# What You'll Need:
→ Owl Crackers
01 - 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
03 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
04 - 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
05 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
06 - 1/2 cup finely grated sharp cheddar cheese
07 - 1/4 cup cold water
08 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (for decoration)
09 - 12 whole black peppercorns or sliced black olives (for owl eyes)
→ Cheeses
10 - 3.5 oz Brie, sliced
11 - 3.5 oz aged Gouda, sliced
12 - 3.5 oz goat cheese, crumbled
13 - 3.5 oz blue cheese, crumbled
→ Fruits & Nuts
14 - 1 small bunch seedless grapes
15 - 1 small apple, thinly sliced
16 - 1 small pear, thinly sliced
17 - 1/2 cup dried apricots
18 - 1/2 cup walnuts
19 - 1/2 cup roasted almonds
→ Garnishes
20 - Fresh rosemary sprigs
21 - Edible flowers (optional)
# Cooking Steps:
01 - In a bowl, whisk together flour, salt, black pepper, and thyme. Add cold butter and rub in with fingertips until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in cheddar cheese. Gradually add cold water, mixing until soft dough forms. Wrap dough in plastic and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Roll dough to 1/8-inch thickness, cut owl shapes with cookie cutter or knife. Decorate with sesame seeds and black peppercorns or olive slices for eyes. Arrange crackers on baking sheet and bake 12 to 15 minutes until golden. Cool completely.
02 - On a large wooden board or platter, arrange slices and crumbles of assorted cheeses in separate sections. Place cooled owl crackers around and between cheeses. Add clusters of sliced apple, pear, grapes, dried apricots, walnuts, and almonds in small piles. Garnish with fresh rosemary sprigs and optional edible flowers to evoke a forest theme.
