral white wines such as Gewürztraminer or Moscato enhance the delicate flavors and aromas of the board.
- → How should I arrange the ingredients for best presentation?
Place cheeses in soft, irregular clusters, then scatter fruits and candies loosely around. Add crackers and nuts in small piles and finish with edible flowers and a honey drizzle.