Gilded Cage Breadsticks Cheese (Printable)

A delicate dome of breadsticks wrapped around a selection of luxurious cheeses, perfect for elegant entertaining.

# What You Need:

→ Breadsticks

01 - 2 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast
03 - 1 teaspoon sugar
04 - 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
05 - 2/3 cup lukewarm water
06 - 2 tablespoons olive oil
07 - 1 egg yolk (for glaze)
08 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for garnish)

→ Cheese Selection

09 - 3.5 ounces triple-cream Brie, cut into cubes
10 - 3.5 ounces aged Comté, cut into cubes
11 - 2.8 ounces truffled goat cheese, rolled into small balls
12 - 2.8 ounces blue cheese (such as Roquefort), crumbled
13 - 1.75 ounces Parmigiano Reggiano, shaved

→ Accompaniments (optional)

14 - 1 small bunch seedless red grapes
15 - 2 tablespoons honey or fig jam
16 - Fresh herbs (thyme, rosemary), for garnish

# How To Make It:

01 - Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Add lukewarm water and olive oil, then mix until a dough forms. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
02 - Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
03 - Preheat oven to 390°F. Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
04 - Divide the dough into 18 to 20 pieces. Roll each piece into a thin stick approximately 1/8 inch thick and 10 inches long.
05 - Place breadsticks on the tray. Brush lightly with egg yolk and sprinkle with sesame seeds if using.
06 - Bake for 15 to 18 minutes, turning once, until golden and crisp. Allow to cool completely.
07 - On a serving platter, arrange cheeses in a mound at the center. Add grapes, honey or fig jam, and garnish with fresh herbs if desired.
08 - Carefully construct a dome by leaning breadsticks around and over the cheese mound for support. For additional stability, gently press breadsticks into the cheese or assemble around a small bowl, removing the bowl afterward.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It looks restaurant-worthy but comes together in under an hour with minimal fuss.
  • Your guests can build their own bites by snapping off breadsticks and pairing them with whichever cheese calls to them.
  • The contrast between crispy, warm breadsticks and cool, creamy cheeses feels impossibly luxurious.
02 -
  • Breadsticks must cool completely before assembly or they'll soften and won't support the structure—I learned this the messy way.
  • Room-temperature cheeses are your secret weapon; they'll be creamy and spreadable rather than hard and unyielding.
  • The dome doesn't need to be perfectly symmetrical; a few gaps actually add to the charm and make people more likely to break into it.
03 -
  • Make the breadsticks a few hours ahead so they're completely cool and crisp by assembly time—warm breadsticks will bend instead of hold their shape.
  • If you want to get fancy, very lightly brush a few breadsticks with edible gold leaf before baking for subtle shimmer that catches the light.
  • Substitute your favorite cheeses fearlessly; Manchego, aged cheddar, or Taleggio all work beautifully and let you personalize the flavor story.
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