Picket Fence Snack Platter (Print Version)

A colorful cracker 'fence' encircles a flavorful medley of nuts and berries for easy serving.

# What You'll Need:

→ Crackers (The Fence)

01 - 20-24 rectangular or oval whole wheat crackers (e.g., Melba toasts or water crackers)

→ Garden Mix

02 - ½ cup raw almonds
03 - ½ cup walnut halves
04 - ½ cup shelled pistachios
05 - ½ cup dried cranberries
06 - ½ cup fresh blueberries
07 - ½ cup fresh raspberries
08 - ¼ cup chopped dried apricots

→ Optional Garnishes

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

# Cooking Steps:

01 - Place a large, flat serving platter or wooden board on your preparation area.
02 - Position the crackers upright side by side around the platter’s perimeter to create a continuous picket fence, angling them slightly inward for stability.
03 - In a medium bowl, gently mix almonds, walnuts, pistachios, dried cranberries, fresh blueberries, fresh raspberries, and chopped dried apricots until evenly combined.
04 - Spoon the nut and berry mixture into the center of the cracker fence, ensuring a loose and abundant presentation.
05 - Lightly drizzle honey or agave syrup over the garden mix if desired, then sprinkle fresh mint leaves for aroma and color contrast.
06 - Present immediately, encouraging guests to scoop from the center and enjoy using crackers as dippers or accompaniments.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It looks like you spent hours when you really spent ten minutes.
  • Everyone finds something they love in the center, so there's no awkward standing around wondering what to eat.
  • It's the kind of thing you can make while someone's on their way over, no advance planning required.
02 -
  • Fresh raspberries are delicate—add them in the last few minutes before serving or they'll weep juice into everything and change the whole vibe.
  • Slightly angling the crackers inward makes all the difference between a fence that stands confidently and one that slowly tilts like a ship sinking.
03 -
  • Buy the best quality nuts you can find—their freshness makes a noticeable difference in how bright the whole platter tastes.
  • If crackers keep falling, you're not angling them enough, or your platter is too slippery; a wooden board with a slight grip beats a glossy ceramic every time.
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