Whimsical nut berry platter (Printable Version)

Crisp crackers encircle a flavorful mix of nuts and berries, creating a colorful, shareable snack.

# What You Need:

→ Crackers (The Fence)

01 - 20–24 rectangular or oval whole wheat crackers (such as Melba toasts or water crackers)

→ Garden Mix

02 - 1/2 cup raw almonds
03 - 1/2 cup walnut halves
04 - 1/2 cup shelled pistachios
05 - 1/2 cup dried cranberries
06 - 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
07 - 1/2 cup fresh raspberries
08 - 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots

→ Optional Garnishes

09 - 2 tablespoons honey or agave syrup (for drizzling)
10 - Fresh mint leaves

# How to Make It:

01 - Select a large, flat serving platter or board for assembly.
02 - Position crackers upright, side by side, around the platter perimeter forming a continuous picket fence. Slightly angle inward for stability if needed.
03 - In a medium bowl, gently mix almonds, walnuts, pistachios, dried cranberries, blueberries, raspberries, and dried apricots until evenly distributed.
04 - Spoon the combined garden mix into the center of the cracker fence, allowing a loose, abundant presentation.
05 - Lightly drizzle honey or agave syrup over the garden mix if preferred.
06 - Decorate with fresh mint leaves to enhance color and aroma.
07 - Present immediately, encouraging guests to scoop from the center using crackers for dipping or accompaniment.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks showstopping but takes just 10 minutes, leaving you actually present with your guests instead of stuck in the kitchen.
  • Every cracker becomes a little vehicle for whatever combination of nuts and berries calls to you—textural chaos in the best way.
  • The visual impact is genuine; there's something deeply satisfying about the geometry of it, the way order (the fence) meets abundance (the center).
02 -
  • Add fresh berries no more than 30 minutes before serving, or they'll weep and soften the crackers; raspberries especially need this timing respect.
  • The angle of those crackers matters more than it sounds—even a small slant inward makes them look intentional and prevents the platter from feeling like an accident.
03 -
  • Slightly chill your nuts in the fridge for 20 minutes before assembling so they stay crisp longer and don't absorb moisture from the berries.
  • Use a wooden board if you have one—the warmth of wood makes nuts and berries look like they belong to a landscape rather than just a plate.
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